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Top Tips for Efficiently Utilising Solar Power

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Now that it’s become so much more affordable, we’re seeing a massive spike in the number of people using solar panels for their homes and work. This is fantastic news for the environment and climate change and should be celebrated as such.

But are people really getting the most out of their solar panels? With the concept still relatively new, the best practices might not be as well-known as they could be. That’s where we come in. We’ve compiled this list to help you utilise your solar panels as efficiently as possible.

Go Portable

Number one on this list is to go portable with your solar panels. Why have them fixed to your home when you don’t have to? While there are, of course, advantages and disadvantages to both, we think that portable solar panels win by a landslide. Why?

That’s because of the freedom portable solar panels offer you. Unlike traditional fixed roof solar panels, the portable type lets you take your power on the road. Theoretically, you’ll never be without power again.

So that means you’re covered for every eventuality from camping to moving house. It seems like the way to go if you ask us!

Keep Them Clean

While this one might seem obvious, you’d be surprised how often this won’t cross a person’s mind. After all, you never usually clean your power supply. However, ensuring you keep your panels clean will mean they can absorb the most sun rays possible and provide you with all the energy you require to sustain your property.

After all, with the rate of energy consumption reaching new highs, you will need those panels to bring in as much as they can.

Monitor, Monitor, Monitor

Our final tip is simple: keep an eye on your usage. That means everything from when you use the most energy to uncovering what uses the most energy – and learning your habits along the way. A simple way of doing this is with a smart meter. Once you get to know your routine, you’ll be far more efficient with the energy you get from your solar panels.

That might mean only using appliances that drain energy during the day when the sun is out, or it could translate to staggering your energy usage throughout the day. Either way, you’ll learn how to make the most out of the world’s cheapest energy source!

Make the Most of The Sun!

With these tips, you’re almost certain to see a difference in how you use the energy you get from your solar panels. With such innovative technology, we want to ensure you’re making the most of your investment. Especially when solar panels have the potential to make such a significant change to your life and finances!

As soon as you see how powerful solar panels can be, you’ll wonder how you ever survived without them. And that’s before even touching on how much better for the environment they are – win-win!

Climate Change: Everything You Should Know About Carbon Credits

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Carbon credits are a powerful tool for reducing carbon emissions and fighting climate change. They provide incentives to companies, organisations, and individuals to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by providing them with tradable certificates that represent the right to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).

Carbon credits have become increasingly popular in recent years as governments around the world seek ways to reduce GHG emissions and address global warming. But what do you need to know about these credits if you want to use them?

This article will cover several important things you should understand about carbon credits before deciding if they’re a good fit for your business or organisation.

The Concept of Emissions Trading

This means that companies, organisations, or individuals with a surplus of carbon credits can sell them to those looking to offset their GHG emissions. The international market for carbon credits is called the “compliance market” and it operates according to government regulations and standards.

For instance, the European Union Emission Trading System (EU-ETS) is a market for buying and selling carbon credits. Companies that participate in this system are required to track their emissions, purchase carbon credits if they exceed their quotas, or sell them if they don’t use all of their allotted credits.

Furthermore, carbon credits are not permanent; they only last for a limited period, usually between one and ten years. This means that if you purchase carbon credits to offset your emissions, you will need to buy more credits in the future when your existing ones expire.

Carbon Credits Can Come From a Variety of Sources

The most common source of carbon credits is from projects that capture and store emissions, such as reforestation initiatives, renewable energy projects, or the destruction of industrial pollutants.

These types of initiatives are called “offset projects” and they generate credits that can be bought by those looking for a way to reduce their GHG emissions. This also means that investing in carbon credits is a way to support the development of renewable energy and other sustainable initiatives. Moreover, some credits are also generated through the sale of “verified emission reductions” (VERs), which are earned by companies or organisations that reduce their emissions compared to a pre-established baseline.

However, not all carbon credits are created equal; it’s important to check the standards of the project you are buying from to ensure that they are generating truly meaningful reductions in GHG emissions.

A Monetary Value

The price of carbon credits is determined by the market and can fluctuate over time. The current international market price for one tonne of CO2e is around USD 25, although prices can vary significantly depending on the project and region. Moreover, many countries also have their domestic trading systems that set prices for carbon credits that are specific to their jurisdictions.

