Clean energy, also known as green energy, is energy that can be extracted, generated, and/or consumed without any significant negative impact to the environment. Moving towards energy sustainability will require changes not only in the way energy is supplied, but in the way it is used.

In 2014, market data assembled by the U.S. Department of Energy shows that the historic shift to a cleaner, more domestic and more secure energy future is not some far-away goal. In fact, LED lighting, one of the four transformational technologies mentioned, has emerged as a powerful market competitor to traditional, inefficient incandescent bulbs. The DOE report states that a standard 60 watt incandescent light bulb can be replaced by a ~9 watt LED light that is 84% more efficient while emitting the same amount of light. And although LEDs cost more up front, they also last as much as 25 times longer.

Another beneficial energy source is solar power. The cost of solar energy is declining, and each year tens of thousands more Americans begin to reap the benefits of clean energy from the sun. Energy is now being generated right on the rooftops of their places of business. A recent report released by Environment Maryland mentions the fact that solar photovoltaics (PV) produce 96 percent less global warming pollution per unit of energy than coal-fired power plants over their entire life cycle, and 91 percent less global warming pollution than natural gas-fired power plants.

In addition to the jobs directly created in the renewable energy industry, growth in renewable energy industry creates positive economic “ripple” effects. For example, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, industries in the renewable energy supply chain will benefit, and unrelated local businesses will benefit from increased household and business incomes. In addition, costs of renewable energy have fallen dramatically in recent years, and continue to fall. This means that between solar photovoltaics and LED lighting, your business can save money and achieve greater customer satisfaction at the same time.