Are you ready to take a step towards sustainable living by transitioning to green electricity? As we begin to feel the effects of climate change, converting to renewable energy sources becomes critical.

Green electricity can be harnessed from the sun, wind, water and other natural resources. Offering not only a cleaner environment, it also promises considerable savings on utility bills over time.

If you’re considering this switch, let The Local Electrician be your partner in setting up environmentally friendly power solutions for your home.

Renewable Energy: Future Projections

Between 2023-2028, almost 3,700 GW of new renewable capacity is expected to be operational. Predominant contributors will be solar PV and wind.

Come 2024, wind and solar PV generation will noticeably surpass hydropower.

By 2025, renewables are forecasted to dethrone coal as the largest electricity supplier. Progressively, wind and solar PV will outshine nuclear power.

Expectations are that by 2028, over 42% of global electricity supply will come from renewable energy sources.

In terms of heat consumption, renewables have encountered a rising demand with a global increase of 6% from 2017-2022.

The buildings sector accounted for the majority of the renewable requirements. And over three quarters of it was catered by China, the EU and the US.

On the other hand, the industrial sector saw a significant rise in renewable consumption in India.

It is forecasted that renewable heat usage will accelerate by 40% from 2023-2028.

In 2023, renewable electricity capacity additions increased by around 50% and reached 507 GW, largely due to solar PV and wind.

Renewable electricity capacity is forecasted to rise continuously over the next five years with record-breaking figures each year.

Solar Energy: A Bright Future

North Carolina’s recent stride in the green energy revolution was marked by the completion of the Brighter Future Solar Project in February 2022.

Mighty Capacity

Handling a hefty capacity of 15.7 MW, developed by Ecoplexus, its mesmerizing field of 37,000 solar panels extends over 120 acres.

It’s set to produce an estimated annual energy output of around 27,700 MWh.

A Sustainable Choice

The project’s energy yield is enough to sustainably meet the power requirements of about 2,500 homes. That’s impactful!

This sun-rich power station contributes extensive environmental benefits too.

Fighting Emissions

The expected CO2 emissions reduction with this venture is around 21,000 tons – a significant step in combating climate change.

This installation epitomizes Ecoplexus’ enduring expansion into solar energy and works towards achieving long-term carbon reduction strategies.

Onshore Wind Energy Expansion

With an impressive 25.5 GW installed in 2022, wind energy has proven to be the third-largest year for clean energy deployment.

How many wind turbines currently generate clean power?

Across the United States, over 72,000 wind turbines are diligently generating clean and reliable power, contributing to a greener future.

What wind speed is required to generate electricity from wind turbines?

Wind turbines start generating electricity at wind speeds ranging between 6-9 mph. However, they cease operations if wind speeds exceed 55 mph to prevent damage.

How often do modern turbines generate usable electricity?

Modern turbines are incredibly efficient, generating usable amounts of electricity over 90% of the time. This constant production helps maintain a steady power supply.

Does wind energy significantly increase total power system variability?

No, wind energy only marginally influences total power system variability due to incremental and predictable fluctuations in wind output.

Future of Hydroelectric Power

Hydropower stands as a significant entity in the U.S. energy mix, offering a sustainable, low-cost, and low-carbon renewable energy source.

This energy powerhouse supports grid flexibility while maintaining its commitment to environmental sustainability.

• Innovative technologies and strategic plans are needed to boost hydropower’s economic competitiveness and cater to environmental sustainability needs.
• Pumped storage hydropower showcases promising potential for growth, serving as a key player in grid reliability services.
• Economic and societal merits of hydropower include job creation, health cost savings from reduced air pollution, and considerable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
• An estimated 195,000 jobs could be supported across the nation by 2050 through fully harnessing the power of hydropower.

The roadmap for the future involves steps in technology advancement, regulatory process optimization, enhanced collaboration, education and outreach. To understand more about the vision ahead for U.S. hydropower, visit Hydropower Vision.

Growth in Geothermal Capacity

With a most recent global total of over 14,000MWe, geothermal energy’s capacity has seen progressive growth.

The 2020 geothermal capacity reveals an impressive increase of 745MWe from the previous year.

This steady growth is encouraging, especially considering the increased attention to renewable, green energy sources.

Contributing significantly to this development are countries like the USA, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

1. USA: Contributing over a quarter of the global capacity, with 3,723MWe.
2. Indonesia: Close behind with global contribution at 15.9%, amounting to 2,254MWe.
3. Philippines: Providing a notable 13.6% to the global geothermal power pool with its 1,928MWe.

Turkey, Mexico, and Italy follow thereafter, each supplying between 6.7% and 10.7% of the worldwide geothermal energy capacity.

