SunPower Customers Among Top 10 U.S. Companies Going Solar The Solar Energy Industries Association today released its fourth annual Solar Means Business report, and a number of SunPower corporate customers top the list of U.S. companies that have installed the most solar. According to SEIA, there has been a 59 percent increase in corporate and business solar installations since 2014, and a 183 [...]

Learn about battery storage for commercial solar power In the last few years, commercial battery storage technology has advanced rapidly—making solar battery storage a practical option for many organizations. This video explains how to lower electricity costs using battery storage to reduce utility demand charges. Watch and see if a commercial battery storage solution might make [...]

Many private enterprises and public entities (e.g., government agencies and educational institutions) are looking for clean, renewable energy sources to meet their sustainable energy solution needs. The motivation can be financial, driven by regulatory mandates, a desire to be more socially responsible or all the above. Sustainable energy solutions are literally found in the air, deep [...]

The solar Investment Tax Credit, or solar ITC, is a federal incentive that can help eligible businesses offset their commercial solar system costs*. As part of the broader Business Energy Investment Tax Credit, the solar ITC can be a significant factor in helping companies determine if and when to go solar. The infographic below provides a high-level overview and also [...]

A growing number of Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies are committing to corporate sustainability goals—leading to an upsurge of renewable energy in business. In a wide-ranging examination of the subject published by Greentech Media, large corporations in the U.S. are reportedly poised to be the most powerful advocates for clean energy on both a state and [...]

If you hail from the Mid-Atlantic region, home of the dreaded Nor’easter, you’ve probably wondered about the effects of extreme weather on solar panels. Makes sense—Nor’easters are not just storms. These radical weather events occur when the southbound polar jet stream meets the warm air from the oceanic Gulf Stream. It’s usually a violent occurrence. Kind [...]

In theory, you understand how photovoltaic (PV) solar systems work—silicon panels capture sunlight and turn it into electricity. But now you've finally got your organization talking about using solar power for business, so you need to know exactly how solar systems work in real life—i.e., What's it take to get solar panel installation rolling? How do [...]

Bike-to-Work Day is just one day a year. And for that one day a year, at least, everyone can agree—biking to work is a great idea. But, you know what? It’s pretty fantastic the other 364 days, too. In fact, research shows that people who bike to work are more productive, happier and take fewer sick [...]

Traditionally, companies have pointed to a positive bottom line as a benchmark of success, but a new wave of entrepreneurs may be changing that equation by factoring social and environmental measures into a triple bottom line.  Companies and organizations are increasingly adopting sustainable business practices to make an impact on their communities as well as their [...]

For the first time, global energy markets in many parts of the developing world are registering solar power as the cheapest form of new electricity for renewable energy investment opportunities. The milestone is noteworthy as these lower solar prices do not include government subsidies or other financial support. This trending reduction in the price of solar [...]

There’s no question about it, studies have proven most Americans agree that renewable energy is crucial to our future. In addition, while electricity rates across the country continue to increase, solar panels become more affordable and viable than ever. Yet, at a time when green technology is gaining popularity and prices are decreasing, one question still [...]

Energy security is an increasingly critical issue for the U.S. military. One way to stabilize the U.S. electrical grid in vulnerable areas is to deploy solar-powered microgrids, according to a new report from Michigan Technological University (MTU). Solar microgrids can enhance energy security by localizing power production and preventing cascading blackouts.  The U.S. military already has [...]

The expansion of community solar across the U.S. is bringing solar power—and its many benefits—to a number of individuals and businesses who might otherwise not be able to participate. Not so long ago, installing solar panels on your rooftop or undeveloped property was the only way to access solar-generated electricity. If you were unable (or lacked [...]

When it comes to providing corporate renewable energy on the scale needed to attract big businesses, not all states are created equal. In a recent GreenBiz article, an analyst for the World Resource Institute cites nearly half of Fortune 500 companies are pursuing sustainability or renewable energy goals. How quickly they reach those goals depends in part [...]

Company “annual meeting season” is the perfect time for organizations to evaluate how well corporate sustainability is being addressed... or how much more attention is required. Most corporations recognize that ignoring renewable energy goals is not an option. But many others still may not know what they don’t know. A recent article published by GreenBiz suggests it is up to a well-informed board of [...]

If you’re thinking about investing in a new commercial solar panel installation, you’re in good company. Private businesses, public entities (like government agencies), and educational institutions of all shapes and sizes benefit from this clean, renewable source of electricity every day.  But is a commercial solar system the right solution for you? Answering the questions [...]

From Peru to Punjab, the benefits of solar power energy in the developing world are helping to reshape national views on renewable energy development. An article in The Economist highlights the recent expansion of global solar capacity due to an increase in solar panel installations. It cites several examples that illustrate how solar power is “hitting its stride” across [...]

