Ten years ago, solar power felt like a luxury or a hobby. Today, it’s a serious business.

The U.S. solar industry has grown by more than 300% over the past decade. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), over 4.5 million solar systems are now installed nationwide. That number was under 500,000 in 2014.

This isn’t just a trend. It’s a shift. Clean energy is here to stay—and the people building it are figuring out how to stay with it.

Starting Small Is the Common Thread

Most clean energy companies didn’t start with big money. They started with small crews, a few tools, and a lot of questions.

“We were just trying to help our neighbours save money and keep their power on,” one team member at Wolf River Electric recalled. “We didn’t have a big plan. We just wanted to do good work.”

That company began as a local operation in Minnesota. Now it serves five states. They didn’t grow by doing everything. They grew by doing the right things consistently.

That’s the first lesson: start with real needs, not flashy ideas.

Trust Is a Growth Strategy

Solar sales used to be full of big claims. Zero bills, instant savings, free installations. Some companies still talk like that. But the ones that last don’t.

Customers are smarter now. They compare. They ask questions. They read reviews.

“We had a customer come in with a quote from another company. It looked too good to be true,” one installer said. “We broke it down. Hidden fees, poor panel quality, no warranty. They came back to us two weeks later.”

Lesson two: trust builds business. Keep your promises. Don’t oversell. If you make a mistake, own it. Word spreads fast—good and bad.

Education Is Your Best Sales Tool

Clean energy is still confusing for many people. Net metering. Utility rates. Solar credits. Battery storage. It’s a lot.

Good companies turn confusion into clarity.

They teach before they pitch. They walk homeowners through the process. They explain the costs, the tech, and the timing.

And it works.

According to a study by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, solar installations were 65% more likely to happen when customers had a one-on-one consultation versus only reading about it online.

“We don’t talk in tech jargon,” one energy consultant said. “We show people how their bills will change, how the system works, and what happens if it snows.”

Lesson three: educate first. Sell second.

The Midwest Is Not Like California

In the Midwest, solar has to deal with snow, cloud cover, and long winters. That changes everything.

Designing systems in Minnesota or Iowa means thinking about roof angles, snow loads, and battery storage. It means planning for shorter daylight hours in winter and stronger summer usage.

Too many out-of-state companies miss this. They apply the same designs from sunny states to cloudy towns.

“We’ve fixed systems that were clearly not meant for Midwest weather,” one project lead shared. “Wrong tilt, wrong materials, no backup. Customers were frustrated.”

Lesson four: local knowledge matters. Understand your region. Build systems that match the climate and the culture.

Employees Build the Brand

In solar, the crew matters. The people climbing roofs, wiring inverters, and answering phones make or break the experience.

Some companies treat workers like short-term help. Others, like Wolf River Electric, go the opposite direction. They’re 100% employee-owned. Every worker has a stake in the outcome.

“When you own a piece of the company, you show up different,” one team member said. “You care more. You take your time. You want it done right.”

Customers can tell. It shows up in how questions get answered, how jobsites are kept, and how follow-ups happen after installation.

Lesson five: treat your team like partners, not labour.

Scale Doesn’t Mean Speed

Growing a clean energy company fast sounds great. But many companies scale too quickly. They expand to new markets without local support. They hire fast and train slow. They push quantity over quality.

The best growth happens with systems in place—checklists, support teams, repeatable steps.

It also means knowing when to say no.

“We’ve turned down jobs that were too far out or outside our zone,” a scheduling manager explained. “We’d rather stay sharp than stretch too thin.”

Lesson six: grow smart, not fast.

Policy Can Break You or Boost You

In clean energy, the rules matter. Net metering changes, tax credits, and utility policies can flip a market overnight.

Staying informed is part of the job. So is helping customers stay informed.

Smart companies don’t just react—they prepare. They join state solar groups. They attend meetings. They speak up when rules change.

They also use shifts in policy as chances to educate their customers. When credits change, they explain why. When rates shift, they adjust designs.

Lesson seven: know the rules. Adapt fast. Stay vocal.

Stay Visible Between Installs

Most solar companies only talk to customers once. Quote, install, done.

But smart ones keep the line open.

They send updates. They check in. They offer system monitoring help. They ask for reviews and referrals.

