Achieving 100% renewable energy is an important goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. Traditionally, governments have played a key role in driving the transition to renewable energy through subsidies, regulations, and other policies. However, with the right strategies, individuals, businesses, and communities can make significant progress towards 100% renewable energy without relying solely on government support.
Investing in Distributed Renewable Energy
One of the most powerful ways to achieve renewable energy growth is by investing in distributed renewable energy systems. Distributed energy refers to power generation at the point of consumption, rather than centralized power plants. This includes:
- Rooftop solar panels - Installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on homes, warehouses, and other buildings generates clean electricity where it is used.
- Microgrids - Localized grids that can disconnect from the traditional grid to operate autonomously on renewable power from solar, wind, biomass, and more.
- Community solar - Solar arrays shared by multiple homeowners, businesses, or community members who receive credits on their electricity bills proportional to their investment.
- Home batteries - Storing solar energy in batteries enables self-supply of renewable power around the clock.
Investing our own money in these distributed systems allows us to reduce fossil fuel dependence without waiting for governments to act.
Adopting Renewable Energy in Business Operations
Businesses have a major role to play in promoting renewable energy. Companies can install onsite renewable energy systems and purchase clean power from utilities or third-party suppliers. Key strategies include:
- Conducting energy audits to identify efficiency improvements to reduce overall energy needs.
- Transitioning company fleets to electric vehicles charged with renewable electricity.
- Powering operations with renewable energy credits (RECs) and direct power purchase agreements (PPAs) with wind, solar, hydropower, and biomass generation farms.
- Building new facilities to high sustainability standards, including optimized solar orientation, onsite renewables, energy storage, and low embodied carbon materials.
These measures allow companies to boost their renewable energy mix in a cost-effective manner without policy shifts.
Choosing Clean Power Options from Utilities
Utility companies offer programs and services that allow customers to source their electricity from renewable resources. This empowers households and businesses to opt for clean power options including:
- Green electricity plans – Many utilities now offer customers the choice to subscribe to a retail plan sourced from 100% renewable resources.
- Renewable energy certificates (RECs) – RECs represent the environmental benefits of 1 megawatt-hour of renewable electricity generation that customers can purchase to offset their non-renewable power usage.
- Community renewable energy programs – Utilities administer shared solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects that customers can subscribe to.
Switching to a green utility plan, buying RECs, or investing in community renewables are simple ways to boost renewable energy demand without new policies.
Driving Renewable Growth through Consumer Choices
Our individual choices as consumers profoundly influence renewable energy growth. We can accelerate the transition by:
- Choosing renewable energy options from utilities and exploring onsite solar installation.
- Opting for products and services from brands committed to powering operations with renewables.
- Reducing home and transportation energy usage through efficiency and conservation habits.
- Divesting from fossil fuel companies and investing in renewable energy stocks.
- Voting for ballot measures and political candidates who promise action on renewables.
Consumer pressure and market forces stimulate renewable energy expansion, complementing potential government action.
Financing and Building Community Renewable Projects
Local renewable energy projects allow communities to tap into their own clean power sources without government help. Strategies include:
- Forming community solar cooperatives to finance shared solar installations.
- Crowdfunding wind and solar projects through peer-to-peer lending platforms.
- Passing property taxes or surcharges to fund public renewable energy systems.
- Pooling community philanthropy dollars to deploy solar on public buildings like schools.
- Developing community-owned wind turbines and solar farms through pooled investments.
Community-led financing and ownership models democratize renewable energy access beyond policy frameworks.
Advocating for Pro-Renewable Local Rules and Plans
Although federal policies have a major impact, local governments make important planning and zoning decisions that shape renewable growth. We can advocate for local measures like:
- Streamlined solar permitting, siting, and connection rules.
- Building codes requiring renewable readiness and EV charging infrastructure.
- Property tax rebates or exemptions for renewable installations.
- Strict fossil fuel infrastructure permitting and environmental reviews.
- 100% renewable energy commitments and community-wide plans.
Pushing for renewables-friendly rules, approvals, and strategic plans at the city and county level is vital.
Achieving 100% renewable energy without relying solely on potential federal action is within reach. By collectively adopting these strategies as individuals, businesses, and communities, we can drive renewable energy expansion from the bottom up and power the transition to a clean energy future.