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Use Green Energy

House with solar panels

Electric power generated by fossil-fuels is a big source of California’s greenhouse gas emissions. California businesses can reduce emissions by increasing renewable energygeneration and green power purchasing.

Renewable energy is electricity supplied from energy sources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, and biomass.

Table of Contents [hide]
    1. Simple, Low-Cost Investments to Use Green Energy
      1. Purchase Green Power from your Utility
    2. Longer Term Investments to Use Green Energy
      1. Increase On-site Renewable Energy Generation
      2. Consider using biofuels
    3. Plan to Use Green Energy
      1. Join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Green Power Partnership
  1. Attachments

    Simple, Low-Cost Investments to Use Green Energy

    Purchase Green Power from your Utility

    Buying green power, where available, can be an easy and effective way to improve environmental performance.

    Longer Term Investments to Use Green Energy

    Increase On-site Renewable Energy Generation

    After existing facilities are upgraded to achieve optimal energy performance, consider adding renewable energy generation (like solar panels) to your facilities.

    Consider using biofuels

    Biomass can be converted directly into liquid fuels, called biofuels, to help meet transportation fuel needs. Ethanol and biodiesel are the two most common types of biofuels. Think about investing in alternative fuel and flex-fuel vehicles for your business transportation needs.

    Plan to Use Green Energy

    Join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Green Power Partnership

    Provides assistance related to the purchasing of green power, including a search feature to locate green power providers in California.

    Resources

    Renewable Energy

    Biofuels

    Geothermal

    Shallow ground (upper 10 feet of the Earth) maintains an almost constant temperature between 50° and 60°F. This ground temperature is cooler than the air above it in the summer and warmer than the air in the winter. Geothermal heat pumps use this circumstance to cool and heat buildings.

    Solar

    People have used the sun's energy to make buildings brighter and warmer for centuries. Today, special equipment and specially designed buildings can more effectively capture solar energy for light and heat. Solar energy can make our buildings more comfortable while also reducing utility costs and pollution.

    Wind

    Wind turbines, like windmills, are mounted on a tower to capture the most energy. Wind turbines can be used as stand-alone applications, or they can be connected to a utility power grid or even combined with a photovoltaic (solar cell) system. For utility-scale sources of wind energy, a large number of wind turbines are usually built close together to form a wind plant. Stand-alone wind turbines are typically used for water pumping or communications. However, homeowners, farmers, and ranchers in windy areas can also use wind turbines as a way to cut their electric bills.

    California Wind Energy CollaborativeCommitted to spreading practical knowledge about small wind energy systems to the public.

    U.S. Department of Energy Consumer's Guide: Small Wind Electric Systems
    Provides basic information and resources applicable for small businesses.

    U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Published Small Wind Electric Systems: A U.S. Consumer's Guide; while written for a consumer audience, the information is relevant to small businesses.

    Green Power Network
    Provides news and information on green power markets and related activities and summarizes green power products available in California and nationally available renewable energy certificate products.