This keeps them top-of-mind. It also builds more trust.

“A customer called us three years after we did her install,” a service tech said. “Her system was fine, but she just wanted to check something. We picked up right away. She referred her cousin the next week.”

Lesson eight: keep showing up, even after the job’s done.

Looking Ahead

Clean energy is growing. Fast. More states are adding rebates. More utilities are modernising. More homes are installing.

But the basics still matter.

Be honest. Be local. Be clear. Keep your crew trained. Answer your phone. Show up on time.

There’s no secret formula. Just solid execution, one install at a time.

The next 10 years will bring new tech and new rules. But the lessons from the last decade still hold. Especially for those, like Wolf River Electric, who built their name doing the hard things the right way.

The depletion of natural resources is linked to global warming and has many adverse effects, including water shortage and the extinction of plants and animals. More individuals now have a better awareness of this, so they take a step in protecting the environment. Businesses also step forward in supporting this cause. If you want to make your business sustainable, you may be interested in the expected trends in this field this 2022.

Data becomes more essential

Data has always been an essential part of any business, especially with the popularity of computers and other automated systems. There are now automated applications and equipment that can generate data, which you can use in ensuring that your business remains sustainable. For example, some devices can monitor your air conditioning or heating performance, and alert you of possible issues so that you can take action as soon as possible. It will prevent the waste of power, whose consumption is a large contributor to global warming as more carbon dioxide is emitted during energy production.

Decrease in greenwashing

Greenwashing is the term used for companies that use being green or eco-friendly as their marketing strategy. They boost their brand reputation but do not take action. This 2022, expect to see less of this, as people would want to see more transparency on what companies do in taking part in this cause. Moreover, certain organisations may need to certify sustainable or green companies, so those who do it for show would no longer continue to do so.

Increase in the use of commercial solar panels

The use of solar panels is not something new, but there is an expected increase in the use of commercial solar panels this year. Aside from their environmental benefits, businesses install solar panels to save energy bills in the long term. If you plan on going solar, choose a reliable installer like www.atlanticrenewables.co.uk to ensure that you get quality solar panels. Keep in mind that proper installation is also essential to make the most out of your solar panels. Otherwise, they may not generate as much energy as they should. Plus, they could easily get damaged in case of harsh weather. If there is a strong wind, for example, the electric wires could move or break. Heavy snow could also cover the panels, thus affecting their efficiency in getting sunlight. Proper installation would prevent these.

More focus on stakeholder satisfaction

Businesses used to focus on the satisfaction of shareholders, or those who invest financially in the company. But there is now a shift on the focus being on the stakeholders instead, which are the people directly connected with the business. These are the customers, employees, and people around the local area. They give more importance to the company’s initiatives that benefit the people and the environment.

Waste reduction remains vital

Reduction of waste would still be essential in business sustainability. Some ways to reduce waste in your company include monitoring supplies so you buy only what’s necessary, using recycled products, and going paperless.

This 2022, do your part in saving the environment and make your business sustainable with the abovementioned trends.

With the environment in a bit of a crisis right now, it’s essential that we all do our bit to try and help the planet. By living more sustainably, we can hopefully stop the situation from getting out of control before it’s too late.

Of course, not everyone wants to completely overhaul their life for the sake of the planet. Some people need to be eased into this new way of living by taking one small step at a time.

For anyone who fits into that group, these suggestions might help. They’re four little things you can do that will make you more sustainable without drastically changing your life.

Reuse What You Can

There are many instances in life where you have the option to reuse something or throw it away. Things like carrier bags and coffee cups get used and dumped all the time, with trillions of the latter produced every year. To try and avoid so much unnecessary waste, people are implored to reuse these things as much as they possibly can. Seeing as it’s so easy to do this, there’s really no reason not to.

Never Waste Your Food

It’s so easy for food to go to waste. Perhaps you don’t get around to eating something before it expires, or you cook more of a meal than you can actually stomach. You might not think much of throwing food away in these instances, but you’re actually harming the planet. Food wastage is one of the worst offenders for carbon emissions, so it’s vital you do what you can to avoid throwing stuff away. This means doing little things like cooking smaller portions or only buying what you know you’ll eat. Not going shopping on an empty stomach might help with that.