To gain more insightful facts about the impressive growth of geothermal power globally, check out this extensive report.

Last but not least is Kenya, Iceland and New Zealand making considerable contributions, along with Costa Rica and other countries collectively adding around 8% to global figures.

The figures demonstrate a promising trend for renewable energy efficiency; indicating that it offers substantial possibilities for future green electricity generation.

Oceanic Hydrokinetic Energy

The vast oceans, significantly untapped, hold immense potential for renewable energy. Predictions suggest that by 2050, ocean energy could supply 10% of Europe’s electricity requirements.

Ocean Energy: An Untapped Resource

Ocean Energy Europe leads ocean energy discourse on an international scale. Their support and expertise help enterprises in the sector to thrive and expand.

Benefits of Ocean Energy

Ocean energy is a reliable, local power source. Its versatility offers various methods to generate electricity, whether through tides, waves, sea temperature differences or salinity.

Economic Boon Through Ocean Energy

Developing ocean energy could trigger substantial economic advantages. It promises to create numerous jobs in Europe and open up a massive global export market.

The Future of Ocean Energy

In Europe alone, plans are underway to deploy 100GW of ocean energy production capacity by 2050. This could fuel nearly 94 million households daily.

Achieving 100% Clean Electricity

The vision of Canada’s clean electricity initiative is a fully decarbonized grid by 2035. With 80% of the power already sourced from non-emitting sources, it’s a reachable goal.

Implementation involves the Clean Electricity Regulations. These propose performance standards that could drastically reduce emissions from fossil fuel-generated electricity starting in 2035.

“Performance standards set for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

They estimate a projected net reduction of 342 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions between 2024 and 2050 due to these proposed regulations.

Canada’s aim for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 aligns with the timing for these regulations, primarily targeting fossil-fuel powered electricity.

A benefit-cost analysis reveals promising numbers. The societal net benefit derived from these regulatory actions is estimated to be around $28.9 billion, taking into account a 2% discount rate.

Energy Efficiency and Equity

The concept of energy equity centers on ensuring everyone shares the benefits of green electricity, regardless of background or location.

Disadvantaged communities often experience the harshest effects of fossil fuel pollution and extreme weather events.

The upside is that they stand to benefit immensely from renewable energy technologies, energy-efficient housing, and low-carbon transportation options.

• Broadening engagement: Encourages partnerships with community-based organizations, tribal nations, states, local governments, and minority-serving institutions.
• Collecting more data: Helps track progress effectively and ensure everyone benefits equitably from clean energy advancements.
• Developing equity-focused research areas: Aims to guarantee wider participation in clean energy programs.
• Aligning programs with the Justice40 Initiative: Ensures 40% of the benefits from federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities.
• Expanding funding opportunities: Attracts diverse participants to contribute to a sustainable future.

EERE’s Equity-Focused Clean Energy Prizes foster grassroots innovation and tackle climate and energy obstacles at the community level.

The prizes help deploy versatile solutions while fostering equitable access to green power resources across communities.

As the clean energy transition accelerates, ensuring that these strategies are implemented with transparency and community input is key. According to Energy Australia, by actively involving those most affected and building local capacity, we can create lasting change that uplifts every neighborhood—making the energy revolution not just greener, but fairer for all.

Your Green Future

Embrace your role in shaping the future of green electricity. You can contribute to a brighter, sustainable future by supporting and utilizing renewable energy. A wealth of information awaits at your local electrician’s website. Welcome the era of clean power!

The post Harnessing Power: The Future of Green Electricity appeared first on Green Prophet.

In the pursuit of a sustainable future, many of us are turning to join or create companies in the space of impact, renewable energy, or social enterprises. For some big dreams to thrive, like tech companies with real products, you will need to rely on financial backing and exposure. This is where strategic funding, grants, and online promotion in areas like SEO come into play. Good ideas aren’t enough.

This short guide will help give you some ideas and ways to secure funding, even for initial pilot ideas or proof of concept. Establishing your digital presence is key, so think first about what assets you will need and what sort of digital marketing grant may be out there to help you start.

Governments worldwide or just locally in your town or region in Canada or the UK, will offer grants and incentives to spur the growth of renewable energy projects, and even projects that help communities get involved to save energy or conserve water. Scout government programs at local, regional, and national levels to unearth potential funding streams. It takes legwork but once you are in the system it is easy to access new grants.

Platforms like Grants.gov (in the US) or similar resources in other regions serve as valuable starting points.

Many non-profit organizations are committed to advancing renewable energy adoption. Look to local foundations, NGOs, and environmental groups that may be extending grants or financial support for your impact idea. Tailor proposals to align with each organization’s specific criteria and application processes.

