Green Energy: Saving money and the planet

The term green energy is commonly used interchangeably with renewable and clean energy. Green energy specifically refers to energy that comes from natural sources. Green power sources will avoid mining or drilling operations as these can often cause damage to the environment and eco-systems.

There are a couple of different options available if you’re looking to switch. Some forms can be generated on a smaller scale in homes or small businesses, but some require a larger industrial scale to generate.

Environmentally, green energy is a better option. Having these alternative sources of power can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Non-renewable fuel sources account for over three quarters of all global greenhouse gas emissions. However, green sources usually emit little or no greenhouse gases and air pollutants. This isn’t just good for the planet but for our health too. It can also cut down the carbon footprint of your business, helping you to work towards sustainability goals and show your customers that you’re ready to make a difference.

Generating your own energy can help to reduce your costs in the long run. If you’re supplying your own electricity, you won’t be liable to spikes in prices in the energy market. Even if your business isn’t fully self-sufficient, generating just a part of your business’ energy will help to keep costs lower.

There’s also the option to sell back any excess energy you’ve generated to the grid. You could store the excess energy in a battery and then use an export meter to sell this back to the grid. This is a great way to offset the initial set up costs required for generating your own energy.

There are also incentives for businesses looking to reduce their consumption and increase their reliance on greener sources. If your business is making steps to become more energy efficient, you may be exempt from the Climate Change Levy (CCL). This is a government-imposed tax aiming to reduce carbon emissions from businesses.

If you’re worried about the costs of generating your own energy, there is funding available to minimise this. For example, Salix Finance offer a government funded scheme which provides interest free loans to public sector organisations to cover the costs of energy efficiency improvements. There are also a variety of government schemes, depending on your location, such as the Low Carbon Workspaces and Energy for Business. These will provide loans and grants to cover the costs of installing energy efficiency measures.