Get Apps To Help You Be More Sustainable

There are many apps out there that can help you to reduce your impact on the environment. For example, the PerSus app is set to become the perfect companion for anyone interested in sustainable living. It’s designed to show people what impact they’re having on the planet and guide them to make better choices. People can connect with others and see what they’re doing to be sustainable, as well as rating companies and organisations for better or worse. This app will hopefully motivate more people to do their part so we can enact more positive change for the environment.

Use Less Water

It’s easy to forget sometimes that there’s not an endless supply of water. Unfortunately, due to issues like climate change and energy production, several billion people already deal with water shortages. In some parts of the world, this resource could be hard to come by soon, and that’s not what we want.

To try and avoid such shortages, it’s best to limit how much water you use at any one time. That means not spending more time in the shower than necessary and relying on a dishwasher if you have one.

It can be hard to make changes to your life, especially if you’ve spent years living a certain way. However, if we don’t want to lose the planet, it’s vital that we try to be more sustainable. These suggestions are an excellent place to start, and once you’ve gotten used to them, you’ll be prepared to make more significant steps forward.

The important thing is to proceed methodically and prepare yourself for a challenge that may not pay off at first. Still, it should give you great satisfaction in the long run. So let’s see what steps an aspiring fish entrepreneur has to take to bring his project to life.

Requirements for running a fish farm

If you live in a mountainous place, starting a fish farm might not be a brilliant idea.

Fish farms should be set up in seaside locations or near lakes and rivers. Or, as the last hypothesis, where there are sufficiently large spaces to which a continuous supply of water must be guaranteed.

Another consideration to be made concerns the type of business you want to start. Are you interested in breeding fish for the food market, or do you want to take care of ornamental fish?

Having clear ideas is of paramount importance: draw up a business plan and check the feasibility and sustainability of your project. Depending on what you intend to do, you will have to move in a certain way, make certain choices, and make contact with certain people.

Types of fish farming

Raising fish is not easy. First of all, you need to check whether the place where you intend to run your fish farm has climatic and environmental conditions.

There are various possibilities, fish can be farmed:

• in freshwater (lakes and rivers)
• in saltwater (sea)
• in artificial tanks (inside sheds, greenhouses or disused buildings)
• in concrete tanks (implanted in the mainland)

The choice of the type of breeding you want to start is crucial. The advice is to review all possible solutions. Choose where there is more interest and check to limit economic effort. There are many expenses to be faced. Better to start small and wait for your business to consolidate over time.

Running a fish farm: what expenses do I have? 

Running a fish farm is not exactly like opening a candy store on your doorstep. The initial budget is essential. The economic return won’t come right away – according to experts, you have to be patient for at least three years before you reap the first profits. Make all the necessary assessments and take all the required precautions.

The costs to be budgeted are:

• the purchase of tanks or cages floating overboard
• the purchase of all the instrumentation needed to guarantee the ideal habitat for fish
• buying fry
• the salary of employees (you will need a staff of specialised professionals)
• the purchase of fish processing machinery
• buying cooling tanks for the transport of fish

Running a fish farm: last considerations

Prepare to face a challenge as compelling as it’s challenging. Much of the work is done outdoors, in contact with the water and the fish you will have to take care of. The weather has a heavy impact on the activity. You must always be informed and make decisions in good time because a storm could cause you incalculable damage.

Last tip, if you want to run a fish farm, you have to love nature and respect it.

The problem is, if you don’t tender to the garden, you won’t have the views to enjoy, so it’s worthwhile taking a little bit of interest in maintaining your garden.

The good news is that you don’t have to be green-fingered or passionate about plants to do so. And if you need more persuading, scientific research is always reinforcing the benefits of gardening for our wellbeing, and even by simply spending timeoutdoors.

Here are a few simple gardening hacks to take on this summer:

Prioritise a layout

If you want your garden to not be a time-consuming job, decide which things are a priority in your outdoor space and remove anything that isn’t. Sure, the wall climbing plants that look pretty against your fences may look nice, but is stopping them growing all over the place becoming a hindrance? Maybe it’s best to get rid of these and give your fences a nice coating of fresh paint instead.

Have a long hard think about which garden features provide value for you, and which ones don’t take up too much time maintaining. If you like to have flowers and plants decorating the edges, look at moving them into larger pots which will hold more water.

