As one of the most progressive states in the country, California is unsurprisingly a leader in clean energy. In 2015, the California state legislature passed Senate Bill 350. Through this bill, the state required all utilities to source half of their energy from renewable sources, including biopower, solar, geothermal, and wind by 2030.
Senate Bill 350 built upon 2002’s Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS), which required 20% of sources to come from renewable sources by 2017. Coupled together, these projects primarily aimed at lowering carbon emissions, while also providing employment to some of California’s most blighted rural areas.
So what does this mean for your business? By implementing clean energy practices at your business, not only can you help California reach its energy goals, but you can also realize a plethora of other benefits. Here’s how to do it.
Why Your Business Should Turn to Clean Energy
Although the installation of clean energy sources at your business may have a higher upfront cost, the benefits are striking. While helping the California government reach the Renewables Portfolio Standard and Senate Bill 350, you can also enjoy a number of other advantages. Examples include:
- Identifying as an industry leader
- Improving the community
- Lessening your carbon footprint
- Fewer service disruptions
- A huge return on investment
- A stronger reputation among consumers
Confusion with California’s RPS and Renewable Energy Credit Laws
While the implementation of clean energy at your business is somewhat straightforward, the legal and financial ramifications of such an installation are often confusing. But here’s an easy way to break it down.
The RPS and Senate Bill 350 are simply initiatives to create cleaner air and jobs in California. Neither of these bills explicitly states the benefits to small businesses, but they do underscore the idea of renewable energy credits, or RECs.
A REC is a certificate given by the State of California to businesses that their own energy. Asa business owner, you can choose to hold or sell these credits. If you hold them, you don’t get any financial gain; you simply have “bragging rights” that you helped lower carbon emissions. However, you can sell these credits to other businesses to offset their carbon emissions. Thus, you can increase your bottom line simply by doing your part to reach RPS and Senate Bill 350. In addition, you may be eligible for federal clean energy subsidies to further lower your expenses
Our team at 3 Phases Renewables understands all the details required to help you navigate the process and move your business forward with clean energy. We are the clean energy coordinators of choices for many businesses nationwide.
How to Build a Clean Energy Business
Building a clean energy business isn’t always easy. Therefore, many businesses enlist the help of an energy coordinator. Not only do we help you set up a clean energy source, but also ensure federal and state compliance, as well as implement cost-avoidance measures. If you’re thinking of going green, our energy coordinators are here to get it done.
Clean energy isn’t just a way to save the planet and lower carbon emissions. It’s a show of corporate stewardship and social responsibility that create a solid reputation that can improve your bottom line. As a business owner, you won’t find many win-win scenarios of this caliber. Plan wisely and take advantage of everything that clean energy gives to your business, your customers, and your fellow California residents.
Want to know more about clean energy for your business? Contact us to discuss all the details and get all your questions answered.