Adding Solar Panels to Self-Storage Facilities

Two great things that go well together: self-storage and solar panels. More and more self-storage facilities are investing in solar panel installations lately. Both bug name storage facilities and neighborhood locals are looking into solar panel installation to not only save money on their bills, but make money on their investment. Using the existing storage space on the roof of storage facilities is a great way to capitalize on current state and federal government rebates and tax incentives. In states like California, Colorado and New Jersey, self-storage facilities are added solar panels to their roofing systems daily. With the average payback rate falling lower and lower it is a great investment for every self-storage facility manager.

When adding solar panels to a storage facility you should consider cost, design and aesthetics. The design of the system is up to your solar contractor. Solar contractors are trained in designing solar systems that will take advantage of existing buildings to get the best results possible. The size of the solar system is based on energy use and ability to sell the stored energy back to the grid. You facility may require a larger system if you have a live-in onsite manager, climate controlled units or 24-hour lighting systems. These are all factors that will be considered when defining which size solar field is best for your storage facility.

There are a few different design options for your self-storage solar installation which will fit just about every type of building and roofing design.  The mounting of the solar panels can be done with a few methods: direct attach, ground mount or ballasted mount. Direct attach solar systems attach directly to the roof of the storage facility. Ballasted systems use weights to keep the panels in place meaning that no holes need to be put of the roof on the facility, lessening the chance of leaks. Finlay ground mounted solar panels are just as you would imagine, mounted on the ground.


The best option for most self-storage facilities is the ballasted mount solar system. Managers who choose to install these systems see a rise in income and a reduction in energy cost- a win win. 

Guarding Against Self-Storage Perils: Facility Managers Deter Crime and Ensure Personal Safety

 Operating a self-storage facility shouldn't be a perilous job, but it can involve certain dangers, particularly if you live on site. Every operator faces the potential of crime including break-ins, vandalism and illegal activity on behalf of tenants. There's even the possibility of experiencing a robbery, which seems to be a more common occurrence in the industry.

Be a Better Facility Operator, Make More Money
Make the most of your business by following the best management tips and strategies.

Strangely, in this age where most customers pay with debit and credit cards, storage facilities still keep petty cash on the property; and in some markets, they cater to a tenant base that's largely cash and carry. This can entice a criminal element who understands that storage-management offices are generally low-traffic venues with very little staff. It's easy for a robber to enter the property and pose as a customer until he sees his window of opportunity. Here's just a sampling of crimes reported on insideselfstorage.com in recent years:

    In February, a man threatened a self-storage employee in Oklahoma City, Okla., and made off with an unknown amount of cash. Although he did not produce a weapon, the manager told police she was afraid the man might hurt her.
    Last August an armed robber held up a facility in Corpus Christi, Texas, escaping with an employee’s purse.
    In March 2012, at least six suspects held a self-storage security guard at gunpoint in Brooklyn while stealing from storage units.
    The owner of a self-storage facility in Columbia, Calif., was robbed at gunpoint in June 2011. A man walked into the office around noon and demanded money. Later that month, an operator in Brockton, Mass., was also robbed at gunpoint.

The Benefits of Wine Storage

Whether your a sommelier or a weekend wine enthusiast, buying wine in bulk is a great way to save money. It is typically cheaper to buy wine by the case rather than the bottle and for people with a favorite wine or a collection buying and storing their wine is the best way to save. Wine cannot be stored in just any storage space. It can go bad fairly easily if not stored properly. Many people turn to self-storage facilities that specialize in wine storage when their collections grow too large to keep on the kitchen wine rack.

Wine bought in bulk is delivered in a box or crate. The wine that is delivered in wooden crates travel well but when you are storing wine for any amount of time a more sturdy option is desirable. If you leave wine upright for too long you risk losing the wine. When stored upright, even at a Denver storage facility, corks will quickly dry out especially when stored in dry climates. When the cork dries, it could let air in and even begin disintegrating into your wine ruining it completely. In self-storage facilities that specialize in wine storage, strong racks are installed to keep the wine at the proper angle to ensure the cork stays moist. Wine storage lockers should be in an area away from any machines or vehicles that cause vibrations, but the storage shelves should also be strong enough to sustain if vibrations do occur.

Increasing Energy Efficiency of Self-Storage Facilities

The building envelope of a Denver storage facilities can save the owners boat loads of cash, or cost them greatly. Energy costs aren't the only concern when discussing the facilities envelope. The comfort of the storage clients is also dependent on the building design as well. In the summer storage units can become ovens with internal temperatures rising to 20 and even 30 degrees above the outside temperature and in the winter stored items, especially electronics, could be damaged from the cold. Properly sealing and insulating the facilities envelope helps keep precipitation out and stored items safe.

Storage units are rarely air tight. The envelope (or floor, ceiling and walls) of Denver storage lockers often let in dust and dirt. The walls on self-storage units are typicall made of thin metals, like aluminum or masonry walls. Most of the wall space on these units are part of the garage-style door. These doors are made of thin metal and usually aren't insulated at all.

If you live in a climate similar to that in Denver, Colorado you need to think about climate controlled storage lockers. Denver has a wide range of extreme weather including snow storms and extreme heat. That means that you need a storage facility that can protect against water damage and extreme temperature fluctuations. Insulation is the best way to keep Denver storage units at a reasonable temperature.

To insulate the facility first you can insulate the walls and piers of the building. There are a few ways to add insulation to the interior of these walls. For masonry walls you can add insulation to the cells that aren't filled with grout or use furring strips to the inside of the walls and foam-board insulation between them. If you are looking for a more finished look for your storage facility, covering the insulation with gypsum board will help you to achieve that look. Spray foam insulation is another great option for insulating self-storage units. If the buildings are constructed from metal, the foam insulation is a great option among many.