Keep in mind that the price of carbon credits is not necessarily an indication of their environmental benefit; a more expensive carbon credit may be from a higher-quality project, such as one with stringent standards for GHG reductions.

Furthermore, the cost of carbon credits is usually much lower than the actual cost of reducing emissions, so it can be a more cost-effective way to achieve GHG emission reductions.

Emissions Reduction Targets

Companies and organisations that report their emissions may be required to purchase carbon credits to meet their emissions reduction targets. In this case, carbon credits can act as an effective way to offset GHG emissions without making drastic changes to existing operations or processes.

Companies that invest in offset projects or sell verified emission reductions (VERs) can generate revenue from the sale of their carbon credits. This money can then be used to fund more emissions reduction projects or operations, making it a win-win for both the company and the environment.

Carbon Credits Are Not The Same as Carbon Taxes

This is an important distinction to make; carbon taxes put a price on emissions, whereas carbon credits provide incentives for reducing them. Carbon taxes can be more effective at reducing GHG emissions than carbon credits in some cases, but they can also be more costly. Carbon credits offer a way for businesses and individuals to reduce their emissions without having to pay extra taxes.

On the other hand, carbon credits can be both expensive and difficult to obtain in some cases. If you are considering investing in carbon credits, it’s important to understand the costs and benefits associated with them before making a decision. If you are investing in offset projects, make sure to research the project and understand the costs and benefits of participating.

Carbon Credits Have Become More Popular in Recent Years

Since their introduction, carbon credits have become increasingly popular as a way to reduce GHG emissions. This is due in part to the developing markets for trading and selling carbon credits, which has increased access and made them more affordable for individuals and businesses alike.

As well, governments and organisations around the world have begun to recognise the importance of reducing GHG emissions, which has made carbon credits a more attractive option for mitigating climate change.

Carbon Offsetting is Not a “Silver Bullet” 

While carbon offsetting can help reduce GHG emissions, it should always be seen as one part of an overall strategy to combat climate change. Investing in carbon credits is not a substitute for implementing energy efficiency measures and other strategies to reduce emissions. It’s important to understand that carbon offsetting is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to tackling global warming.

Additionally, there are some potential ethical and environmental concerns associated with carbon offsetting—there are questions about the effectiveness of some offset projects, as well as the fairness of generating credits from activities such as deforestation or burning biomass for energy production.

Carbon credits are a powerful tool to reduce GHG emissions, but they should be used in conjunction with other strategies. It’s important to do your research and understand the costs and benefits of investing in carbon credits before making any decisions. Additionally, it’s essential to keep an eye out for potential ethical or environmental concerns associated with certain offset projects.

With careful consideration and planning, carbon offsets can play an effective role in reducing global warming while also providing companies and individuals with financial incentives for their efforts.

An Eco-Friendly Concept For Your Business

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Climate protection is the topic of the day. Companies are also realising that it’s not just the environment that benefits when their own company adopts a more sustainable approach – image and wallet gain as well.

By then it doesn’t matter if your company is small or large. You can own a manufacture, a law firm, or a casino, but a real, land-based one. Every company can contribute to environmental protection, regardless of what it produces. Those who act quickly will have an advantage over their competitors.

And doing more for climate protection does not mean that a company has to convert all its products or services to organic, eco, or fair trade overnight. All that is needed is to turn-key levers that are as effective as possible: the more efficient, the smarter. Here are five measures that small and larger companies can implement right now – without turning their entire business model upside down or saddling themselves with huge investments.

Switch To Real Green Electricity

Green electricity providers don’t only deliver guaranteed clean electricity. They are also cheaper than the conventional electricity mix of many municipal utilities. So, if you switch to green electricity right now, you save money, drive the energy transition forward, and can – with a clear conscience – write on your website that you are using green electricity.

But beware: not everywhere that says green power is green power! Many self-proclaimed green power providers, for example, belong to nuclear power companies or have no credible seals of approval.

Climate Protection In Business: A Green Business Account In Eco-Bank

If you switch your business account to a sustainable bank, you rule out questionable investments from the outset. Such banks invest money in such spheres as renewable energies or ecological agriculture. Of course, switching accounts involves effort – but it pays off at the latest when you share your new banking data with impressed customers.

