Do you know where the energy your company uses comes from? And have you ever wondered about its impact on the environment?
We often switch on lights, computers, and machinery without thinking about how and where that energy is produced. Yet, a significant share of the electricity we consume every day still comes from fossil fuels like gas and coal, which carry a heavy environmental burden in terms of CO₂ emissions.
Even if those emissions don’t happen directly within your company, they still account for a large portion of your environmental footprint. Managing them consciously is essential if you want to reduce your business’s climate impact.
A concrete solution is to integrate renewable energy into your energy supply. Renewable energy is clean, produced from natural sources such as the sun, wind, water, or biogas. These resources naturally regenerate over time and generate no CO₂ emissions during production.
This choice, in addition to contributing to emission reductions, can highlight your company’s commitment to sustainable practices in a transparent way, while also offering economic advantages in an uncertain energy market.
Where should you start? In this article, we will explore four practical ways to bring green energy into your company: from choosing more sustainable energy contracts to installing your own solar panels.
Purchasing Green Certificates
Green certificates, officially known as Energy Attribute Certificates, are issued by renewable power plants. Each certificate certifies that one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity has been generated from renewable sources and fed into the grid.
By purchasing these certificates, your company can claim an equivalent consumption of renewable energy. There is no need to change supplier or install new systems. You will continue to receive electricity from the grid, but part of it will correspond to energy generated from certified renewable sources.
Depending on the market, these certificates go by different names, such as Guarantees of Origin (GO) in Europe or Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) in the U.S. and Canada.
Questa soluzione è accessibile anche a realtà di piccole dimensioni e utile per ridurre la propria impronta carbonica. Tuttavia, non cambia la composizione dell’energia che arriva fisicamente in azienda né influisce sui costi in bolletta. Se cerchi un impatto più concreto e diretto sulle emissioni, puoi valutare altre soluzioni più strutturate.
Green Energy Supply Contracts
Another way to make your energy supply more sustainable is to sign a green energy contract with your provider. Many suppliers now offer tariffs that allow you to match part—or all—of your electricity use with renewable sources.
As with certificates, the electricity you consume still comes from the grid, but your supplier ensures that an equivalent amount is generated from renewable sources and fed into the system.
Green energy contracts are ideal if your company has low to medium energy consumption, lacks the space or resources for on-site installations, or prefers not to commit to long-term agreements. They represent an easy first step toward the energy transition, requiring no technical effort or operational changes. However, the cost may be slightly higher than conventional tariffs.
Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
If your company is exploring long-term solutions, you may want to consider a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
With this type of contract, a producer agrees to supply green electricity at a fixed price over a defined period—typically 10 to 20 years.
There are two main types:
- On-site PPA: The producer installs and manages a renewable plant—such as solar or wind—directly at your premises. Your company commits to purchasing the electricity generated. This option is ideal if you have available space for an installation but don’t want to invest upfront. It also lowers energy costs by avoiding grid fees.
- Off-site PPA: The electricity comes from a renewable plant located elsewhere and is delivered through the national grid. This is a good choice if you don’t have the space for on-site systems but still want a certified supply of renewable energy over the long term.
In both cases, PPAs allow your company to secure renewable energy at a stable and often more competitive price than traditional markets, shielding you from energy price volatility. No upfront investment is required, since the producer handles construction and operation. However, PPAs can be complex to negotiate and may require legal and technical expertise.
PPAs are especially suitable for companies with high energy consumption and ambitious decarbonization goals. But they’re not limited to large corporations—many SMEs, especially in energy-intensive sectors, can also benefit.
Installing Your Own Renewable Energy System
If you have suitable space, you can install a renewable energy system—such as solar panels, a small wind turbine, or other clean technologies—directly at your site. This enables you to self-generate part, or in some cases all, of your electricity needs, reducing your reliance on the grid and cutting emissions at the source.
This option requires an upfront investment in design, installation, and maintenance. However, public incentives and tax breaks are often available to make the investment more affordable.
Self-produced energy reduces your electricity bills and generates savings in the long term. The exact output, however, depends on local conditions such as solar irradiation or wind availability, which means production may not fully cover your needs—especially in energy-intensive industries.
Still, this is a particularly effective solution if you want greater energy independence, a long-term strategy, and a concrete way to integrate sustainability into your business model.
Choosing the Right Path for Your Energy Transition
Every business can play its part. From simple steps to structured projects, there are practical tools to help you embrace renewable energy effectively.
At Kyklos Carbon, we help you measure the emissions linked to your energy use and design tailored decarbonization strategies.
Get in touch to find the best-fit solution for your business and move closer to your sustainability goals.
Renewable Energy in Business: 4 Solutions to Reduce Environmental Impact