energy-independence

Although most electric companies appear to be adopting solar and other renewable energy sources as a part of their overall energy portfolio, there may be a few things they don’t want you (the consumer) to know.

There’s been a lot of discussion among politicians and the media around the state of our current energy grid. So what is all the chatter really about? Are things really that bad? In this post, we’ll take a quick look at the good, the bad, and the ugly side of our nation’s reliance on our current power grid system.

Green-friendly energy programs such as wind and solar have become a political hot button in recent years, placing public policy and programs like Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) under attack by those who claim they’re bad for business. The reality is that an RPS is a powerful economic driver that can stimulate a local economy through job creation and reduced operating costs for many companies.

As market volatility and global unrest continue to create massive fluctuation in fossil fuel markets, renewable energy is proving to be the future of energy production. Here are five reasons that signify the shift to renewables.

What are SRECs?

If you’ve spent time looking into solar for your home or business, you’ve likely heard the term SRECs, which stands for Solar Renewable Energy Certificates or Solar Renewable Energy Credits. SRECs are solar incentives offered to homeowners and businesses who have a qualifying solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Utility companies then pay system owners for these certificates as a way for the utility to meet their state-issued Renewable Portfolio Standard.

As more states begin to implement Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards (RPS) and establish carve-outs for wind and solar production, the question arises; which source of renewable energy production is best? Although both offer significant benefits, there are some key factors to consider before crowning one king.

With solar energy only accounting for roughly two percent of the world’s electricity, it would be fair to assume that big utility companies have nothing to worry about. But you might be surprised to find out that isn’t the case.

Making the switch to solar has always been a great opportunity for those looking for a reliable source of renewable energy and ways to save on their energy bill.

While using the energy you create from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system can help decrease the amount of energy you pull from the grid, net metering can also help increase your savings by receiving a credit for the excess energy you produce from your utility company.

Now that your solar panels are producing clean, renewable energy, there are a few items on your monthly utility bill that you may want to pay attention to depending on what state and local programs apply to your solar installation.

As a consumer, making informed decisions on how to minimize your energy costs is important to you, and understanding how you’re charged by your utility is a crucial step in getting the most out of your dollar.