By: Pivot Energy
July 29 2021
Updated 10/30/23
Sustainability is an ongoing process that requires continuous innovation, imagination, and willingness to move the goal post further. Luckily, there has never been a better time to incorporate renewable energy solutions into your corporate business model. Today, decarbonizing your day-to-day operations is more than just practical, it comes with a slew of economic and social benefits that can drive substantial growth and revenue.
Following through on sustainability commitments can set businesses apart in highly competitive markets, attracting customers who are keen to patron organizations with well-defined ESG frameworks. Furthermore, an effective sustainability strategy offers a framework for navigating complex business decisions that will directly impact your bottom line. Here we will explain why businesses in nearly every sector should start leveraging renewable energy solutions.
For a deeper dive on this topic, check out our Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing Renewable Energy.
People are altering their purchasing behaviors as they become more aware of the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. A report from the Capgemini Research Institute found that 79% of consumers are changing their behavior based on social responsibility, inclusiveness, and environmental impact. A survey conducted by IBM and the National Retail Federation shows that 6 in 10 consumers are willing to change their shopping habits to limit environmental impact. A Deloitte study on evolving consumer behaviors showed that people are seeking out brands that have environmentally sustainable practices/values.
These and other studies demonstrate that modern consumers are becoming increasingly deliberate with how and where they spend their money. Thus, implementing sustainable practices can give your business an edge over the competition by attracting the loyal customers that are prioritizing eco-friendly products and services.
It is worth noting that making illegitimate decarbonization claims, or greenwashing, does not work in the long-run. This building wave of eco-conscious consumers are more than willing to take the time to find brands that have established science-based targets for eventually becoming carbon neutral.
Solar and other renewable energy solutions are the most straightforward and impactful way for businesses to attain true sustainability. Every kilowatt-hour of energy produced by a solar array equals one less kilowatt-hour from a utility provider, which are often heavily dependent on fossil fuels that emit carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gases.
Thankfully, federal incentives and technological advancements have made solar energy solutions more affordable and easier to access than ever before. Regardless of your location, facility ownership status, or financial situation, there are onsite and offsite solutions that will help you achieve your sustainability goals. To easily determine which solution would be best suited for your operation, download our step-by-step guide for businesses looking to procure renewable energy solutions.
As outlined in our guide, employing one of the following solar solutions demonstrates that your business is committed to sustainability for the long haul:
Constructing a commercial solar array on your property is a highly visible method of demonstrating one's commitment to sustainability, while reducing operational costs and hedging against energy price volatility. Whether you add solar panels to your roof or build them above your parking lot (often referred to as a solar carport), there are a number of financing options available, some of which involve zero upfront costs! You may or may not be responsible for maintaining the solar array depending on how you choose to pay for your solar installation. Additionally, thanks to the proliferation of community solar programs across many states, your company can now easily transform its under-utilized rooftop into a revenue-generating asset by teaming up with a solar developer to design a rooftop community solar project.
A battery energy storage system boosts savings by affording facilities the flexibility to shave energy demand peaks anytime, day or night. Solar combined with storage can better prepare your property for extreme weather events, meaning that the facility owner can stop spending large amounts of money purchasing backup power generators for emergencies.
If you’re incapable of installing onsite solar (for instance, you have a curved roof, a shared property, or a limited budget), offsite solar solutions are great options. Virtual Power Purchase Agreements, Community Solar Subscriptions, Impact PPAs, are all fast methods of progressing your sustainability goals while reducing operational costs.
Procuring Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) is one of the quickest ways of addressing carbon emissions. SRECs function as a market-based representation of the environmental, social, and other non-power attributes of renewable electricity generation, and can be bought or sold separately from the actual clean electricity.
If you are ready to get serious about sustainability and procure a renewable energy solution, the experts at Pivot Energy are here to help. Pivot Energy is a turnkey solar developer that has completed more than 400 commercial and industrial solar projects nationwide. Our experienced team has worked with leaders in sustainability from a wide range of industries and has what it takes to help your business demonstrate that its commitment to better the planet is anything but superficial.
Download our guide or contact Pivot Energy to get started today.
Pivot Energy
Together, solar and storage offer the unique ability to lower both demand and energy portions of a customer’s electricity bill.