Any sluggish growing plants or flowers which need watering more may be worth moving into more sunlight areas so that they can blossom naturally on their own.

Focus on the basics

One of the main issues people find when it comes to garden maintenance is the lawn. If you have a big garden, this can become a large task and one that many people dread approaching.

If you want to remove this task from your life, there is a simple answer which is proving more popular: opt for artificial grass. You can now get high-quality artificial grass which once laid in place, needs no watering, no trimming, and no work. Imagine a life where you don’t need to spend time de-weeding the grass, searching for those pesky weeds.

There are many high quality provides of artificial grass, such as the San Diego Company Purchase Green where you can purchase green, healthy looking faux grass. This will give you more time to spend on assisting with any plants, flowers, and herbs you need to keep an eye on instead!

Choose evergreen plants

If you long fora low maintenance garden, think about ditching those delicate and needy flowers which need lots of work. It’s worth investing in evergreen plants, which stand the test of time season to season, with little work needed. Of course, you will need to water them and trim them when they grow too large; however, if you live in rainy climates, you’ll find they survive well from natural rain and can be left unattended for longer periods of time.

You can find a list of evergreen plants here if you need some inspiration.

What’s your bugbear when it comes to garden maintenance? Is it weeding and attending to flowers, or does that overgrown lawn give you nightmares? Either way, we hope our tips come in use!

Due to concerns over global warming, housing developments have started to adopt eco-friendlier practices. New homes are now being built with a variety of eco-friendly and sustainable features.

Here, we’ll look at some of the ways new homes are being built with sustainability in mind. If you’re planning on building a property, the features below are just some of the things you’ll want to focus on.

Increased insulation

When it comes to building an eco-friendly home, insulation is extremely important. Poor quality insulation can cause the home to lose a lot of its heat, meaning you’ll need to use more energy to heat it up. Insulation also helps to make the home more soundproof. So, if you’re building a property right next to another, good quality insulation is going to be crucial for adequate sound reduction.

There are a lot of different types of insulation available today. So, it’s worth researching the different types to ensure you’re choosing the eco-friendliest option for your new build.

Choosing more sustainable materials

Construction workers are choosing to use more sustainable materials in new builds, compared to traditional concrete options. There are a lot of alternative materials to choose from, with bamboo, recycled plastic, rammed earth and wood being just some of the options available. Take your time to research these alternative materials before choosing the bets one for your property.

Once you have chosen your eco-friendly materials, it’s important to monitor the build and ensure you’ve chosen the best contractors. To save time and potentially money, it’s a good idea to consider using the services of a company such as Andrews, who can take control of numerous parts of the development process, including site inspections.

High quality windows

A simple and surprisingly affordable way to create an eco-friendly build, is to invest in triple glazed windows. These won’t just help to trap heat into the home, they’ll also help to keep noise to a minimum. This is especially useful when you’re building the property near a main road. Similarly, you’ll want to invest in a high-quality door for the same reason.

The cost of making eco-friendly features in a new build can be off-putting. However, financial help may be available. Contact your local authorities to see whether you might be applicable for green grants which you can put towards the cost of the improvements. You’ll also want to shop around to find the cheapest alternative materials.

As you can see, there’s a lot of ways to make your new property more sustainable. Interestingly, building sustainable housing can be a lot more affordable than traditional housing. So, if you are building a new property, be sure to make sustainability a priority.

Follow the three Rs – reduce, reuse, recycle

When it comes to preserving the environment, following the three Rs of eco-friendliness is a great place to start. First, you need to reduce the amount of waste you’re producing in your home office – avoid using printers as often and opt for electronic equipment that will help you create a paperless office. In addition, buy sustainable or used office furniture to make it greener, and introduce several recycling bins in your office to make sure your workspace is both eco-conscious and clutter-free.

Consider natural flooring options

Australia is one of the countries that are known for their sound environmental policies and both its consumers and businesses are concerned about environmental sustainability. Because of the emphasis they put on preserving the environment for the future generations, many Australian homeowners who work from home try to reduce their carbon footprint and opt for brands that are in line with sustainable living. Many of them choose natural stone tiles from Canberra – manufactured from recycled materials, tiles are the perfect way to modernize your office space and give it an elegant look. There is a wide range of colors, sizes, and textures of tiles available, so you can find the ones that best suit your taste and preferences.

