A Two-Step Approach

Well meaning individuals are often captivated by the prospect of installing renewable energy technologies without realizing the importance of first making their facility energy fit. Installing a renewable energy source into your facility when it's not energy fit is like putting high-test fuel into a car that sorely needs a tune up. Step One: Don't consider renewables until you tune-up your facility.

Step One: Optimize Current Usage.

• Evaluate your current usage. How much are you using and when?
• Have a scoping study (aka energy audit) performed to identify low-cost, no-cost strategies that have an immediate impact as well as larger opportunities that exist within your facility.
• Evaluate the payback period, financial implications and intangible benefits of the opportunities presented factoring in all rebates, tax incentives and local and state incentives. Then determine which ones to pursue.
• Move forward with project planning and implementation
• Once your reduced energy needs are known, explore demand response programs and/or consider strategic procurement options.

Step Two: Not so fast!

There is no one-size-fits-all renewable alternative energy solution. The cost-effectiveness of any renewable installation is profoundly influenced by the physical characteristics of the facility, the location of the facility, the access to sunlight and wind, the amount of open accessible land surrounding the facility, local and state regulations, rebate programs, budget and energy usage. It is also influenced by each individual owner's goals and approach to long-term investment.

Soup to Nuts

RPM can assist your firm in a variety of ways, from assessing initial needs to evaluating which renewable technologies would be the best fit for your facility, short term as well as down the road. We can also help you choose appropriate vendors, negotiate contracts, supervise installations and evaluate impacts.

RPM brings a discipline to developing and implementing an individualized energy strategy to our commercial clients. Our process starts with finding and exploiting efficiency and demand-side opportunities within the facility as outlined in Step One. Once the facility has gained control of energy usage, then it can truly benefit from renewable energy. Step two is identifying the most appropriate on-site renewable energy opportunities given the client's parameters. From start to finish, RPM can help.

Remember: Efficiency first. Renewables second.

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