Storing goods in a solar-powered warehouse can offer significant advantages for businesses—from aligning with sustainability goals to supporting greener supply chains. But when exploring solar warehousing options, many companies overlook the potential hidden fees that can come with leasing warehouse space from solar-powered providers.
To be clear: these fees don’t apply to every provider. At some warehouses, clients may be expected to shoulder costs that go beyond basic storage fees, especially when solar infrastructure is involved. Here are some of the most common hidden fees associated with solar-powered warehouses—and how to avoid them.
1. Installation and Setup Costs Passed to Tenants
In some solar warehouse lease agreements, businesses may be asked to contribute to the cost of installing or maintaining solar energy systems—especially if the provider offers “custom green leasing” options.
Watch for:
Additional charges for solar panel installation
Fees related to grid integration or infrastructure upgrades
At EVFY: You won’t be asked to cover any solar setup costs. Our pricing is simple and straightforward—you pay for warehouse storage space, not for energy infrastructure.
2. Unclear Responsibilities for Maintenance
Solar systems require upkeep, but not every lease agreement clearly states who handles or pays for it. In some cases, tenants could be expected to contribute to ongoing maintenance of the solar infrastructure.
Questions to ask:
Does the warehouse provider expect tenants to share in maintenance costs?
Are cleaning, inspections, and system repairs charged back?
At EVFY: Our solar infrastructure is 100% managed in-house. Clients never receive additional charges related to solar maintenance.
3. Insurance Fees Tied to Solar Systems
Some warehouse leases require tenants to secure additional insurance coverage for the solar system, especially if it’s installed above or integrated with their rented space.
Potential hidden cost:
Insurance premiums for solar equipment on top of standard warehouse insurance
At EVFY: Our facility is fully insured. Clients are not required to cover or insure the solar infrastructure.
4. Energy Surcharges or Escalation Clauses
Ironically, some solar-powered warehouses impose surcharges or include escalation clauses tied to energy prices—even though they rely on renewable energy. These increases might not be immediately obvious in the lease.
Things to check:
Are there clauses that allow energy cost markups?
Does the provider adjust rent based on utility market rates?
At EVFY: We don’t pass energy costs to clients or adjust pricing based on energy consumption. Our warehouse rental rates are fixed and fully inclusive of energy usage.
5. End-of-Lease Decommissioning Fees
In leases involving solar infrastructure, tenants may be expected to pay for the removal or decommissioning of solar systems once the lease ends. This is especially common in cases where solar systems were installed during the lease.
What to watch for:
Decommissioning fees buried in the fine print
Responsibility for dismantling solar infrastructure
At EVFY: Our solar infrastructure is part of our core facility and has nothing to do with individual client leases. No decommissioning costs are passed on.
6. Property Tax-Related Adjustments
In certain jurisdictions, solar panel installations may raise the property’s assessed value, which can trigger increased property taxes. Some providers attempt to pass these increases to tenants.
What to ask:
Does the lease mention shared responsibility for rising property taxes?
Are taxes tied to the building’s solar upgrades?
At EVFY: We do not charge clients for any property tax adjustments related to our solar infrastructure.
7. Grid Dependency and Supplemental Utility Charges
Not all solar-powered warehouses are fully self-sustaining. Some still rely on the grid during low solar production periods, and the associated costs may be passed along to tenants.
Look out for:
Charges for grid electricity used during peak hours or poor weather
Minimum usage fees tied to energy backup systems
At EVFY: Our solar-powered system is managed internally. Any supplemental utility use is covered by us, not by our clients.
8. Early Termination Penalties
Some solar-powered warehouse providers include steep penalties for early termination—especially if solar-related amortization is built into the lease.
Things to clarify:
Are there penalties for ending your lease early?
Are solar-related costs tied to your term commitment?
At EVFY: Our storage agreements are straightforward. There are no solar-related termination fees.
9. Fees for Upgrades or Expansion
If your storage needs grow, some providers may charge you extra to move to a different area of the warehouse—especially if it involves solar infrastructure adjustments.
Ask:
Will expanding storage space incur additional solar fees?
Are changes to your lease tied to energy upgrades?
At EVFY: We offer flexible storage options with no hidden fees. Any changes in your space allocation are clearly communicated with transparent pricing.
Make Informed Decisions with EVFY’s Green Warehousing Solutions
Storing your goods in a solar-powered warehouse can support your company’s environmental goals—but it’s essential to understand the full scope of your lease agreement. From installation fees to energy surcharges and unclear maintenance responsibilities, the hidden costs of some solar warehouse leases can add up quickly.
EVFY takes a different approach. We set a fixed warehouse rental rate and handle all solar-related infrastructure ourselves. You don’t pay for solar panel maintenance. You don’t pay for energy. And you won’t be surprised by hidden clauses buried in your lease.
Want to store with a warehouse that’s powered by the sun—without the added complexity?
Contact us today to learn more about EVFY’s solar-powered warehouse storage solutions.