Some corporations prioritize corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, particularly those centered around sustainability and clean energy. Estee Lauder does this in the United States and Canada. Reach out to companies sharing similar values to explore sponsorship or partnership opportunities. Corporate backing not only provides financial support but also opens doors to resources and networks. The biopackaging company Tipa, for instance, just made a deal with Wyld, an edibles company in the United States. Together they turned a business idea into a marketing campaign for getting rid of plastics forever.

Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, or GoFundMe are still relevant if not to raise money, but to start your early marketing. Set reasonable and attainable goals which are more impressive than the risk of not getting funded at all.

Venture capital firms and impact investors are increasingly looking to novel solutions to invest in. Sequoia in the US just invested millions in Upway, a refurbished electric bike company. You will need a pitch deck, and to participate in networking events, pitch competitions, and sustainable energy conferences to connect with potential investors. Start with angel investor networks before heading to the VCs which can take up too much of your time.

In the UK, for instance, several resources are available at the government level to support renewable energy:

Feed-in Tariff (FIT) Scheme: The UK government offers the FIT scheme, which provides financial incentives to homeowners, businesses, and communities generating renewable electricity, including solar power. Under this scheme, participants who invest in solar panels will receive payments for the electricity they generate and export to the grid.

Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI): The RHI scheme encourages citizens to start using renewable heating technologies, including solar thermal systems. Participants receive quarterly payments over several years based on the amount of renewable heat generated.

Green Homes Grant: This scheme provides funding for homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Solar panels may be eligible as part of measures to reduce energy consumption.

The post How impact companies can find grants and financing appeared first on Green Prophet.

The Taliban walks between hypocrisy and holiness while trying to figure out how to profit from poppies and not damage its local economy. Image via the NY Times. 

Off-grid solar panels that provide electricity to water pumps in lost and forlorn areas in Afghanistan have led to an opium bounty. The solar pumps that are stand alone and not connected to an official electricity supply have allowed Afghans to dig deeper. The idea started around 2014 and bumper crops have appeared since.

In response the Taliban which both profits and denounces opium when it suits them, have started dismantling solar arrays so opium crops dry out. 

Still, more and more Afghans are investing several hundred dollars a year for seeds and equipment hoping to make a ballpark $5000 profit. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Afghanistan produced 83 percent of the world’s opium from 2015 to 2020. In short, if you use heroin, you fund terror.

The solar-powered electric pumps also allow farmers to grow all manners of crops such as wheat, pomegranates and garden plots in a critical time when dozens of millions of Afghans face extreme food insecurity.

While the various Afghan governments over the years have pledged to stamp out opium production and drug trafficking they are unable to forgo the billions of dollars of profits. Opium feeds and fuels the Taliban: 

“We’ve stood by on the sidelines and, unfortunately, allowed the Taliban to become probably the largest funded non-designated terrorist organization on the globe,” said a US official with knowledge of Afghanistan’s drug trade.

“The US and international partners have continued to pull out and not addressed poppy cultivation,” the official said on condition of anonymity. “What you’re going to find is that it has exploded.”

Now after 20 years and the Taliban back in power they announced April 3 that poppy cultivation is outlawed and violators will be punished under Shariah law.

The Taliban had enforced an effective ban on poppy cultivation in 2001, just before a US-led international military intervention toppled the regime. From 2002 to 2021, the US government spent almost $9 billion on counternarcotics as it fought Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.

Taliban bans opium production for their benefit

The opium business earned Afghanistan about $1.8 billion to $2.7 billion last year, according to the United Nations with sales accounting for up to 14% of its GDP.   

According to a European Union-funded research project by David Mansfield opium farmers now rely on at least 67,000 solar powered water reservoirs. He has studied illegal economies and rural livelihoods in Afghanistan for the last two decades.

“It’s too bad for Afghans because poppy is the wealth of the Afghan people,” Shah Agha, 35, a poppy farmer from the Zari District of Kandahar, told the NY Times in a recent article.

“I think they banned it for their own benefit because most of the smugglers and Taliban commanders have tons of opium, and they might want to increase the prices,” Mr. Agha added.

Vice reported from the field about a month ago and noticed that despite the ban, it was harvest as usual.

With pictures in the Vice article of kids playing with bags of opium in the fields it’s easy to imagine the toll of addiction in Afghanistan in all ages abd walks of life. And it’s not only there.:Iran also faces drug addiction from illicit drugs such as heroin. 

The post Solar panels driving opium trade in Afghanistan appeared first on Green Prophet.

