Guide to Renewable Energy Consultants

Alternative energy sources investments for your business are smart, as energy costs rise and we deplete nonrenewable resources. Looking to the near future, it's the only choice business owners can make to safeguard their livelihood against prohibitive energy costs and impending environmental regulations.

Renewable energy advisors exist to help homeowners and business owners get creative with alternative forms of energy. You can use renewable energy consultants at the following levels:

1. Green energy consultants will help you determine how you can best conserve energy utilizing new technologies and simple energy-reduction techniques.

2. Hire an alternative energy consulting firm to take your business completely off the grid. Your consultant can even oversee the installation of equipment and building modifications, given the right credentials.

3. Convert company fleet vehicles to alternative energy sources and save on fuel costs, reduce emissions, and meet emissions standards now and in the future.

4. Utilize alternative energy consultants during the construction of new facilities to build alternative forms of energy into your business from the ground, up.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Hire the right renewable energy consultants for your fleet conversion needs

If your primary concern is fleet conversion, hire a green energy consultant who specializes in that area. An otherwise-experienced renewable energy consulting firm may not be prepared to handle a biodiesel conversion for 20 tractor-trailer rigs, along with a company-run production plan.

I recommend: SmarterFuel.com is a group of renewable energy consultants who specialize in personal and commercial vehicle fuel conversions. In the Southeastern United States,contact Independent Biofuels for a fleet conversion consultation.

Bring renewable energy advisors into the building team

Sure, renewable energy consulting firms offer onsite or offsite blueprint review if your plans are drawn, but redlines and suggestions may require an expensive redraw and down time you can avoid. Bring your renewable energy consultant online before your building is drawn, and get some valuable advice about green building design.

I recommend: Agua-Luna Eco Consulting Services offers standard consulting packages and can customize to meet your needs, while C.H. Guernsey & Company can take care of alternative energy consulting and green architectural design services.

Improve your existing facility without a large investment with green energy consultants

Your business may not be financially able to move to self-sustainability right now, but wind energy consultants or solar energy consultants could certainly help you devise a plan you can implement in stages. If you're not ready for a windmill, solar panels or a converter box, find other ways you can cut energy costs by enlisting green energy consultants.

I recommend: Contact Steven Winters Associates, Inc., for corporate energy audit services. Alt-EnergyTech, Inc., can provide information about wind, solar, and hydro-electric options.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Choose green energy consultants who understand just how much you're able to convert your business at this moment. If you're uncomfortable or feel pressured to do more than you can financially handle, find another consultant who is more realistic.

The official source of Renewable Energy Consultants is
the Renewable Energy Consultants page at Business.com