A typical 50,000-square-foot grocery store can spend $250,000 annually on electricity, and unless they run on renewable energy, that results in about 1,900 tons of CO2 emitting into the atmosphere, the carbon equivalent to running 360 vehicles for one year!

Unlike other large-scale energy production sources, solar energy has minimal drawbacks and many significant benefits. However, there are several often-overlooked benefits that solar can provide.

Grocery stores are some of the biggest consumers of energy in the retail industry, making them prime candidates for investing in solar power. In addition to the typical heating, cooling and lighting of most buildings, grocery stores also have refrigerators, freezers and other types of cold cases that can take up between one-third and one-half of a supermarket’s footprint - and up to 80 percent of their energy costs. That’s not even taking into account larger supermarkets that might have bakeries, butchers, restaurants and other high energy specialty installations.

A new report out for 2020 from The International Renewable Energy Agency reveals that renewable energy, and solar in particular, is proving to be a flexible, cost-effective, and resilient source of job creation, even during the strain of a global health crisis and economic downturn. So what does the solar job market look like?

Benjamin Allen, a warehouse manager for All Energy Solar in River Falls, Wis., where he took a selfie after he voted. St. Paul-based All Energy Solar encouraged high voter turnout by hiring a voter coach to answer questions and help simplify the process, whish is more complicated this year amid the coronavirus.

What are solar incentives?

If you’re considering installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) system on your property, there are a wide range of solar energy tax credits and rebates that you’ll want to be aware of. Many of these incentives—available at the federal, state, and local levels—can significantly reduce your system’s initial and overall costs and increase the rate of return on your investment.

Many incentives and rebate programs are currently being offered to promote the implementation and adoption of clean and renewable energy with solar power. But to take advantage of these great programs, you’ll need to understand a little bit about what they are, how they work, and how you can qualify for them.

In 2019, the world added more renewable energy than any other source, with solar and wind representing 45% of all new capacity. As the global focus on energy independence and environmental responsibility grows, and demand for clean renewable energy rises, policymakers globally, nationally, and locally are creating programs that increase production to feed this demand.

Businesses across the country already recognize the economic, environmental, and PR and brand benefits of going solar, but there are still more financial incentives available to businesses that decide to install a solar photovoltaic (PV) system on their property.

Although adding solar to your home can be a relatively painless and easy process, sometimes understanding all the ins and outs of the financial incentives available to you can be confusing.