With the increase of jobs and lure to tech in the Bay Area, where to lay one’s hat is still a main problem in today’s housing crisis. Maybe you are a carefree environmentalist who can work at the office by day and rent  a sleeping pod by night but if you are over the age of 27 living in teeny tiny houses and sharing “pods” and vans with friends, being green is probably no longer a fun experiment. Covid has taught us the importance of a stable home and WiFi, the need for a good kitchen and healthy food –– and also about community and space where we can wander or retreat with our bubble of friends or family. 

So what are the options for Bay dwellers? A new planned community called Lagoon Valley is being built between the Bay Area and Sacramento, and the project developers believe they are doing their part for planet earth. They are raising the green flag for all the people around the planet who may love Burning Man and glamping but ultimately want to settle into a place that helps define values and community and which may include aging parents. 

Using green building codes that will go above Californian standards, Lagoon Valley says they will also protect, improve, and preserve more than 1,300 acres of land and resources. Eighty-five percent of the community’s specific plan is dedicated to open space and parks and recreation — creating an environment where wildlife and people can thrive.

With the Bay Area as the largest tech market in the United States, San Francisco has a cost-of-living index of 269.3, almost twice as high as Vacaville, California. Lagoon Valley, on the outskirts of Vacaville, which broke ground in June, anticipates its first residents will move in summer of 2023. It is just 53 miles from San Francisco and will provide fourteen neighborhoods with 1,015 homes varying in size and price ranges, including neighborhoods offering affordable housing, as well as age-qualified residences, and estate homes designed to encourage multi-generational living. 

“We know that creating a conservation community is the right way. However, it is not the easy way, and Lagoon Valley has taken decades to plan,” says Curt Johansen, Development Director, Triad Lagoon Valley, LLC “Investing in the planet means living on it as lightly as possible. We’ve done that with this dynamic community.”

5 ways Lagoon Valley protects the earth and improves “human” well-being

Gardens in the center: The community’s organic, community-supported farming teaches children and adults to respect, protect, and care for the land in ways that inspire stewardship, social connection, and wellness, not to mention delicious dishes. 

Wetlands preservation in situ: Communities that combine wetlands preservation and expansive wildlife habitat in their neighborhood planning create positive change. In addition to encouraging the ecological literacy of community residents, they help maintain a balanced ecosystem. 

Solar Powered Homes: Solar energy, both active (for electricity) and passive (for winter heat retention and summer cooling), is no longer optional – it is essential to reduce our carbon footprint, reduce impacts to the biosphere, and mitigate climate change.

Car-optional community: like big cities where people can walk to work or walk to their local shops and community centers, Lagoon Valley is an intentional community that will make it easy for people to navigate and shop by foot or by bike.  

Using reclaimed water:  California’s drought problems are a liability if you are buying a home. Will you have water for the bath tomorrow? Lagoon homeowners have the option to reduce potable water consumption by up to 50% through reclamation of greywater built into their home. 

Some 72% of Lagoon Valley’s 2,400-acre specific plan is dedicated open space and 13% for parks and recreation. The neighborhoods are interconnected with trails that offer easy access to adjoining villages, the Town Center, the Community Farm, neighborhood parks, recreational facilities, an 18-hole golf course seeking Audubon certification, and a Community Event Center with a full complement of amenities. It will be the first conservation community of its kind in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The post Lagoon Valley for living intentionally with nature and purpose in the Bay appeared first on Green Prophet.

UK Energy consumers and consumers around the world are facing an energy crisis as the price of energy soars and soon the sector’s regulator, Ofgem will be reviewing the domestic energy price cap.  Following which, it is predicted that households are set to endure a hike in the costs of their energy bills of anywhere between £700 and £2,000 per year.

Therefore it is no wonder that homeowners are already considering the options that they can take to improve the energy efficiency of their homes in order to reduce their usage of energy ahead of this forecast increase in costs.

Throughout this piece, we will be discussing the different ways in which homeowners can improve the energy efficiency of their properties in order to both reduce their carbon footprint and also the household energy bills. 

Top Ways of How to Save Energy

There are a wide range of methods that can be implemented in order to save household energy.  Some approaches are fairly cost effective, whereas others have a more significant investment, however each strategy will help to become more energy efficient, and over time will aid with the costs of household energy.  

Install Insulation 

There are many different types of insulation that can be installed within a property, from underfloor or loft, to cavity wall insulation.  Insulation works by forming a barrier to keep the heat within your property and therefore reducing heat loss. The prices will vary depending on the type of installation chosen and the location of the property. 

It is also worth noting that not all types of insulation may be suitable for the property and therefore it is suggested that a property survey would be recommended to investigate further the current insulation within the property, the area’s most at risk of heat loss and the options available for installing insulation.  Further information can be found on the Energy Saving Trust website.

