Saturday, October 21, 2006

Innovative Way to Get Solar Energy

Below I am going to post an article from the New York Times. For those who read this blog, you probably have noticed that most of the articles I post come from daily newspapers and websites of some of the 'mass media'. When I started this blog, a main reason was that it was a better way for me to share such articles. I had been posting links to articles through a Yahoo Group set up for the members of the NC State chapter of Net Impact, of which I was a co-founder and currently serve as president (only for another two weeks, though). So I don't blog as many out there do. I usually just share what I have come across in the area of sustainable business.

The fact that most of the articles are easily accessible by any of you is the point. I wanted to and want to show that many businesses out there are trying to be more socially and/or environmentally responsible while being fiscally responsible at the same time. The reason for this is that when I've spent time speaking about Net Impact to prospective members or other people, many immediately think that that sustainable business must just be of interest to the 'tree hugger' type. I, therefore, like to have at my disposable as many examples that are going on out there from companies that people are familiar with. Not all the articles fit that description, but the articles usually serve to show that this is not something that we hope to happen in the future. Today, so many companies are looking how to better help the community in which they work and serve and looking how to be less of a burden on the environment. They often find the financial benefits of doing so.
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Now, back to why we're here. On the cover of today's New York Times business section is a very interesting article about companies that are getting some of their electricity from photovoltaic cells without the need for the high capital investment (registration may be required) normal for such an array. The reason is companies like Developing Energy Efficient Roof Systems, or Deers. Deers has bought and installed solar cells on the roof of General Motors buildings. GM is charged by Deers a price that is less than what they'd pay by the local electric company and also are able to cut down on their greenhouse gas emissions. Deers gets the steady monthly income.

It's an idea that is gaining ground. The article lists other companies like Alcoa and Staples that are also increasing their use of solar energy in this manner.

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