Solar Energy Audit

In many corporate environments, upgrades to a facility’s energy infrastructure must compete with other non-energy-related investments for capital funding. Both types of investments are evaluated using a common set of financial criteria, typically emphasizing the expected return on investment (ROI). For energy projects to secure funding, their projected operating savings must be presented with a high degree of accuracy and confidence. In many cases, investors require guaranteed savings to mitigate risk. The investment-grade audit, also known as a comprehensive audit, detailed audit, maxi audit, or technical analysis audit, builds on the general audit by creating a dynamic model of the facility’s energy use. This model represents both the current energy performance of the facility and the potential improvements from identified energy conservation measures (ECMs). The model is calibrated using actual utility data to establish a reliable baseline for calculating the operating savings of proposed measures. This audit places significant focus on analyzing the operating characteristics of all energy-consuming systems and identifying factors that drive variations in energy load profiles on both an annual and daily basis. Utility data is further enhanced with sub-metering of major energy-consuming systems and detailed monitoring of system performance. This approach provides the comprehensive data and analysis necessary to justify and support high-confidence investment decisions.