Get a specialist to tell you what solar power supplies work for the system at your site

The benefits to using solar power are two-fold: help the environment with clean, "green" energy and save yourself money on electricity. Be clear about these goals with the contractor you choose to perform an assessment so he recommends only power supplies that contribute to both of these goals in the most cost-effective way.

I recommend: Intota is an expert consulting organization whose solar supply experts have scientific, engineering and technical expertise. Green Collar is a database of sustainability professionals and consultants in every solar electric specialty dedicated to green energy. Consultants are listed by geographic location.

Research available photovoltaic power government incentives and subsidies

Local, state and federal government often offer incentives and subsidies for installing and using solar power supplies. Sometimes the benefits are for the solar supplies and solar power equipment itself. Research what price and tax breaks are available to make the cost of installing solar power equipment at your business more affordable.

I recommend: The Solar Energy Industries Association provides information about federal tax credits for installation and use of solar energy. The Tax Incentives Assistance Project is an information resource geared toward helping businesses take advantage of the tax incentives provided by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Locate reputable distributors of photovoltaic power supplies

Once you have your business outfitted with a solar energy system, it's time to order the solar power supply and integrate it into the system. Look for reputable distributors who know their business, know their product, and offer warranties and service after the sale.

I recommend: The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) maintains a member database of professionals in the solar electric specialties dealing in both electricity and heat storage. Plug in a city and state, select "Distributor/Dealer" and select "Category" to find ASES member distributors of solar supplies in an area who supply batteries and electrical energy storage, electrical power inverters, battery chargers, charge controllers and back-up generators. Find Solar, a collaborative effort of the American Solar Energy Society, Energy Matters and the federal Department of Energy, provides a database of pre-screened distributors and other photovoltaic suppliers in the solar electric specialties.