Commercial Clean Energy for Your Business

April 5, 2021 By Cedar Creek Energy

How Making the Move Toward Clean, Renewable Energy Can Grow Your Business

If you’re considering switching to solar, you may be asking yourself, “Is solar the right choice for my business?” That’s where we come in. As a solar energy company, Cedar Creek Energy is committed to finding the right commercial clean energy solutions for you and your business.

Financial Growth

Whether you’re the entrepreneur of a small business, or a CEO of a large corporation, a commercial clean energy solar installation in Minnesota will improve your bottom line by lowering your monthly utility bills drastically. Commercial solar panels save businesses money by offering low-cost electricity and a great return on investment (ROI). On average, most commercial clean energy sources will see cash flow within four to seven years of installation depending on the size of the solar system. The cost to install the system will remain proportional to the size of your business, plus there are many rebates and grants available to cover some of the upfront costs. Another bonus—investing in clean solar panels also increases the value of your property.

Sustainable Independence & Growth

Going green to save green is the largest incentive for most businesses today. But, investing in clean renewable energy also provides your company the opportunity to become independent from the grid by offering energy independence. Not to mention, brings you one step closer to corporate sustainability and increases your awareness as a responsible, corporate citizen.

Consumer Growth

Becoming a clean energy consumer can actually gain your business customers. Your current customers will be impressed with your commitment to sustainability, plus this commitment will attract potential customers. You can grow your business and attract new customers just by publicizing your new solar array.

Clean energy can also help build your brand name and customer loyalty. Folks, like your customers or clients, look very favorably on companies that have gone green with clean energy. It communicates to your customers that you care about the environment, you are committed to reducing your carbon footprint, and that you support sustainable building practices. Your customers, new and old, will be proud that your business operates using clean energy.

Whether you’re trying to grow your income or grow your customer base, clean energy solutions like solar, are a smart way to do so. If you’re interested in learning how solar can grow your business, we are here to help. Our team at Cedar Creek Energy are experienced, versatile and dedicated installers who have the expertise to create the perfect solar array for your business plus the customer service skills to keep you informed along the way. Contact us today!

How Renewable Energy Benefits You, Your Neighbors, and Your Utility Company

March 29, 2021 By Cedar Creek Energy

Why investing in renewable energy benefits not only you and your wallet, but your entire community

When investing in solar energy, most folks do so for the benefits that directly affect themselves, like lower electric bills and the ability to make profit. But, did you know switching to renewable energy is also good for your neighbors, your utility company and overall your entire community?

Benefits for You

If you’re considering renewable energy solutions, like solar, to power your home, then you likely already know how it will benefit you and your family. The biggest incentive for switching to solar is green (no, I’m not talking about green energy solutions.) Money is the largest factor for folks making the jump to renewable energy. Switching to solar allows folks to save money on their monthly electric bill and even create cash flow by selling excess energy back to utility companies and generating renewable energy credits. Plus, you’re saving the planet by reducing your carbon footprint. Not to mention, setting a great example for future generations.

Benefits for Your Neighbors

So, you already know renewable energy will benefit you, but how will your neighbors be impacted? There is a belief that going solar increases your neighbors monthly electric bills, but this isn’t necessarily the case. A new 2021 study was recently released by Michigan Technological University that proved the opposite to be true: “grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) owners are actually subsidizing their non-PV neighbors.” This is because most PV systems are grid-tied and convert sunlight directly into electricity that is either used on-site or invested back into the grid. So, by investing in solar you’re essentially investing in the grid. Not to mention, switching to solar actually shaves down peak demands when electricity is at its most expensive.

Plus, solar-powered homes are producing little to none toxic emissions. This means they are helping to protect their neighbors from the harmful effects of using and burning fossil fuels.

In summary, those who conserve energy through renewable energy solutions are providing more energy for everyone else while doing their part to protect the environment their community lives in. So, folks who choose to go solar are actually being great neighbors.

Benefits for Your Utility Company

There seems to be a general consensus that utility companies don’t benefit from solar energy, specifically from a profit standpoint. The Michigan Technological University study begs to differ, explaining that by investing in solar, it makes it so utility companies don’t have to make as many infrastructure investments. Many utility companies are even jumping in on the solar trend and partnering with renewable energy suppliers, or developing programs to benefit themselves and their solar customers. For example, here at Cedar Creek Energy, we work with folks at Xcel Energy to help our solar customers benefit from the Xcel Energy Rewards Program. As the landscape of energy production changes, utility companies are beginning to see renewable energy suppliers as partners, not competition.

Whether you have renewable energy systems or not, you benefit from the neighbors (and utility companies) that do.

Unpacking the Texas Power Outages

March 24, 2021 By Cedar Creek Energy

Addressing rumors that renewable energy caused the Texas blackouts

The recent news of the blackouts in Texas has the country in a whirl, looking for a villain to blame for the millions of Texans left without power. Unfortunately, a false narrative has circulated that solar energy and wind turbines led to the power outages, causing folks to question their reliability.