Schedule the heating Programmes 

Scheduling the heating programmes enables a routine to be set for when the heating system should operate.  Often is not cost effective to have the heating on continuously and therefore by setting a programme to control when the heating and hot water are set to come on, a household can reduce their energy usage.

Using Less Heating

In addition to setting a heating programme as discussed above, another alternative is to use less energy by turning down the thermometer or radiator settings.

Upgrade the Boiler 

Unfortunately, old boilers are not as energy efficient as modern units and therefore an investment into a new boiler can save money on heating bills over time.  

New boiler installations can be costly therefore it would be worthwhile exploring grants for boilers should the household be eligible or, spreading the cost of a new system by applying for boiler finance, if needed. 

It’s also worth checking whether you are entitled to a boiler grant or not, as there are subsidies available to help with the full cost or partial cost of a boiler replacement

Upgrade Lightbulbs and Electric Devices 

Replacing normal bulbs with energy efficient LED light bulbs will have save energy over time, especially as LEDs can last up to 10 times longer than their predecessors. In addition, as household electrical appliances come to the end of their life, replacing them with more energy efficient appliances can help save energy.

Switch off Electrical Appliances when They are Not in Use 

Another simple habit to get into in order to save energy is to turn off household electrical devices completely when they are not in use, rather than leaving them on standby.  Over time this approach can help reduce household energy wastage.  

Draught Proofing 

Another way of improving a property’s energy efficiency rating is to draught proof the home.  Similar to insulation, the objective of draught proofing is to keep the heat inside, however this measure also has another benefit of reducing draughts caused by gaps around doors, windows, letterboxes or other exposure areas.

There are a wide range of installations that can be fitted to draught proof such as self-adhesive foam stipes, draught excluding letterbox covers, curtains and door runners or sealants, depending on the type of gaps needing to cover.  

Some of these measures like using Alfa Laval heat exchangers built by a Swedish company. These can be undertaken yourself by purchasing the materials and following simple instructions found online, and this can be a relatively cost-effective method of saving energy within a property. 

Install double or triple glazing

Energy can be lost through single glazed or ill-fitted windows or doors, and therefore by upgrading to double or triple glazed windows or doors, the energy efficiency of a property can be improved.

Install smart technology

The latest technology can be installed to assist with automating the process of controlling the heating system within a property, such as smart home thermostats.  Such devices can zone areas only to be heated as well as controlling the system remotely via an app on a smart phone and therefore only heating the property when required rather than by a rigid programme.

Generate own energy 

A larger investment suggestion would be to install Solar panels or a heat pump to the property so that green energy can be produced and captured. The government grant programmes for such investments have changed over the years. To find out more about the current grants available, please visit the governments website.

Summary

As the energy prices rise, and with the social change following the pandemic that more and more people are working from home, there has never been a better time to review the energy efficiency of your home.   

During this article we have reviewed a wide range of ideas that can be implemented at a range of costs to reduce the amount of energy used and wasted by a household, which in turn also helps lower a property’s carbon footprint over time. 

Most of the measures discussed will take some time to positively impact the household energy bills and pay back on the larger investment options may be a number of years, therefore before proceeding it is worth undertaking some calculations to ensure that the measures are suitable for the property and household as well as cost effective over the longer term.

The post How can I make my house more energy efficient? appeared first on Green Prophet.

Today, we probably hear the word ‘digital’ at least once a day. From digital technologies to digital media, digital marketing, and digital transformation, it’s safe to say that everyone wants to go digital. 

While the rise of the Internet of Things and smartphones significantly contributed to this move, the recent Covid-19 outbreak accelerated the need for digital transformation like never before. 

As business owners and organisations scrambled to update their legacy technology and keep their services running, one point was painfully obvious — they just weren’t prepared to digitalise their offerings. 

And so, to overcome this hurdle, today, businesses across the globe are investing significant resources and capital to drive rapid digital transformation, because ‘’the future of business is digital and automated’’ (The Scalers, 5 Digital transformation Trends For 2021 and Beyond).

However, much of these efforts have produced disappointing results. In fact, recent research conducted by McKinsey showed that only 16% of organisations reported their digital transformation as successful while the others were unable to improve performance in the long haul. 

And so, in this piece, we present some actionable steps that you can implement to digitally transform your business. From rethinking the tools and technologies you use to redesigning processes, we’ve covered it all. 

1. Creating the right digital strategy 

Sometimes, digital transformation fails because companies pay too much attention to technology and don’t focus enough on creating the right digital strategy. The reality is that technology is only one part of the equation, and digital transformation requires a holistic approach. 

The first step in your digital transformation journey is to create a clear and coherent transformation strategy through which you hope to digitise your offerings. This begins with formulating a digital vision at all levels, from the senior management to the last employees, middle managers, and external collaborators. 