Business Trips By Train & Bus

Air travel is partly to blame for the climate crisis, as it emits CO2 and creates contrails. Currently, an estimated four to five percent of greenhouse gases are attributable to aviation, and the trend is rising. While percentages are debatable, this does not apply to the finding that rail and long-distance bus are currently the most climate-friendly means of transport available to us for longer journeys.

The same cannot be said for the classic car, which has a similarly devastating environmental impact per kilometre as airplanes.

A company that takes climate protection seriously will therefore reward its workers who carpool, subsidise public transport tickets and railcards, offer rental bikes and charging stations for e-cars, and of course enable home offices, which save time, money, and CO2.

A sustainable company will also invest in up-to-date technology that allows video conferencing in attractive sound and image quality. There are no environmental costs for an online connection, no travel time is lost, no hotel has to be paid for, and everyone involved can be back with their families in the evening.

Why It Is A Good Idea To Make Your Business More Sustainable

Well, those companies who set up the “Sustainability” menu item on the company website not only show what contribution their own company makes to environmental protection. They also inspire customers and competitors. Anyway, there are much more effective ecological measures that ambitious companies can tackle.

For example, the company can use electric cars as company vehicles, think about green health insurance for employees and use more sustainable items. It is also possible to run the company server with green hosting or set photovoltaics systems on the roof to produce own electricity.

So, the number of opportunities is great, and it is quite easy to turn your company into a modern company that supports world ecological trends and contributes to the environment.

How Can I Make Smarter Energy Decisions For My Business?

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Climate change has been sped up by bad energy decisions. The recent announcement of the Streamlined Energy Carbon Reporting scheme, designed to help businesses as they become more energy conscious, is just the latest stage in this transition.

The SECR is a proposed new reporting scheme from the Government. It is set to replace the Carbon Reduction Commitment, which is due to end in 2019. It aims to use energy efficiency as a mechanism to help increase business productivity.

And it will also improve the security of energy supplies, as the goal is to reduce current use by at least 20 per cent before 2030.

So Who will This Affect and What Will it Involve?

SECR is aimed at companies with at least 250 employees or an annual turnover greater than £36m, as well as an annual balance sheet greater than £18m. The number of companies reporting into the SECR will include those in the Energy Saving Opportunities Scheme, taking the number of businesses involved from 1,200 to 11,900.

If you fall into this category then you’ll be automatically entered into the scheme and your energy use, carbon emissions and energy efficiency actions will be made publicly available, with a suitable intensity metric for reference.

What Does this Mean for These Businesses?

For those who aren’t already on their energy efficiency journey, SECR will likely mean additional administrative costs. But if 20 per cent improvements in energy efficiency can be achieved, that can have its own financial advantages.

So What can Businesses Do?

An energy management system that encompasses people, process and technology will make reporting for regulatory purposes a much smoother process. But companies should go back to the basics of energy management and analyse their operations to understand the meaningful and sustainable changes they can make.

Here Are Our Six Steps to Help:

Step 1 – Get Everyone Involved

Start everyone from across your business talking about energy. Make sure to get buy-in on any new initiatives from your senior management. After all, without their commitment, energy management may falter and can be marginalised.

Step 2 – Write an Effective Energy Policy Articulating Your Organisation’s Commitment

This should: set an objective, define targets, develop an action plan, establish accountability, ensure continuous improvement and ensure compliance.

Step 3 – Assess Your Energy Performance

As they say, “to measure is to manage”. Understand your past and present energy performance in order to establish benchmarks and begin understanding your energy use patterns and trends. SECR will be a good starting point.

Step 4 – Conduct Energy Audits

This will help you identify areas of energy savings within your organisation, whether this be by engaging staff, streamlining processes or installing energy efficient technology. Perhaps all three. So dust off that ESOS report or energy survey or perhaps take a fresh look and audit all aspects that affect energy performance: people, process and technology.

Step 5 – Prioritise

Make sure to prioritise your projects and get them done.

Step 6 – Monitor the Benefits

Keep an eye on the results of your projects and communicate these to your senior management. It might make justifying capital expenditure easier in future if your energy projects have a proven record of delivering savings. So, sit back, relax and reap the rewards…but don’t get complacent, always strive to improve.

Ultimately, the best thing businesses can do is to get on board the energy efficiency band wagon as soon as possible.