How will your utility Promote Renewable Energy?

The creation, sources and uses of energy are often discussed—and often misunderstood—by today's consumers. In order to establish a basic understanding of renewable vs. non-renewable sources of energy, the following information was developed by the California Renewable Energy Alliance and shared with the Public Renewables Partnership. Information is about six environmentally friendly energy sources:

Solor Photovoltaic Biomass

Wind Turbines Fuel Cells

Small Hydro Geothermal

As consumers become more familiar with renewable energy sources and are able to distinguish renewable energy from other types of energy, we believe that they will choose renewable energy over conventional energy sources. Ideally, the term "renewable energy" will become a household word, equated with innovative technology that has a positive environmental impact.

Earlier this year, the California Energy Commission conducted research to determine renewable energy messages that resonate with consumers. In this recent survey of California homeowners who have not installed renewable energy systems, more than 50 percent of those surveyed said they would be willing to pay more for a home equipped with solar or wind technology, and more than 60 percent would be more interested in purchasing a home that has a renewable energy system already installed vs. a home that does not. Additional research revealed that the primary motivator for consumers to consider installing renewable energy systems is environmental and the secondary motivator is that renewable energy systems reduce energy costs.

Messages

Based on this research, the Renewable Energy Program identified two primary reasons that homeowners and commercial building owners choose renewable energy.

Message 1: Renewable energy is good for the environment.

According to the research, those most likely to install a renewable energy system do so because it is environmentally friendly. For these consumers, energy cost savings are an added benefit.

Renewable energy provides reliable power with little or no impact to our environment. Unlike fossil fuels that are extracted from the earth and can never be replaced, renewable energy replenishes itself naturally and is sustainable.
Renewable technologies like wind turbines and solar panels tap the earth's natural sources for power, reducing pollution and helping to improve our environment, our communities and our lives.

Message 2: Manage energy costs.

According to the research, those most likely to install a renewable energy system also do so because it managers energy costs. A powerful visual for consumers is the image of their electric meter spinning backwards as it sends the excess electricity to the power grid for storage when the installed system is generating more power than the site is using. Conversely, when the stored power is drawn from the grid, typically at night, the meter spins forward. This visual explanation of the process of net metering helps consumers to understand how they can measure the difference between the electricity consumed and the electricity generated. Another possible benefit for some consumers is time-of-use metering, where it is available. These consumers will reap additional benefits if they produce more than they need during the peak hours in the afternoon when electricity costs more, and purchase it back at night, or off-peak, when electricity costs less.

Tools you can use

The tools provided in this section are examples of successful renewable based marketing materials and fact sheets. This information can be used as templates to help design marketing materials specific for your utility's service territory. They should stimulate thinking about how you can promote the use of renewable resources.

Renewable fact sheet Fuel cell fact sheet Wind fact sheet FAQ wind fact sheet Solar fact sheet FAQ PV fact sheet

Geothermal fact sheet Biomass fact sheet Tax credit fact sheet Buy down fact sheet Muni flyer fact sheet Net metering fact sheet

Renewable Energy Program Energy Icons

Click on icons above to go to a full size version, then download.

Harness the Power All Around Us

The Renewable Energy Program energy icons for solar, wind, fuel cells, geothermal, biomass and water may be used to identify renewable energy products or services associated with that technology. These icons are designed to help educate the public about renewable energy technologies by creating a memorable "branding identity" for each of the technologies. The icons may be used individually. However, they may not be used to imply that the technology product or service is approved or certified by the Public Renewables Partnership.

These energy icons are included on the Public Renewables web site. We encourage you to use the energy icons on your websites. The energy icons are available in a variety of electronic formations on the PRP web site.