The Energy Quarterback
for Industrial Facilities
SPM does not quote panels. We build 30-year energy strategies for plants and manufacturers: solar, battery, demand management, process-load efficiency, ComEd Energy Efficiency Programs, and full incentive coordination.
We verify what is real, identify what is missing, and give you and your banker a plan you can actually rely on.
- 30% Federal ITC
- 100% Bonus Depreciation
- ComEd EEP Custom Incentives
- Banker & CPA Coordination
30%
Federal ITC
100%
Bonus Depreciation
$0 Down
C-PACE / Bank Financing
25 yrs
Panel Warranty
The Industrial Difference
Industrial Load Is Not Office Load With a Bigger Number
Process loads, demand charges, higher-voltage service, and heavy machinery require a different analysis and a different kind of advisor.
We read the actual bill
Demand charges, rate class, service voltage, and meter count: we verify everything before any design begins.
We profile the process load
Motors, compressed air, and refrigeration behave differently than office load. We model your real duty cycle, not a generic curve.
We evaluate batteries by default
Not when you ask. For every industrial project, SPM analyzes whether storage cuts demand charges or protects critical process loads.
We separate guaranteed from estimated
Utility savings are guaranteed. Tax incentives depend on your tax position. We never bundle them into a single number your banker has to untangle.
We work with your team
SPM provides documentation your plant engineer, lender, and CPA need. We help everyone get comfortable, not just the owner.
We identify risk before you sign
Interconnection complexity, roof condition, structural load, and permit timelines are disclosed upfront, not discovered after contract.
Our Process
How SPM Approaches Industrial Projects
Verify the actual numbers
We review 12 months of bills, confirm all meter numbers, and request 15-minute interval data. We don't size a system from assumptions.
Map your process load
Motors, compressed air, refrigeration, pumps, and machinery drive both demand and usage. We profile how and when your plant actually draws power.
Evaluate the full efficiency stack
Variable-frequency drives, compressed-air fixes, lighting, controls, and process cooling reduce your load before we size solar. Smaller systems cost less and perform better.
Build two solar cases
A solar-only option and a solar-plus-battery option, each sized against roof and ground-mount potential. Both include honest limitations, not just upsides.
Coordinate incentives accurately
ITC, Illinois Shines/SRECs, ComEd EEP rebates, depreciation, and Section 179 are modeled separately from guaranteed utility savings. We never bundle them into one number.
Handle interconnection and permits
We manage utility interconnection, municipal permits, and coordination start to finish, including higher-voltage service reviews. No surprises at the end of the project.
The Full Stack
Every Tool in the Energy Strategy
Industrial Solar
Roof and ground-mount systems sized to your process load and demand data, not roof space alone.
Battery Storage
Demand charge management, critical process backup, and interconnection flexibility. Evaluated on every project.
HVAC & Process Heating
Rooftop unit replacement, heat pumps, and demand-controlled ventilation. ComEd HVAC incentives available in Illinois.
ComEd EEP
Custom and Standard incentive pathways for motors, drives, compressed air, refrigeration, lighting, and controls.
Envelope Upgrades
Reduce heating and cooling load on conditioned space and qualify for potential ComEd custom incentives.
ITC & Incentive Coordination
ITC documentation, Illinois Shines/SREC modeling, depreciation schedules, and CPA/banker coordination.
FAQ
Industrial Questions
How is industrial solar different from commercial solar?
Industrial facilities run high, sustained process loads: motors, compressed air, refrigeration, pumps, and heavy machinery. Demand charges are often a large share of the bill, and service is usually higher voltage and three-phase. SPM analyzes 15-minute interval data and your process load profile before sizing anything, because a system that cuts kWh but not peak demand can save far less than expected.
Can solar realistically offset a large plant load?
It depends on your roof area, available ground, and load profile. Many industrial sites have large roof spans or adjacent land that support sizable ground-mount arrays. We model how much of your load solar can actually cover, and we pair it with efficiency and battery storage where that produces a better return than solar alone.
What is the 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit for industrial solar?
The ITC lets a business deduct 30% of the solar system cost directly from federal taxes. On a $1,000,000 system, that is $300,000 off your tax bill, not just a deduction. The credit is still available: projects generally need to be placed in service by December 31, 2027 to claim the full 30%, and starting construction sooner (safe harbor) helps lock in eligibility. SPM documents the project for ITC eligibility and coordinates with your CPA on depreciation and Section 179 treatment.
What ComEd incentives apply to industrial facilities?
ComEd's Energy Efficiency Program offers Standard, Custom, and Retro-Commissioning incentives for industrial systems: motors and drives, compressed air, refrigeration, process cooling, lighting, and controls. These are Illinois programs. SPM reviews every project for EEP eligibility before finalizing solar sizing, because cutting your load first often makes the solar system smaller and cheaper.
How does SPM handle industrial interconnection?
Industrial interconnection is the most complex tier. It can involve distribution or transmission-level engineering review, transformer and switchgear considerations, line-side vs. load-side taps, and a formal interconnection agreement. SPM reviews your service equipment and manages the interconnection application as part of the project scope.
Does SPM work with our plant engineer, CPA, and banker?
Yes. SPM provides documentation that separates guaranteed utility savings from estimated incentives, so your banker can underwrite with confidence and your plant engineer can validate the load assumptions. We coordinate with your CPA on ITC, depreciation, Section 179, and 179D treatment. We do not replace your tax counsel, we make their job easier.
Ready to Get Started?
Request an Industrial Energy Assessment
We will review your bills, profile your process load, identify every incentive, and give you a plan your banker and CPA can actually use.
Start the AssessmentNo commitment. No pressure. Just honest numbers.
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