As 2024 gets underway, let’s take a nanosecond to evaluate where we are as an industry. The climate challenges we face today are immense, but the opportunities are unprecedented for clean energy marketing to shine. Photo by Markus Spiske/Unsplash The momentum provided by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act gave a much-needed boost to public awareness of the climate crisis, while spurring unprecedented clean energy investments and record solar installations. Researchers at Yale University have been researching the rise in “climate anxiety” over the past decade and note that the number o ..read more

Sustainability is a buzzword that has woven its way into nearly every aspect of our lives. But what does the concept of sustainability mean in a clean energy context?  In a world grappling with climate change, resource scarcity and environmental degradation, the concept of sustainability has emerged as a beacon of hope. For those of us working in clean energy, the rise of awareness in sustainability and renewable energy in particular creates a tremendous growth opportunity. Sustainability as a fundamental business strategy calls for responsible, long-term stewardship of our planet ..read more

Purchasing clean energy is a complex decision. Consumers and business decision makers need trustworthy information to address the many questions that come up on each customer’s journey. And it is a journey. As a clean energy provider, you can be an indispensable resource by crafting highly credible content for every stage of the sales cycle. Your challenge is to cut through the clutter and reach qualified potential buyers with the information they need – when they need it. Presenting your company as a helpful guide along the way, rather than using hard sales tactics, will attract a more quali ..read more

(Spoiler Alert: It’s About the Customer) With RE+ now in our rearview mirror (and our feet almost recovered!), let’s get ready for a big finish to 2023. This year is expected to be the biggest ever for solar installations. No doubt 2024 is sure to keep pace. Now is the time to double down on your clean energy marketing efforts — and get your plans in place for next year. Never before has the industry seen so much forward momentum, especially with the Inflation Reduction Act providing a consistent guidepath for the future. Looking forward to 2024, more people, companies and communities than eve ..read more

Solar energy generates 4 percent of the world’s electricity, according to The International Energy Agency  — the result of record-breaking growth in clean energy over the last 20-plus years. That’s the good news. At the same time, 8 million metric tons of solar panels are nearing the end of their (25-30 year) life expectancy and could be headed to landfills by 2030. Not so good. Preparing for this onslaught of decommissioned solar panels requires us to advance the solar panel recycling process. It’s a critical step to fortify the solar industry’s effectiveness and reputation as a sustain ..read more

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 tailwind ..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 ..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 Perhaps it goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: Marketing goals should be specific, measurable and achievable — and carefull ..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% of American adults believe global warming is real, but only 43% believe it will affect them personally, a ..read more