Context

The most common way to make a Solar install cost effective.  The power feeds into the building first and back to the grid when over producing.  A special utility meter will track how much was sent to the grid and credit your bill, potentially giving a negative balance.  Limited to 99% of total annual use.

Typical payback is now 7 years or less.  An "Order of Magnitude" estimate is 7 times the annual electric bill.  Especially well suited sites and incentives may drop the payback to only 2 years!

Feeling good about your power supply is nice but business also needs a good ROI.  Working with Toledo & Lucas County Port Authority, usually enables long term financing that will provide savings starting in the first year.  Many systems will yield 300% or better ROI.

On a per panel basis, the peak power produced when receiving full sun (generally noon in summer).  On a system basis, the total collection of panels.  However, when they are not oriented consistently, will not hit that peak all together.  My home system is 8.97 kW, with half East, half West.

Common cost comparison across installations as $/Watt, for Installed Price per Nameplate Size.  My home system Installed Price was $32,740 (before incentives) for $3.65/W.  On par for Residential, while Commercial will be significantly better.

Levelized Cost of Electricity provides a comparison against other suppliers, by extrapolating the final system cost over the lifespan production.  My utility charges $0.108kWh versus my LCOE $0.093kWh.  Commercial may achieve $0.050kWh, HALF the cost for electricity.