The ideal digital strategy involves rethinking the business model and maintaining a culture of constant adaptation of products and services to keep up with the ever-changing market trends. By doing this, you can target what you’re expecting to change, what outcomes you can expect, and then deliberately design for that. It also includes changing the internal structure in all functional areas of the business, such as HR, finance, operations, marketing, and communication. 

2. Datafying your processes

Datafication is the process of transforming social action into quantified data, in turn, making a business data-driven. It starts by collecting new data from various sources using IoT devices, creating detailed customer profiles, and making your workplace, processes, and products smart. This process allows all the previously invisible aspects of your organisation traceable so that they can be observed, analysed, and optimised. 

Today, the numerous technologies that we have at our disposal make this process easier and cheaper. Using low-cost sensors, cloud computing, and connected devices, you can capture data consistently across different products, processes, and workplaces. And apart from offline customer touchpoints, data can also be collected through online or social media interactions. 

When you start datafying your business, the best way to do it is to start small, with simple processes or products that are relatively easy to datafy. Once those are done, you can focus on more complex processes. 

3. Analysing data

Once you’ve datafied all your processes and stored them in a distributed manner, the next step is to analyse the data using advanced analytics. In some cases, the data collected can prove to be the factor that gives businesses a competitive advantage. And thus, it is essential to use descriptive and predictive analysis to help understand the environment and context of the organisation. 

Use the data collected to create comprehensive analytical models using different data mining techniques. While decision-makers and stakeholders will primarily be involved in this process, it’s a good practice to share the insights with more members of your organisation. This leads to empowerment, which will result in a shift in power and culture. Also, in data-driven businesses, the real decision-makers are employees who either face the customer on a day-to-day basis or are directly involved in creating the service/product. And so, involving those employees can prove to be beneficial. 

4. Automating your organisation

Once you’ve analysed your data, the final step is to automate your business processes, augmenting all your customer touchpoints with smart technologies. In addition, you can also better understand the overview of collected and used data. And this is where AI can be invaluable. The end goal of the digital transformation process is to generate reliable and unbiased AI that results in increased productivity and efficiency. 

Once you have successfully automated your processes, it will directly affect the future of work in your business. AI will be more used to augment workers than to substitute your employees. 

To wrap it up

To digitally transform your organisation, you should datafy your processes, collect and distribute data, analyse it using various data mining techniques, and use artificially intelligent algorithms to automate your business processes. This will transform your business into one that is ready for the data-driven future ahead. 

The post How to Digitally Transform Your Business appeared first on Green Prophet.

As promoters of sustainable living and solar energy, we get this question all the time. Should I go solar? And if you look around solar panels are everywhere today. You can even find them at Costco along with a riding lawnmower and a she-cave.

Solar panels mean light or darkness to a family living in Africa or a family living off-grid in Texas or California. But since Covid-19, we’ve all started thinking a little bit about contingency plans. There is definitely new momentum for being self-reliant and sustainable and we all come to the question of solar panels for our own reasons –– even if we are not treehuggers. Some of us want to save the planet by using endless clean power from the sun, some want to save a lot of money on monthly power bills and earn attractive 30% federal tax rebates. Some just want reliable electricity for living off the grid. 

Solar panels sound like an amazing idea for a home or cottage. And it can increase the resale value. But Can I install the solar panels myself? The easy answer is, yes you can in the United States, but no if you live in Australia. The bigger question you need to ask yourself is Am I willing to take the risks? And — are you planning on feeding into your local energy grid? Will you live in your home all year long –– and how much electricity do you estimate you will need? 

Along with academic experts from a research paper writing service, we created a DIY solar panel guide pros and cons to help you through the early decision-making process. Once you read this, it will be worth going to a company that offers a solar calculator to help you assess your power needs and how much a system will cost with and without installation costs. 

So if you’ve come looking for a bit of solar advice without all the talk of kilowatt hours that make your head spin, we’ve put together some of the basic pros and cons of DIY –– or doing it yourself solar panel installation. We are going to use 2 case studies of friends we have in Canada who installed solar panels on their own homes and tried to maintain these solar systems on their own, and what can happen if you do it alone.

Before you jump on the wagon of installing a single solar panel on your home consider speaking with a local professional to understand all the legal issues and zoning laws before you build, plug and connect. 

Will you live in your home all year long –– and how much electricity do you estimate you will need? Solar panels can be easily scaled up by adding more panels, versus something like a gas generator which is limited by the average gas tank size.

Not every home-owner has the same needs and family situation. Some home owners will want enough power to power a few lights and charge cellphone batteries at night. Other homes might have more power needs that run dishwashers, televisions and refrigerators. Some homes will be occupied year round which helps cycle through the battery, while other solar panel systems will need to be maintained in a special way if the home isn’t being used continually. Will you want to rent out your property with VRBO or AirBNB? Would that work if you are the only person who can run the solar system? 

