Renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, is harnessed from non-depleting sources that are available in limited amounts. They are constrained from an energy point of view but have no real-time limit.
Renewable energy provides energy in four critical areas: electricity generation, air and water heating/cooling, transport, and rural (off-grid) energy services.
Renewable energy can be used to generate electricity and heat, move vehicles, and provide lighting. Each of these applications can be used to help your business reduce its carbon footprint and lower costs associated with traditional fossil fuel use.
If you’re like most business owners, you’re always looking for ways to save money and increase your cash flow. One way to do that is by using renewable energy at your company. But how do you know what’s right for your business?
Depending on where your company is located, you could have any number of options available to you.
Renewable energy is a broad term that refers to energy derived from natural sources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat. Renewable technologies include solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity, biomass, and geothermal power.
In some places, your options may be limited by local conditions. For example, if your business is in a bit of a sunny or windy location, then solar or wind power might not be viable for you. However, other options are still worth considering. Let’s take a look at some of the possibilities:
Solar
It’s an excellent way of supplementing both residential and commercial energy needs, but it’s not always feasible. If your company is located in an area with limited sunlight or regularly requires large amounts of electricity, you may need to look elsewhere for your alternative.
Renewable Electricity
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are sold separately from the electricity supply that powers your business. RECs represent the environmental attributes of electricity generated from a renewable source, like solar or wind.
RECs may be sold in blocks of 1,000 kWh or as a percentage of your electricity usage. You can use RECs to meet sustainability goals and demonstrate your commitment to greening your business operations.