The renewable energy rumors fail to take into consideration the benefits. Solar energy has many benefits that Texas has not taken advantage of, such as the ability to store energy and develop independence from the grid. The reliability of solar energy stems from energy storage, so during the sun’s peak times, you can store that excess energy for later use. Unfortunately, Texas’ lack of solar energy has led to reliance on the grid which causes vulnerability during inclement weather and outages, which was seen first-hand during the power outages.

The failure of Texas’ independent power grid falls on every source of power, but the most significant loss came from natural gas, coal, and nuclear. The contribution of wind and solar is by far the least significant. The main culprit? Failure to winterize equipment against cold temperatures.

Natural gas production dropped significantly during the outages due to the cold temperatures. Solar energy production also dropped as did wind production. Frozen wind turbines did result in some of the power outages, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) which manages the state’s power grid, but these wind turbines also lacked the proper winterization that northern states have. Wind turbines that are winterized properly can operate in freezing temperatures. Texas’ energy infrastructure officials were previously warned about the lack of preparedness during 2011 when a cold freeze caused power outages in the state.

The ERCOT says “wind energy accounts for 10% of Texas’s winter energy capacity and throughout the entire year it is able to provide 24.8%, the second-largest source of energy in the state under natural gas, which accounts for 51%.” Whereas, solar energy accounts for 3.8% of the state’s power capacity throughout the year.

So, the bulk of the power loss came from natural gas suppliers because of the lack of winterized equipment which led to frozen pipelines that made it difficult for plants to get the fuel they needed. Instead of vilifying solar energy, we should be working to make it more accessible. Solar energy has the ability to power households, businesses and, essentially cities.

Renewable energy is not the villain in this narrative, but it could be the hero. Renewable energy offers a solution to our climate crisis- Texas is just one of the many states to see the first-hand impact of climate change. Renewable energy, like solar, offers solutions to get off the grid and store energy. Had Texas officials worked toward a greener future of energy storage, they could have better prepared for cold weather and power outages. If Texans continue to use fossil fuels to generate electricity, they will continue to cause devastating impacts on our climate, whereas the use of renewable energy, like solar and wind, helps reduce carbon emissions and save our planet.

Instead of finding a villain to blame, we need to focus on finding a hero like renewable energy. Solar energy is the future of a bright, clean planet. Not only does renewable energy reduce our carbon footprint and save valuable natural resources, it’s a growing industry that benefits our economy.

For more information, please contact Cedar Creek Energy. We will answer any questions you have and guide you to the correct resources. Working with a solar company you trust is essential to receiving the best possible clean energy for you, your home or business.

Below, we have also listed a few reliable media sources detailing the situation in Texas.

How Solar Can Increase the Value of Your Property

March 17, 2021 By Cedar Creek Energy

A look at recent studies detailing how solar increases property values and sales prices

You already know the main benefits of solar, like that it’s good for the planet and can save you money in the long run, but did you know that solar can also increase the property value of your home?

Of course, each solar installation is different and can affect the property value differently, but multiple studies showed that homes with solar are valued and sold at prices above similar homes in the area. These studies show that solar can increase the property value by an average of 3-4%.

The most recent study, Selling into the Sun, was conducted by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The research analyzed the sales of about 23,000 solar-homes in eight different states over the course of 11 years. The main goal of the study was to determine how much solar-installations add to a home’s sale price. The study found that on average, “homebuyers are consistently willing to pay PV home premiums” of about $4 per watt. For a standard 6-KW PV solar system, that means an extra $24,000 is added to the home’s resale value.

A 2019 study, conducted by Zillow, calculated the solar premium by comparing homes with and without solar-energy systems that were listed for sale and sold from March 1, 2018 to February 28, 2019. The study found similar results, stating that solar-powered homes sold for an average of 4.1% more than comparable homes without solar. This study focused on California, Florida, and New York.

Homes with Solar Panels Sell for 4.1% More - Zillow Economic Research Graph — Graph: Homes with Solar Panels Sell for 4.1% More – Zillow Economic Research

One reason that houses with solar installations can sell for more money than those without solar, is because they’ll provide substantial energy cost savings in the future. For many homeowners, especially those who consume a lot of power, these future savings are worth spending more money up front. It’s also possible that homes with solar-energy systems are more likely to have other features that make it more valuable, such as LED-lighting or powerwalls for electric vehicle charging.

Whether you’re a new homebuyer in the market for energy efficient savings, or a long-time homeowner wanting to upgrade your current property, solar systems offer an abundance of benefits, from saving your wallet to saving the planet. And now, adding more value to your property.

Contact Cedar Creek Energy today to learn more about how you could benefit from your own solar system and increase your property value.

Homeowners Associations as a Barricade to Potential Solar Customers

March 1, 2021 By Cedar Creek Energy

Minnesota homeowners and solar advocates are backing a bill that would prohibit HOAs from banning rooftop solar panels.

