Facts About Green Energy

The media covers green energy extensively. We see it in the news, on the web, in newspapers and magazines. "Going Green" is good for the environment, politically correct and can save you money over time. Positioned correctly, it can increase your sales. So what is green energy, do you need it and how can it help your business?

What is Green Energy?

On Wikipedia, green energy is associated with "sustainable energy" which they define as:

Sustainable energy is the provision of energy such that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs....

Green energy is the term used to describe sources of energy that are considered to be environmentally friendly and non-polluting, such as geothermal, wind, solar, and hydro.

Others define green energy as energy produced with fewer carbon emissions and create less pollution. So whether it is completely clean and coming from nature (such as wind and solar) or simply cleaner (such as low emissions automobiles), the focus is on producing energy with as little (or no) negative impact on the environment as possible.

Why do we need Green Energy?

On our ever expanding world, the demand for energy and oil based products (such as plastics) increases every year. However, the world has a limited amount of space and resources. Unless we reduce demand (and that will never happen) production must increase. Given limited fossil fuels, we need to take advantage of other forms of energy. While more challenging to harness, wind and solar (as well as hydro and geothermal) provide tremendous amounts of potential power.

Added Benefits of Green Energy

In addition to preserving resources on our planet, you will save money by using green energy. While the upfront costs may seem high, keep in mind that government tax credits, utility credits, IRS incentives and more, all bring that cost down to a level that is extremely enticing. With many systems, you can recoup your investment in just 2-3 years. Beyond that, energy you are producing is virtually "free" (excluding minimal expenses for maintenance). Your system can produce electricity and hot water for decades to come, long after the system has paid for itself.

The "Wow Factor" with Green Energy

Green energy is popular right now and will be a dominant focus for decades to come. The younger generations who passionately embraced it are now in the work force, and whole new generations of socially responsible citizens are coming up through the ranks. Today, having green power in your commercial or residential units is a "plus" that may push tenants to choose you over another property. In years to come, it will be expected and tenants will cast aside buildings that lack it. In this slow economy, where vacancies are high and tenants have leverage over pricing and concessions, distinguishing yourself as a "green energy building" will make you attractive to companies that embrace solar and wind power, as well as those who want to be seen as embracing green energy.