Incorporating renewable energy into your business is an important and useful step in reducing your overall carbon emissions. According to the United Nations, the energy supply sector makes up about 35% of global GHG emissions. Together we can work to lower these emissions through the transition to renewable energy.
There are many options when it comes to renewables, and it can at times be overwhelming trying to navigate which option is right for your business. To simplify things, we have broken renewables down into 3 sections. With these 3 options, renewable energy can be accessible to anyone.
Let’s review the options available so that you can determine which is right for your business.
Option 1: Install Renewable Energy Systems
Installing your own renewable energy system can offer a wide range of benefits for your business. Some of these benefits include:
- Savings on Electricity Bills
- The price of electricity is becoming increasingly volatile. Incorporating localized renewable energy at your place of business can help build resilience against the ever-changing energy market.
- Energy Independence
- As demand rises and extreme weather becomes more common, reliable energy will become harder and harder to come by. Implementing your own source of renewable energy increases energy resiliency, lessening your dependence on the grid and keeping the lights on in times of increased demand.
- Increased Property Value
- Implementing renewables will inevitably increase the value of your commercial property. This will benefit your company in the long run, adding value to your business.
Let’s have a look at the common options for commercial renewable energy systems.
Option 1: Rooftop Solar PV System
Rooftop solar is a popular and effective way to incorporate renewable energy into your workplace. It is becoming increasingly common across the world as the overall installation cost decreases. Rooftop solar is a great option as it is installed on a space that is not always utilized, and decreases reliance on the grid.
How to begin:
You can contact a local commercial solar provider to determine if rooftop solar is right for your location. They will first need to asses your site to determine first if rooftop solar is feasible for your location. This can typically be done remotely. If it is initially feasible, they will run an analysis to determine how much energy can be generated per year, optimal location of the panels, and rough cost of installation. After that they should provide a cost savings analysis. To do so, they will require information such as electricity usage (you can find this across electricity bills).
Once a report has been provided, you can better understand the feasibility of the system through annual kWh generation, payback period, etc.
Need assistance in understanding the process or questions on where to start? CarbonSuite is here to help! Send us an email and we can assist you or connect you with a local partner.
Option 2: Car Park Solar
If your business location has a car park / parking lot, this could be an optimal space for incorporating solar energy.
Car parks are a great space to install solar panels as there are fewer limitations compared to rooftop solar. Unlike rooftop solar, car park solar is not constrained by the building orientation or roof design. Therefore they can be optimized to get the maximum solar exposure and efficiency. In fact, the panels even provide protection from the elements – shade on hot days, and protection from rain and snow on the not-so-hot days!
Additionally, if your business or employees are using electric vehicles, car park solar may be a great option for you. Car park solar allows for easy integration with EV chargers, adding further benefits for your business.
How to begin:
You can contact a local solar provider to determine if car park solar is right for your location. They will likely need to conduct a site assessment to determine an optimal design and size of the system. With this information, they can develop a cost savings analysis. Once a report has been provided, you can better understand the feasibility of the system through annual kWh generation, payback period, etc.
Questions on how to begin? CarbonSuite is here to help! Send us an email and we can assist you or connect you with a local partner.
Option 3: Solar Water Heating
Solar water heaters are a popular and useful way to sustainably provide hot water to any office building. There are different technology options available, but they all serve the same purpose – heating your water using the energy of the sun.
How to begin:
You can contact a local energy services provider or plumber to determine if solar water heating is right for your location. They will require information on the amount of water heating needed, the existing system in place, and space available to determine an optimal size and location for the system. With this information, they can then provide a cost savings analysis. This will typically require a thorough on-site assessment as the engineer will need to understand the current system in place as well as the requirements for the new system.
Once a report has been provided, you can better understand the feasibility of the system through annual savings, payback period, etc.
Have any further questions? CarbonSuite is here to help! Send us an email and we can assist you or connect you with a local partner.
Option 4: Wind Turbines
In addition to commercial solar, wind turbines are a great option for incorporating renewable energy into your business. Different from solar, wind turbines do not require much surface area. As a result they are a great option for businesses who do not have rooftop space or a car park. Additionally, they are great for areas with high wind speeds, as they can generate more electricity than solar panels. Especially during the night and on cloudy days.
How to begin:
You can contact a local wind energy provider in order to determine if wind energy is right for your location. They will need to conduct a site assessment to determine key factors such as optimal location and size of the turbine(s). This information helps determine how much energy the site can generate per year, providing key details for a cost savings analysis. This can be done remotely but typically requires an on-site assessment.
Once a report has been provided, you can better understand the feasibility of the system through annual kWh generation, payback period, etc.
Need assistance in understanding the process? CarbonSuite is here to help! Send us an email and we can assist you or connect you with a local partner.
Are there incentives available?
Many federal, state, and local governments around the world are even offering incentives, rebates, and tax credits to assist in the transition to renewable energy. You can contact a local provider for the appropriate energy type to find out more about what incentives may be available.
Need help determining which renewable energy source is right for your business? CarbonSuite can help assist with understanding your options or connect you with a local partner. Contact us to start your journey towards a greener planet.
Option 2: Choose Green Energy Suppliers
Believe it or not, in some regions you can actually opt for buying renewable-generated electricity instead of its alternative coal-generated electricity. There are two main ways this is possible.
Green Pricing Programs:
Some utility companies offer customers the option to pay a premium to support the generation of renewable energy. This allows consumers to opt for electricity generated from renewable sources such as wind, solar, or hydroelectric power.
Reach out to your utility provider to determine if this is an option for your business.
Deregulated Electricity Markets:
In deregulated electricity markets, consumers can choose their electricity supplier. Many suppliers offer plans that include a significant percentage of renewable energy. In this case, you can choose your supplier based on the renewable energy plans available. This gives you the power to choose where your energy is coming from. Make the green choice today!
Many countries have deregulated electricity markets, including New Zealand, Japan, and various European countries. Other countries such as Australia, Canada, and the US, have deregulated markets in certain states or provinces.
For example, this interactive map demonstrates the states in the US with deregulated energy.
Questions about if this may be possible in your region or need help taking the first step? CarbonSuite can help assist with understanding your options or connect you with a local partner. Contact us to see how we can assist you.
Option 3: Invest in Clean Energy
If you are unable to install your own renewable energy systems, purchasing credits or certificates for renewable energy generation may be right for you. Many countries have programs in place to allow companies to purchase “credit” for the renewable energy generation. These programs lower the price of installing renewables, making it more financially feasible for consumers. Purchasing credits or certificates helps support the transition to renewable energy, and can be done without the planning or constraints of installing your own system.
United States – Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). More information can be found here
United Kingdom – Renewable Obligation Credits (ROCs). More information on ROCs can be found here.
Australia – Small-Scale Technology Credits (STCs). More information can be found here.
Canada – Contact your provincial utility provider to learn about options in your province.
Interested in investing in clean energy? CarbonSuite is your trusted advisor. Contact us to see how we can help begin your investment in clean energy.
Start Your Transition to Renewables
Now that you understand your renewable energy options, you can make an educated decision about what is right for your business.
CarbonSuite is here to assist in your transition to renewable energy. Get started today!