Do Nothing Calculator For Commercial Properties
With some basic information you can see how much you’ll be spending on energy in the future. While a solar installation is a sizeable investment, this calculator can show you how much you could be saving on energy in the future.
Step 1: Fill in the orange outlined boxes on the calculator with your information
Step 2: Review your potential energy bills at different inflation rates over 5 years
Step 3: Click on a calculator and find out how much a solar installation could save you
Annual Energy Usage (kWh)
Your total electricity usage in a year.
Electricity Rate (£ per kWh)
Your current electricity rate per kilowatt hour.
Annual energy costs if nothing is done (£)
| Inflation Rate | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2% | ||||||
| 4% | ||||||
| 6% | ||||||
| 8% |
What is the cost of doing nothing?
When considering commercial solar, it's easy to focus on the upfront cost of installing a system. However, there is also a potential cost associated with waiting. Every year your business continues to purchase electricity from the grid is another year in which you could be missing out on potential solar savings. The longer an investment is delayed, the longer those potential savings remain unrealised. Our Do Nothing Calculator is designed to help you put an indicative figure against that opportunity cost.
Why calculate the cost of waiting?
The cost of doing nothing can include:
- Potential solar savings that are not realised
- Continued reliance on grid electricity
- Continued exposure to electricity prices
- Delayed return on investment
- Delayed carbon reduction
This calculator gives you a starting point for understanding what delaying a commercial solar investment could mean for your business.
The figures shown are estimates based on the information provided and should be used as an initial guide rather than a formal financial forecast.
Find how much you could be saving with a solar installation
Commercial Solar Do Nothing Calculator FAQ
What is the purpose of this calculator?
The Commercial Solar Do Nothing Calculator is designed to help businesses understand the potential financial impact of delaying a solar investment. It provides an indication of potential savings that could be missed by continuing to purchase electricity from the grid.
What does "doing nothing" mean?
For this calculator, “doing nothing” means continuing with your current energy arrangements rather than installing a commercial solar PV system.
The calculator uses this as a baseline to estimate the potential opportunity cost of delaying a solar investment.
What is the cost of doing nothing?
The cost of doing nothing is the potential financial benefit that your business could miss by delaying a solar investment. This can include potential electricity savings that could have been generated by a solar PV system.
Is the cost of doing nothing the same as the cost of solar?
No. The cost of installing solar is the investment required for the system.
The cost of doing nothing is an opportunity cost — the potential savings or benefits that may not be realised if the investment is delayed.
Does delaying solar really cost money?
It can. If a solar system could reduce your business’s electricity costs, delaying installation means delaying those potential savings.
The actual impact will depend on your electricity usage, electricity rate, solar system size, generation and other project factors.
Can electricity prices affect the cost of doing nothing?
Yes. Electricity prices are an important factor when assessing the potential financial benefit of solar. Changes in future electricity prices can therefore affect the potential cost of delaying an investment.
Are the values accurate?
The figures produced by this calculator are estimates based on the information and assumptions used. Actual project performance and financial returns will depend on your site, energy consumption, electricity tariff, system design and other factors.
The calculator is intended as an initial guide and should not be treated as a formal financial forecast.
What happens after I use the calculator?
If you’d like to understand the potential solar opportunity for your business in more detail, Energy Gain can review your results and carry out a more detailed assessment of your site and energy requirements.
Can I finance a commercial solar installation?
Yes. Commercial solar can be funded in a number of ways depending on your circumstances, including capital expenditure and commercial finance options.
The most appropriate approach will depend on your business and the structure of the proposed project.
Why should I calculate the cost of doing nothing?
Calculating the cost of doing nothing gives you another way to look at a solar investment.
Instead of only asking “How much will solar cost?”, you can also consider “What could we be missing by waiting?”
This can help provide a more complete picture when assessing a potential commercial solar investment.
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