7 steps to DIY solar panels

1. Design your system based on your energy needs
2. Buy your solar system equipment: solar panels, inverters, racks
3. Install a physical mount for your solar panels on a roof or in your garden
4. Connect the solar panels
5. Install and connect the solar inverter and battery 
6. Connect to your main electrical board
7. Notify the local utility and request for PTO (Permission to Turn-On and connect to the grid – if applicable)

DIY solar PV panel installation – Pros

A case study: my friend R. runs a small solar panel system to power lights, her cellphone and a laptop battery in Ontario, Canada. Her fresh spring water is brought to the home and she uses compost toilets, so no need for power to run pumps. When her partner died she was worried about maintaining the DIY solar system her partner had built and maintained over the years.

Some days she was running around the property looking for the energy hog (an unplugged light draining the battery?) and she needed some battery education from some local friends. In the end she was really pleased that she could maintain the system herself and be self-reliant, all on her own. 

Saving money: 

The do it yourself (DIY) solar PV (photovoltaic) panel kits can potentially save you a meaningful amount of money as panel installations cost between $2,000 to $5,000 in the United States, or even more like $10,000 when you are working with large solar panel installations. This number can vary widely depending on where you live.

Less time investment:

The DIY solar kit solution you might find at a local hardware store or online is ideal for people who have a seasonal property as you can buy a less complex system and battery and have it running quickly. Just make sure it has a warrantee. 

You become self-sufficient:

Installing a solar system can give you a great amount of pride and when something goes wrong you can learn about what works and how to fix it. Your skills can be traded or donated to other people in your community and when you have children you can pass this important life skill to them as well. 

Put solar panels on your outhouse! 

Want a sun powered toilet? Some power in an old barn or toolshed?  If you are installing the panels yourself you have more freedom to choose unusual locations. Maybe on an RV roof? Your boat? Solarpunk up your chicken coop? 

DIY solar panel installation – Cons

A case study: My friend Finn bought a DIY solar energy system for $20,000 to power his off-grid old lodge that he purchased in a forest in Canada. There was no other source of power and he wanted power for water pumps, lights, small appliances. Finn decided that he could install, run and maintain the solar system himself. That worked for the first summer he and his wife was at the lodge. After a winter away Finn realized that he had not cycled through the batteries correctly before the winter and his entire system was fried needed replaced. That was a painful lesson. And it happened twice. 

Risks of electrocution, damaging home, falling from heights: 

Solar panels produce electricity and for that reason can put you and your property at risk from faulty circuits. Most systems need to be installed as a roof mount or ground mount and installing them at certain heights needed to collect the sun can be dangerous if you fall or if something falls on you. In some countries, installing your own system is illegal. 

Knowing where to install:

Every mount needs to be directed to collect the most sun, most of the year. Unless your mount can rotate you better make sure you know how a sundial works before you choose the location of your roof and backyard. You want to collect most of the solar rays during most of the year. 

Poorer quality PV panels:

If you buy one of the systems on Amazon or your local Costco, chances are the consumer brands aren’t as robust as the systems purchased by solar panel installation companies who can buy better, in bulk. If you want your system to last for a decade or a bit more this solution is probably fine. The more robust systems are expected to last up to 30 years.

Need to know some engineering:

If you think an AC/DC current is a rock band from the 70s you might want to ask for professional help.

You have high energy needs:

If you have high or erratic energy needs such as washing machines, refrigerators, or televisions, consider that increased energy needs – especially in winter – calls for a more complex electrical system. Consider hiring a professional who can help you manage storage needs and cycle your battery properly when your energy needs vary.

Limits on tax credits, feed-in tariffs:

If you buy the DIY solar panel solution, you will limit your ability to connect to the electricity grid company near you. This means you won’t benefit from tax credits or earn passive income by selling your unused power back to the power company. If that’s not an option for you anyway, then you are good to go. 

Vacation properties:

We rented a house that was running on solar power and the instructions for using it were complicated and uncertain because it was a home-built system. There were some knobs behind the coffee machine on the wall and we were never sure if they were at the right settings. Professional builds might give unfamiliar end-users more confidence that they are in a safe and well-run AirBNB or VRBO home rental and that they will be able to enjoy the creature comforts that they expect, minus the air conditioning –– because, solar! On that note your solar powered home might be a great filter for the kind of eco-clients you want to come and stay in it. 

Paperwork:

Unless you are operating a small system in a cozy cabin in the woods (well in the open area of the forest to catch the sun!), you will need to file some paperwork for the local authorities. Solar panel companies who do this daily can file paperwork when they are sleeping. You, probably not. Look into what this means for you and the state where you plan on installing the solar panels. 

