By Beth Mattson-Teig
The self-storage industry is still in the early adopter stage when it comes to rooftop solar. But that interest is growing along with a stronger financial case for adding the renewable energy source. Several savvy independent RV and boat storage developers have also 
recognized the benefits of solar and are incorporating them into the building plans from the get-go.
Major REITs such as Extra Space Storage, CubeSmart and the non-traded Strategic Storage Trust have all introduced rooftop solar within their portfolios. Independent operators also are following suit. For example, Denver-based Greenbox Self Storage now operates four solar-powered facilities in Colorado.
Owners are attracted to the ROI solar projects offer. Climate-controlled facilities tend to be a good candidate for solar because they use lots of electricity, says Stephen Oman, sales executive at IPS Solar.
Oman estimates that rooftop solar added to multi-story Class A facilities can offset annual electrical consumption as much as 60% to even fully “net zero” buildings with energy produced via solar that covers 100% of energy use. The concept was a welcomed revelation for Bob Hayworth, founder of Baja Construction, who successfully pioneered solar design into the company’s canopy designs for RV and boat storage and has preached its buyback benefits for years.
Solar panel array installed by Safari Energy on an Extra Space Storage facility.
Going mainstream
Many owners and operators still think adding solar is very expensive, Oman says. However, the reality is that solar is cheaper than ever, plus property owners can access federal and state incentives. “I think you are going to see that natural market cycle move from early adopters to mainstream, but I would still classify it as early adopters,” Oman said.
Current government incentives include a 30% federal tax credit, as well as any incentives offered at the state level. For example, Arizona offers a 10% state tax credit with a $25,000 maximum deduction. Owners also can take a tax deduction on the depreciation of the total cost of install. Due to new tax law changes, owners can take all of that depreciation in year one versus spreading it over six years.
Faster ROI
Given the new tax deductions, the ROI for installing solar at self-storage facilities in Arizona is typically between five and eight years versus seven to 10 years in the past, according to Anthony Santana, business development manager, commercial division at Sun Valley Solar in Chandler, AZ.
“Now the return on investment looks a lot more appealing,” he said.
Those savings are occurring broadly across the United States, not just in the Sunbelt.
“The Upper Midwest has seen considerable growth in commercial and industrial rooftop solar due the continuing decline in the cost of rooftop solar, plus the attractive solar incentives currently available from the major utilities,” said Oman.
Higher energy costs states, such as California and New Jersey, also provide a strong incentive for solar energy as it provides a favorable payback for adding solar.
Beth Mattson-Teig is a freelance business writer and editor in Minneapolis. She specializes in commercial real estate and finance topics, and writes for several national trade publications and business journals.
