The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will touch nearly every sector of clean energy: solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, clean hydrogen, geothermal and even nuclear. This week I talked with Craig Lawrence, co-founder of Energy Transition Ventures, to discuss how the IRA will affect the market in general and how it could influence the strategies of climate tech investors like ETV. Where do you see the most opportunity in the IRA? It has become clear that in addition to being a climate-focused bill, the IRA is also a domestic manufacturing bill. And the push for US manufacturing seems to be the least ..read more

Solar energy companies have been fighting the good fight on solar policy for so long that when news broke that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) would include $369 billion (with a B) for climate and energy, it seemed almost too good to be true. But there it is, in black and white: a 10-year extension of the solar ITC, a standalone energy storage tax credit, and enough EV incentives to enable consumers to affordably enjoy complete clean energy systems for their homes. Once the bill passes the House, which appears imminent, and is signed into law, it will give the solar industry better tailwinds ..read more

Working in clean energy is more than a job; it’s a calling. The public has a general understanding of the industry, its importance to the environment, and to all of us who share the planet. But beyond those basics, odds are their knowledge is limited to seeing solar panels on buildings or windmills across a landscape. This is why it’s absolutely critical for your organization to tell your story in a compelling, engaging manner that connects authentically with your customers and prospects. So how can you tell your unique story and improve your content marketing for clean energy? Finding Your ‘W ..read more

It’s no secret that the future of energy lies in harnessing renewable sources, like solar, wind and energy storage. The recent IPCC report highlighted the urgency of the clean energy transition. For those of us involved in marketing clean energy and other climate solutions, our jobs just went from challenging…to critical. How can you make your marketing efforts more effective when the planet’s clock is so relentlessly ticking? What To Do Setting the Right Goals The first step in any marketing effort is setting goals. Perhaps it goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: Marketing goals sho ..read more

Most people believe climate change is real. But they don’t know what to do about it. Here’s how to link awareness to action with climate solutions like solar. Talking about climate change won’t solve the problem, but it’s a good place to start. Why do we care more about natural disasters in our own cities and states than halfway around the world? As climate scientist Katherine Hayhoe explains: “That’s a problem called psychological distancing.” This is the same reason why an estimated 72 percent of American adults believe global warming is real, but only 43% believe it will affect them person ..read more

New Year’s resolutions on climate action are too passive for where we stand today: fighting an existential battle that is already well underway.  The 2021 United Nations Report on Climate Change repeated the clarion call from its last report with even greater urgency: We are rapidly running out of time to limit global warming beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels. As 2022 kicks off, solar companies face challenges on many fronts:  COVID has yet to loosen its grip, and supply chain constraints continue to vex the industry as record-breaking winter storms blanket parts ..read more

ESG is having its day in the sun. Is your solar company as sustainable as it should be?   Environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing is having a watershed year, and for the solar industry, this momentum is great news. But solar companies may need to up the ante on their own sustainability efforts.  (This article is part one of a two-part series on solar sustainability strategies.)   As more organizations face the daily realities of climate impacts on their operations, supply chains, and ultimately, their bottom lines, ESG investing is at an all-time high. Covid-19 seem ..read more

by Woody Welch Shining the best light on your renewable energy projects is imperative when trying to convey an effective marketing message. Investing in professional, creative photography and video will pay for itself many times over in the highly visual world we live in today. Here are some tips on how to create visual assets with great ROI from our talented partner and friend, Woody Welch, who has traveled far and wide shooting some of the most stunning solar photos and videos in the industry.    The word photography comes from Latin, with photo meaning light and graph meaning to ..read more

Six Ways to Keep Stakeholders Interested (and Close the Deal)   Commercial solar lead generation has come a long way from when salespeople found prospects by driving around looking for big rooftops. (True story!) But one thing hasn’t changed: the frustratingly long sales cycle of commercial solar.  Many companies want to transition to renewable energy. They really do. But the problem is, the people in charge of the decision have day jobs. And if their job description doesn’t say something like “make the switch to solar and be a hero,” it’s not long before prospects lose their enthusi ..read more

As the renewable energy industry moves forward with purpose into 2021, there is reason to be optimistic. But with Covid still devastating communities, the future for many is still uncertain. How can you plan your solar marketing strategy in such a volatile environment? In the U.S., the new Administration is giving the renewables industry a much-needed reason to exhale. President Biden has already begun making good on his pledge to make climate a top priority, with executive actions to reduce greenhouse gases, reassert our place in the Paris Agreement, and accelerate the transition to renewabl ..read more