https://pixabay.com/images/search/solar/
As we start the new year, you may have plans to fulfill your New Year’s resolutions. One of the growing trends is the commitment to switch to renewable energy in 2020. While some resolutions are okay not to keep, this one deserves sticking to. Yes, it is hard. It takes willpower and intense commitment to achieve it. Why? It is pretty challenging because today’s lifestyle is fast-paced and it is tempting to use the easiest solutions for everyday needs.
Climate Change is Real
Sustainable homes are one of the growing trends that are making huge waves in the real estate industry thanks to the ever-increasing concern over climate change. Since more people are aware, they are committed to helping the environment by going for eco-friendly home designs. Global warming concerns are on the rise and they should no longer be ignored. If you’re thinking of contributing to helping the environment by switching to renewables, then you are on the right track.
Here are some ways that you can make the switch to renewables:
Change Your Current Utility
You should start by looking for a green energy company that can offer you various plans on how to generate power from wind and solar energy. The programs offered by these companies vary, but they all follow the idea of creating electricity through clean sources, or they may buy it from renewable energy certificates from clean energy vendors. Green energy is an affordable and practical choice for homeowners and renters. This switch is pretty easy to do; all you have to do is to connect with your current energy provider.
Choose Renewable Energy Certificates
In case your current utility does not support green power, you still have an option. You can choose to go for a renewable energy certificate (REC) vendor. To further understand REC, you have to know how the grid works. In the U.S., all electricity produced goes into transmission lines in the network. When you use power, you get that electricity from the grid, which could be from a number of sources.
Renewable energy providers are one of those that supply power to the grid. When solar power contributes to the grid, it receives a specific REC, which serves as the proof of ownership of that particular unit of power. Some organizations buy these RECs.
Support a Community Solar
If the first two options are not available for you, you might want to check local community solar projects. In some cases, there are groups of people who develop a solar farm where you can purchase or capitalize on multiple panels that may be enough to power your energy needs.
Invest in Rooftop Solar
The use of photovoltaic (PV) cells on rooftops is probably the most common and easiest way of switching to renewables. Over the last several years the cost of installation has considerably dropped, allowing more homeowners to have it installed on their homes as an excellent investment choice. Despite the rapid fall in prices, many homeowners get solar panels with financing or lease them from a renewable energy provider.
The Idea of Net Metering
One of the strategies that boosted the switch to renewables is the extreme savings it provides. There are some states where users of renewable energy can receive credit for the utility if they help feed the energy into the grid that is over their consumption. This practice is net metering and is improving how homes and organizations keep the energy they generate for times when they use less energy, especially during nighttime and off-peak hours.
