Green Energy Goals are an important part of any political system, as they set the top down precedent for behavior and define the course of industry as we all work together towards positive conservation efforts. Environmental efforts are not always front and center in the conversation about how to run our local, state, and national government, but year after year it is becoming increasingly apparent that climate initiatives are important to the population and planet. Today we wanted to explore the case for Green Energy Goals, and shine a spotlight on their enduring importance.
Green Energy Goals can be generally defined as any local, state, or federal initiative which promotes energy conservation and incentivizes the adoption of clean energy technology and ideology. This can range from creating limits on the production of pollutants to offering financial incentives for the installation of energy efficient appliances.
Climate Initiatives cannot pass unless there are politicians who are willing to put forth legislation to support them, but once there is enough public support for such initiatives, it becomes easier to see them as more than a fringe concern. Once we reach the point where actual change is supported from the top, this legislation serves as a signpost to those impacted that this is where we should be focusing our time and efforts.
In the case of green energy goals, this would mean that companies should invest more time and money into developing appliances and technology which is clean and efficient, because those efforts will be supported by programs. It also signals to consumers that they should themselves invest in clean energy products, with the assurance that support will be provided in the form of credits and rebates. Let’s look at some of these initiatives in greater detail.
California Green Energy Goals
One of the most substantive clean energy initiatives in California has been the creation of Net Energy Metering. This program was designed to encourage California residents to adopt solar energy systems by offering incentives to those who generated power at their residences and provided excess power to the grid they were tethered to. As far as Green Energy Goals are concerned, this program has been generally very positive, but there is certainly room for improvement.
On the pro side, the value offered by NEM has given many Californians cause to adopt solar + storage solutions for their homes, and those who have done so have been able to reap the benefits of solar for years, regardless of what adjustments are made to the program. From NEM 1 to NEM 2 and now NEM 3, those who installed solar have greatly benefitted from doing so, and our state has made significant progress towards its own clean energy initiatives as a result of this program. However, recent changes have seen the value of the program shifted to heavily favor storage enabled systems, and would seem to fly in the face of California’s stated Green Energy Goals.
Reduced emissions and increased reliance on solar is a noble goal to set, but it requires that access to solar technology be increased, not reduced. We would like to see adjustments to the current system that add increased value to a solar installation because widespread solar adoption is in line with what our state is trying to achieve. It only makes sense to help people access the technology that the state needs them to have in order to hit its goals.
Federal Environmental Programs
When the federal government passed the Inflation Reduction Act, it sent a clear message to industries and citizens alike that clean energy was a priority for the administration. This kind of act signals to the producers of the world that energy efficient technology is important, and represents a significant investment in efforts which will promote this technology. This is our government acknowledging that the health of our planet and our environment isn’t a second string issue; there is significant funding and effort being directed towards ensuring that this issue isn’t left by the wayside.
To that end, the Inflation Reduction Act has been a powerfully positive force for climate initiatives, and our only hope is that it will remain in place for the foreseeable future, with no fossil fuel amendments that would undermine the integrity of the project. This act was too big a win for the environment to see it diluted by poor political maneuvering.
Ultimately, Green Energy Goals are so important because they are something for us to aspire to. For our generation and for future generations to come, we must not abandon our stewardship of the environment. Thoughtful and considerate legislation is the only way to ensure that companies are encouraged to reduce pollutants and that consumers are supported in transitioning to energy efficient appliances. If you’re interested in contributing to the Green Energy Goals of your state and country, you can schedule a free solar consultation today, or use our modeling tool to see just what your home could look like with a solar installation.
