Risks

When a company or other entity considers converting to solar energy, it faces risks in these major areas:

• Price
• Corporations have a fiduciary responsibility to maximize profits; any solar conversion has to make sense in terms of the company's energy costs.
• Policy
• Utilities and energy production is a highly regulated area; different levels of government (municipal, state and federal in the U.S.) are likely to have different structures; sustainability officers and other change agents need to be well aware of the regulatory context in which they're operating.
• Resource allocation
• For example, companies open themselves up to risk regarding a range of real estate development questions when they consider building solar facilities: 
• Is the area in question isolated?
• What is its bankability?
• What is the life span of the area? In other words, is the building an old or a new building? Does it require retrofitting? Does it need to be torn down? Does the land hold long-term value? Are there options to move a system if the land needs change?
• Each of these questions entails risk that needs to be weighed carefully.
  

Opportunities

When a company or other entity considers converting to solar energy it enjoys opportunities in these major areas:

• Potential for cost savings on energy long-term.
  
• Access to a more stable energy supply through having distributed sources or power.
• Ability to get ahead of any future mandates regarding sustainable energy policy.
  
• PR and marketing opportunities around its "green" posture.
• Serving investor interest in sustainability.
  
• The opportunity to make corporate citizenship a part of the company DNA.
  
• Helping our planet as we face the emerging difficulties related to climate change.