Paying inflated prices for labor:

If you look at a residential solar installation teams are sent in on build days. Look online and do the math. While solar installation companies say they only charge 10% for labor, in many instances the labor is priced on par with the cost of the equipment. Do your due diligence. Then again, it’s not a bad thing to create some local jobs. 

Takeaways on DIY solar pros and cons ––  should I install the panels myself?

• A DIY system is possible and it will come at a much lower price than a professional solar panel installation 
• Going the DIY route means you will need to learn a lot and file some paperwork, likely
• If you are a handy kind of person or fancy yourself as someone who wants to be and you have the time and energy, go the DIY solar panel route
• If you are looking for a good solution for a residential home, we suggest you contact a local solar panel company for a quote. You will earn feed-in tariffs and get tax credits which will pay for your system in about 10 to 15 years

This article was updated June, 2024

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Every business in any area of sustainability that wants to grow and succeed needs to perform creative marketing. In doing so, it can inform potential customers about its products or services while strengthening its relationship with current ones. Nowadays, there are two main types of marketing methods.

There is traditional and digital marketing. An enterprise in areas like solar energy, commercial solar energy and DIY solar energy, can choose to utilize either of these types. In addition to that, there are enterprises which make use of both types combined. This is known as integrated marketing. Here is more about this and how competent enterprises are implementing this marketing method.

What is an integrated eco marketing campaign?

This is a marketing effort which combines both traditional and digital media. It enables consistent, complementary communication with the target market.

An integrated marketing campaign is a multi-disciplinary approach. It is also very popular. That’s because studies have revealed that 72% of all customers want to connect with their favorite firms through integrated marketing campaigns. This is because consumers normally crave variety and they also want to be reached in a way that is comfortable to them. Teens like Tiktok, older adults like Instagram and grandparents like Facebook. And some people who avoid social media prefer billboard ads, and email.

Many consumers watch TV and read their paper while also spending a substantial amount of time online. Hence, they respond to both traditional and digital marketing methods. Here is a deeper explanation of this type of campaign and how you can implement it for your firm.

The components of an integrated marketing campaign

An integrated marketing campaign combines multiple marketing elements. Examples of these are direct marketing, public relations, social media, print ads, yard signs, YouTube and Tiktok videos and TV advertisements as well.

For example, you can use a press release distribution services to distribute your press release. Every firm can mix up these elements of its integrated marketing campaign according to their own way. As such, this type of campaign can take multiple forms.

Enterprises that are training integrated campaigns is to see multiple outcomes. For example, the goal of an integrated marketing campaign is to have x% increase in new customers and total attendance at a specific event. Many firms have implemented integrated marketing campaigns and experienced marked success. While creating an integrated marketing mix, it is important to make sure that the main focus is about internet marketing. Here is why.

Why you need to maintain your focus on internet marketing

You’re able to reach a wider audience at a much lower cost. Thanks to the internet, you can reach millions of people around the world in seconds. You can create advertisements and post them online for pennies. After that, these ads can reach a plethora of people. In doing so, you’re able to create a global following and audience too. People spend many hours every day surfing the internet. Therefore, marketing online is a low risk, high reward type of effort.

The internet engages with your customers interactively

Nowadays, the opportunities to interact with audiences from any part of the world are gradually increasing due to social media marketing. Furthermore, engagement is also more direct thanks to chatbots. Brands can use these methods to interact with the masses and advertise. Moreover, they can implement experimental technologies as well. A prime example of such is Virtual Reality (VR).

You can track customer metrics

Digital marketing campaigns have one major advantage over traditional methods of marketing. You can actually track the performance of your advertisements. It is possible to track consumer data and use it to see the performance of a specific digital marketing method. This allows you to collect substantial customer data and use it to correctly improve your strategy. Traditional marketing methods had no way of accomplishing this. The ability to track client metrics gives innovative businesses a huge advantage because they can adapt to changing trends over time.

In today’s world, business is highly competitive. Therefore, it is necessary to implement the most innovative marketing methods so as to capture the attention of your target market. Traditional methods have worked well for a long time. However, the digital age is here and the internet rules.

Therefore, there is a need for digital marketing methods too. Smart brands combine these methods and implement an integrated marketing campaign. In doing so, they cover the customer base that responds to traditional marketing methods as well as the more tech-savvy clients. Furthermore, they can view metrics from their integrated marketing campaign and adjust to fit changing trends in the market. Seeing as adaptation is an important skill in business, executing an integrated marketing campaign is a perfect example of adaptation in your marketing efforts. It is the marketing method of the future!

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