Go green by converting to natural alternatives

There are so many harmful pollutants indoors that we aren’t even aware of. The paint on our walls, our cleaning supplies and even the air fresheners we use on a daily basis, they’re all full of harmful toxins and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Not only do they have a negative effect on our health, but the vapors can cause painful migraines which worsen in number as the time goes by. That is why it’s important to keep your home office fresh and airy and switch to natural alternatives to help preserve the environment. Choose no-VOC paints for your office, and only use natural products to clean your workspace. Chlorine and bleach are found in many commercial cleaning products, so it’s better to make your own cleaning supplies by using natural ingredients such as vinegar and baking soda. Last but not least, replace your air fresheners with plants. Read more about the benefits of indoor plants in the next tip.

Add greenery to liven up your home office

If you’re looking for a way to make your home office space greener, adding greenery is the simplest and most effective way to do so. Indoor plants bring so many benefits that there is not a single reason not to implement them in every corner of your home. First off, they’ll improve the overall aesthetics of your office, stating clearly that you care about the environment. Other than being an effective decorating tool, plants also absorb harmful, toxic pollutants from the air, which is extremely important due to the VOCs present in indoor spaces. They use carbon-dioxide from the air and through the process of photosynthesis, they convert it into oxygen, which will help your office space to feel fresh and airy.

Make sure there is enough natural light

Converting to a green office space doesn’t only preserve the environment, it also saves you a lot of money. To help cut electricity costs, use natural light as much as possible. The amount of light present in your home office will also affect your motivation and overall productivity, so make sure your workspace is equipped with various sources of lighting. If the structure of a home allows for a skylight, go for it. If not, think about the ways you can introduce light into your office in a way that is eco-conscious. Opt for CFL bulbs – not only do they save energy, but they’re a great eco-friendly solution due to the fact that they are recyclable. Also, consider investing in solar-powered gadgets and install smart power strips to prevent vampire power drain.

Here is an infographic for work from home and energy saving tips.

Infographic Provided By Energy Pricing, a top competitor to compare energy rates

Use the tips above to go green in your home office and step by step, you’ll find yourself wanting to turn your entire house into an eco-friendly oasis.

LiFePO4 Vs Other Lithium Batteries

Before going formally into LiFePO4 batteries, let’s outline some info about the Lithium-ion batteries – the lithium battery has really improved in popularity because they have shown to be very vital in powering small electronics such as cellphones and laptops. But recently it has been discovered that the lithium batteries are flammable. This became a major reason why the lithium battery was not used to create big battery banks – to avoid any potential explosion.

Just in time came along a better remedy – the lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4). This version of the lithium solution is non-combustible, and it has the capacity for a lower energy density. LiFePO4 batteries are not just safer but have so many benefits than the lithium chemistries. The PO4 is known for powering high power applications.

One shocking fact is that the LiFePO4 batteries are not really new in the market but just recently start trending in international commercial markets.

Distinguishing Facts of LiFePO4 over other lithium battery solutions

It is safe and has stability

LiFePO4 is known to have extremely steady chemistry. They are developed with a strong safety profile. They are powerful Phosphate-based batteries that provide super thermal and chemical stability, which is able to offer an increase in safety over other kinds of lithium batteries that are produced with other cathode materials. It is safe and reliable.

Incombustible cell

One important feature of the LiFePO4 is that the cells are incombustible. This feature is able to handle the event of mishandling in case of discharging and charging. The LiFePO4 are able to withstand terrible conditions such as rough terrain, freezing cold and scorching heat. They are not flammable, so no fear of exploding or any possible harm. If you are considering using a lithium battery in an unstable environment or dangerous place, the choice for you is LiFePO4.

Performance:

Determining the performance of a battery is one of the major challenges when considering using it for a given application. Lithium iron batteries are known for their low self-discharge, long life and less weight which makes them so outstanding than the lithium-ion batteries. LiFePO4 can stay for a long as 5 to 10 years longer and their run time exceeds that of lead-acid batteries or any other kind of lithium formation. Their battery charging time is far reduced, which is a very convenient feature too. So, if you are looking for a battery that will last long, stand the test of time and fast charge, then, LiFePO4 battery is the one for you. Just go get a LiFePO4 battery pack for yourself.