Homeowners associations (HOAs) across Minnesota have become a barricade for folks wanting to install solar panels to their homes. This legislative session, a group of homeowners and solar advocates are asking Minnesota lawmakers to support a bill which would prohibit homeowners associations from banning the installation of solar panels on single-family homes. Homeowners associations, however, would still be able to regulate installations. The bill has passed through the House, but has no Senate companion bill.

Energy News Network reported on the issue earlier this month, and spoke with Cedar Creek Energy CEO Rob Appelhof. According to the article, Minnesota is one of 23 states where HOAs are allowed to forbid members from adding solar to their homes. Some associations directly outlaw solar panels, but many do not have bylaws related to solar installations, which leaves solar installation as a case-by-case decision for board members.

In the article, Appelhof expressed his frustration. He explained HOA committees sometimes have the mistaken, knee-jerk reaction that solar panels lower property values for homeowners and their neighbors, although at least two studies have shown buyers are willing to pay a premium for homes with solar panels.

Appelhof, who lives in an HOA community, is one of the many solar industry advocates backing the bill. He says part of the frustration is that homes in newer, planned communities with homeowners associations often have ideal conditions for solar panels. This is because, for many communities, their neighborhoods used to be fields. They offer open areas without dense trees blocking daily sun, making homes ideal for solar.

Bills revolving around homeowners associations’ ability to ban solar energy have surfaced in the past, but have yet to become law in Minnesota. The growing popularity of solar, especially in a new Presidential administration that is open to renewable energy sources, brings hope to the solar advocates and homeowners that the bill might stand a better chance at passing. Plus, solar panel designs have been updated and upgraded over the years, making them more attractive to homeowners.

According to Energy News Network, the law could open a potentially significant market for solar companies, as one in four Minnesotans lives in one of the state’s more than 7,700 HOAs.

Appelhof, along with the other solar advocates and homeowners, hope to see change this session. Contact Rob at Cedar Creek Energy if you would like to know more about solar installation for your home.

Solar Investments and Corporate Sustainability

February 22, 2021 By Cedar Creek Energy

Investing in solar offers sustainable business models to grow your practice.

You don’t have to be a corporate mogul to make solar investments and practice corporate sustainability. Entrepreneurs, small business owners, and CEOs can all benefit from the lessons of corporate sustainability.

What is Corporate Sustainability?

Corporate Sustainability means engaging in a different type of growth for your business. Rather than relying on the traditional measures of growth, like maximum profit and increasing numbers, businesses embrace opportunities that derive from environmental impacts, social justice, and economic development, while also understanding the importance of profit and growth. This is where solar comes in.

Environmental Sustainability

When businesses switch to solar, the most obvious reason is for environmental sustainability. Investing in solar is the first step to reducing your company’s carbon footprint. Solar solutions don’t require electricity generated by fossil fuels, a nonrenewable resource, which gives you power over rising electricity costs. By going solar, you’ll be doing your part to help our planet.

Take Cedar Creek Energy’s client, Aveda, for example. The cosmetics company’s mission “is to care for the world we live in, from the products we make to the ways in which we give back to society. At Aveda, we strive to set an example for environmental leadership and responsibility, not just in the world of beauty, but around the world.” For these folks, it only made sense to go solar! They’re not only walking the walk, they’re talking the talk.

Social Sustainability

The second pillar of corporate sustainability revolves around society. The social impact of business sustainability can greatly increase customer growth.

Having a solar system builds your brand name and customer loyalty—it’s an investment not only you’ll appreciate, but that your customers will respect. They’ll be proud that you operate your business using solar power, and are helping to save the environment by decreasing carbon emissions.

Plus, potential customers will find your company’s commitment to sustainability appealing; you can actually attract these customers just by publicizing your new solar system. And, on top of that, having a solar system will increase your awareness as a responsible corporate citizen. You’ll be making a stand for the planet, your customers and yourself.

Economic Sustainability

Lastly, some of the biggest draws of investing in solar are the economic impacts. On average, most solar investments cash flow in four to seven years, depending on the size of the project. This includes tax advantages and rebates, as well as utility green energy bonuses.

The cost to install the system will remain proportional to the size of your business, and there are many rebates and grants available to cover some of the upfront cost. A commercial solar installation in Minnesota will improve your bottom line by decreasing your monthly utility bills drastically. You’ll be free to reinvest this money into growing your business. Plus it can increase the value of your property!

In a few short years, you’ll be paying off the loan you took for your installed solar system, rather than paying a utility bill. Regardless, you’ll also be working toward energy independence, something the folks at Aveda are already on their way to achieving!

The Aveda array is projected to produce 1,518,000 kWh annually, resulting in savings of $118,000 each year. An additional PV demand credit through Xcel Energy is calculated at a savings of $43,500 annually. The solar panels will also reduce Co2 emissions by over 1.2 million pounds every year.

Businesses large and small can benefit from following a corporate sustainability model by investing in solar. Contact us today for your free solar bid and to learn more about how you can benefit from solar.

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