With the recent announcement that Denton has committed itself to 100% renewable energy usage as early as 2020, trends in renewable energy usage seem to be playing out as predicted. It might seem that Texas still has a long way to go, but if you consider other business, industrial and governmental segments, the path to renewable has already been paved.
Shining Bright on your Bottom Line – More than Environmental Reasons
H-E-B, one of the region’s largest grocery chains operating more than 370 stores in Texas and Mexico, is shifting toward a more green-centric approach. The company reports that 6 stores are LEED® certified. In a continued effort to “improve the use of natural resources,” HEB recognizes that there are business reasons for “lower energy costs.”
Additionally, AMLI Residential announced that it would be installing solar panels across four Dallas area communities. In collaboration with Green Mountain Energy Co., AMLI is also purchasing 100% renewable energy for all common areas in Houston and Dallas. Not surprisingly, the move reflected more than just corporate trends toward environmental responsibility – 85% of AMLI’s residents said sustainability is of the utmost importance.
The Lightbulb Epiphany within the Education Sector
According to the EPA Green Power Partnership report released in April 2018, Texas claimed 4 spots in the Top 30 K-12 Schools, using roughly 38 million kWh of green energy annually. In case you are wondering – that is a lot. About 3,500 homes power per year a lot.
It’s not just K-12 schools. Higher education and universities are following suit. Rice University, for example, is leading the charge in new solar technology with partnerships agreements like MP2 Energy’s (apart of Shell) 3 MW solar panels. Similarly, the University of North Texas ranks in the EPA Top 10 for green usage at the university level. Last year alone, the campus accumulated over 100 million kWh at a 100% green power percentage.
Because of the improvements in cost and technology associated with going green, renewable energy solutions are now viable for most businesses, schools, government agencies, and industrial plants. In fact, if you are not actively considering making the switch, you are potentially losing on significant, long-term upsides – including customer satisfaction and lower energy bills.
Sources:
1. https://solarindustrymag.com/texas-city-adopts-100-renewable-energy-goal/
3. https://www.epa.gov/greenpower/green-power-partnership-top-30-k-12-schools