Space efficiency

LiFePO4 has another quality feature known as space efficient feature. It is about one-third of the weight of lead-acid batteries and half the weight of other popular manganese oxides. The LiFePO4 offers an effective means of making use of weight and space. This will make your product very efficient.

Environmental impact

LiFePO4 batteries are known to be non-toxic, has not rare earth metals, non-contaminating which make them environmentally safe to be used. Other batteries like the lead-acid and nickel oxide are filled with high environmental risk. This is due to the internal chemical degrade structure which can trigger leakage. LiFePO4 offers many other significant energy saving features which include: charge efficiency and an improved discharge, enhanced lifespan of over 2000 times compared to other batteries, ability to deep cycle during maintaining performance. It is safety conscious as it has been able to pass many safety tests. It is pollution free and just as expected is well affordable.

LED Lighting
LED lighting is the first step – those conversions typically have a 1-2 year return on investment (lower if there are utility incentives available). If you look up and see T12 fluorescents still in use, it’s best to get those swapped out to LEDs to see immediate savings. Look beyond your indoor lighting as parking lots can be home to inefficient metal halides. Daylight control sensors can add a bit of upfront cost to these upgrades, but they pay dividends down the road with lower usage and lower replacement costs (a light not used is a light not replaced). 

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats are a must – both for reducing heating and cooling costs, They also give a business owner a lot of control over their facility, an added benefit. With a programable schedule, a smart thermostat can sense building usage patterns and adapt to your operational needs. When it comes to managing multiple properties, having the ability to compare energy use and set schedules is also handy, using included software viewable offsite through your phone or your computer. When it comes to your roof top units, HVAC upgrades are not a low ROI when replacing good working units but purchasing high efficiency at your next scheduled replacement is a must.  Again, when combined with utility incentives, this can be very cost effective. 

Economizers on HVAC Units

Economizers on HVAC units are great options for businesses with high occupancy or commercial cooking equipment, as they bring in fresh air to offset cooling demands on equipment (saving lifetime on units and energy). Many of these changes not only reduce your business’s energy consumption but have the added benefit of improving working conditions for employees and comfort levels for customers.

Recycling& Composting

Recycling and composting are a must for a modern office, and while not always cost-effective, they’re an important part of engaging younger workers. While composting doesn’t always seem attractive in an office or work setting, it’s mandated in some cities around the country and in doing so, reduces garbage that would otherwise end up in a landfill by a third. When done correctly, or by utilizing a composting service, you will not even notice a compost bin added to your employee break room or kitchen.

Employee transportation

Both large and small businesses should consider how their employees commute to work every day, and the distance to which they travel. Reducing vehicle congestion is one way to help make a city more sustainable, but also offering this as a benefit boosts employee health and moral. Offering employees a transportation benefit can also be at no cost to the company, and can be a payroll tax deduction. Making options for public transit and walking or biking to work is also essential and are often no cost to the business.

Solar Power

Finally, Solar Power on our businessroofs is on the horizon – your timeline for payback is the only limitingfactor.  Most businesses that own theirbuilding and have a good roof can finance a solar array over 20 years, creatinga cash flow positive situation.  Inaddition, there are so many tax benefits to a business for upgrading to solarin 2019, that you can actually create a cash infusion with the tax saving alongwith lowering your monthly energy costs. You might see a commontheme among a majority of the sustainable investments – they lead to bothenergy savings and a reduced maintenance burden on the business.  These are attitudes in leadership that builda healthy and sustainable business.  Ioften think about businesses that do not invest in trends in sustainability.There are hundreds and thousands of examples of businesses that do not investin the current trends and are still around today.  However, as a generalization, those that donot invest in current sustainability trends also do not invest in theirbusiness overall, and likely won’t be around tomorrow.

Article Contributed by: 

Jamie founded Verde Energy Efficiency Experts in 2010 with the mission to find and implement energy efficiency savings for customers in unexpected places within their business. Verde continues to grow its diverse offerings to businesses in order to provide solutions to lower operating costs and improve their triple bottom line.