For the first time, global energy markets in many parts of the developing world are registering solar power as the cheapest form of new electricity for renewable energy investment opportunities. The milestone is noteworthy as these lower solar prices do not include government subsidies or other financial support. This trending reduction in the price of solar [...]

Working toward energy efficiency is most successful when approached collectively. While energy managers may head the team exploring how to reduce energy costs in business, it’s an overall group effort that yields the best results. That’s the overarching message in a recent article published by Smart Energy Decisions, which describes how increasing employee engagement improves the chances of reaching corporate [...]

In the not-so-distant past, the main benefit of commercial solar adoption was rooted in affecting environmental change. Early photovoltaic (PV) technology adopters saw it as a potential solution to what had become a global energy crisis.  And for that, they were called hippies, tree-huggers and any number of pejorative environmentalist monikers. But they didn’t care. They [...]

Making the decision to go solar isn’t something you do in a day. And it certainly shouldn’t be done without a thorough evaluation and careful assessment of both the pros and cons. To help get you started, we’ve put together three of the top advantages—and disadvantages—of pursuing a path toward investing in a commercial solar energy [...]

“Without enough water, you can’t have power; without enough power, you can’t have water.” The relationship between water and energy production is extremely close and co-dependent. It takes a massive amount of water to generate energy, and it takes a huge quantity of energy to process water that can be utilized by humans for drinking and [...]

As the cost of renewable energy becomes more competitive with fossil fuel cost, it may be the perfect time for fossil fuel divestment (aka divestiture). An article in The Guardian argues that energy investors could be at a tipping point when it comes to investment in renewables. Historically, the case for corporate sustainability has focused on improving public perception [...]

At the individual installation level, it's rather obvious that commercial solar energy systems have positive impact on the environment—instead of using electricity generated by fossil fuels, your business utilizes clean, renewable energy from a limitless resource (the sun). But a recent article in The Atlantic takes a step back and evaluates solar as a whole, presenting [...]

If you’re thinking about investing in a new commercial solar panel installation, you’re in good company. Private businesses, public entities (like government agencies), and educational institutions of all shapes and sizes benefit from this clean, renewable source of electricity every day.  But is a commercial solar system the right solution for you? Answering the questions [...]

Trying to find ways to hit your corporate sustainability goals and reduce costs at the same time? A recent survey tells us that many of your peers are considering lower-cost renewable energy solutions, such as solar power, to help them to do just that.  With energy costs on the rise, facility managers who want [...]

How does a solar panel system work? The basic science is simple: light equals energy. But that doesn’t explain how that sphere of hot plasma in the sky is going to power your building.  So let’s start with the basics: how a solar panel system works. Then we’ll talk about all of the ways your business [...]

Step 1: Learn more Become a thought leader on installing solar Understanding the pieces and considerations of a commercial solar installation will help you make the best decision for your company. Learning the basic system components is a good first step: Solar panels – Absorb the sun’s rays as a source of energy for generating electricity Inverter – Converts power [...]

Solar power is a great renewable energy source—and it’s also more affordable than you might think. With so many users across the world, solar energy technology continues to become more efficient and cost-effective. According to Jelor Gallego’s article in Futurism, countries such as India and China, among others, are now confidently investing in solar power. From the [...]

Although investing in renewable energy and other sustainability efforts can benefit a business in many ways, you may want to make sure it’s the right decision for your company’s bottom line before going ahead.  In an effort to show corporate social responsibility, many investors push for the adoption of business sustainability strategies. But some [...]

Why should businesses go green? A  Houston Chronicle article points out five reasons why green business practices can be beneficial to your company. “Going green” at work—or adopting environmentally friendly business practices—is not just a trend, but also a way for socially responsible companies to benefit from a host of advantages. The article points to plusses such [...]

Solar power is one of the most efficient yet clean sources of energy we have access to. There are no increased fuel costs or dependencies, no ties to pollutants, and it’s both reliable and affordable. Of course, in order to harness solar power you need access to specific technology. This tech relies on either small-scale solar [...]

This day and age, you hear everyone talking about going green. Whether you want to admit it or not, at some point everyone will have to follow with the green movement. This is because at the rate we are going, the earth is simply not sustainable. That means that over the years, we will begin to run [...]

Thinking about reducing your business’s carbon footprint? Looking for ways to hit your organization’s sustainability goals? An article from SustainableCitiesCollective tells how leading businesses are doing just that by focusing on reducing the amount of paper they use. Keeping cardboard boxes stamped with those green recycling logos in your hallways is not going to cut it. Today’s sustainability [...]