Banks who choose to favour more eco-friendly solutions can do their part in reducing the strain on the planet’s resources and better align with their customer’s expectations at the same time. One way banks in which can become more eco-friendly is by introducing more eco-friendly payment solutions. By introducing these solutions, banks will not only improve their bottom line, but they will also be embracing the environmental aspirations of their customers.

Here are some of the ways that banks can make their payment solutions more eco-friendly:

1. Encourage Circular Thinking

For a long time now, businesses have followed the take, make, dispose-of paradigm, the ‘linear economy’, in which resources are seen as endless. In fact, evidence suggests that only 9% of 89 billion tons of materials are re-used or recycled.

Today, single-use plastic accounts for over 40% of the world’s plastic production. Thanks to this, plastic pollution is now one of the most serious environmental issues in the world. However, plastic still remains one of the main materials of the modern world and despite more and more people understanding the issues we face, plastic production is still on the increase.

With this in mind, we need to think of ways to overcome these issues, such as changing behaviours, business models and consumption models. Changes to plastic recycling and plastics will have a huge impact on taking care of the world around us by reducing oil consumption, saving landfill space, reducing emissions, and saving energy. Banks need to challenge the take, make, dispose linear model, and instead replace it with a reduce, reuse, recycle way of thinking.

2. Introduce Greener Payment Solutions

If banks want to continue to thrive in this eco-conscious world, they need to consider offering their customers more eco-friendly payment solutions. A recent survey suggested that nearly 90% of consumers expected their banks to offer more eco-friendly cards. In fact, many of these consumers also stated that they would change banks if their bank wasn’t eco-conscious.

3. Have an All-Inclusive Eco-Friendly Approach

Customers have begun to demand that banks offer eco-friendly solutions in the payment value chain. Evidence suggests that 65% of customers expect banks to offer digital statements as an alternative to paper documents, and over 70% of consumers believe that banks should offer a recycling service for old, unused cards.

As a result of this, banks should consider making their payment cards out of more eco-friendly materials. However, this is not the only thing they need to do. They should also consider reducing their carbon footprint, recycling expired cards, replacing paper statements with digital alternatives, and introducing more eco-friendly packaging.

Green banking is no longer something to simply consider; it is something that needs to be done now. Banks that move from a linear to a circular economy are not only aligning with their customers’ expectations who decide whether a brand flourishes or withers, but they are also taking responsibility from an ethical perspective.

Check out Pay iO if you are looking for a trusted banking partner for your business.

The post Why Should Banks Implement Eco-Friendly Payment Solutions? first appeared on BioEnergy Consult.

Today we’ll cover how green financing can be used to encourage sustainable development on the company and individual scale.

What is Green Financing?

Green financing at its most basic is the use of public money, personal loans, and micro-lending to support sustainability. The goal of green financing is to encourage change in favor of environmentally friendly actions.

It can be everything from large scale investment into tools to fight climate change all the way down to small personal online loans next day for consumers. This allows everyone to do their part to help promote sustainability.

Most green loans are tied to specific metrics. They can cover everything from large companies to the type of washing machine you purchase.

How Green Financing Works

Like any financial product there’s a huge range of green financing options. One of the most prominent examples is sustainability-focused venture capital firms.

These VC firms search for early-stage startups with a focus on the environment. They combine their financial goals together with their vision of what the planet should be.

By far the largest subset of their focus is on reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and fighting emissions. On the individual scale there’s lots of focus on lowering your carbon footprint.

Lots of loans are specifically put in place for people to buy green friendly products.

What Qualifies as Sustainable Projects

There are tons of early to middle stage startups with a sustainability focus. These are all key examples of large scale green financing.

Many of the projects are receiving the most funding focus on clean power and the use of renewables. Think electric vehicles, charging stations, battery enhancements, solar and wind energy, etc.

Another major sector is advancements in water purification, desalination, and ocean cleanup. These also include interesting projects like advanced agriculture and reducing the overall reliance on irrigation.

For individuals most green financing is related to their home or vehicle. There are lots of online loans same day available for things like energy efficient appliances or vehicles. These often combine with tax credits as a way to encourage people to reduce their overall energy consumption habits.

One of the biggest uses of green financing by individuals is to buy an electric or hybrid car. This reduces the often high price of these advanced vehicles and makes it more attractive to drive one.

Another big one is to finance green renovations to your home. If you want to improve your home’s insulation or add on a solar power system there’s ample funding available. These often combine with tax breaks and utility buyback programs to make it an even more attractive option.

Turnaround Time for Financing Decisions

With venture capital the around time for high-quality opportunities is often very rapid. If you have a great model for your business and can show a clear return potential they’ll often respond within just a few days.

For green financing other factors come into play. Most green venture capital funds have very specific requirements on what they’re looking for. Do your research before contacting them and make sure you represent what they’re looking for.

How much you should reasonably expect to receive depends on how far along in the process you are. Seed stage companies generally receive less than $1 million. Series A and Series B can receive more but still much less than more mature companies with proven revenue and a customer base.

For personal green loans the turnaround is often much faster. Many companies offer instant or at least same day approval for well qualified borrowers. This gives you the freedom to begin making your plans immediately after receiving funds.

Make Changes Today

The clock is running down on our ability to head off the effects of climate change. Green financing is one of the best ways to make changes in the world and your life. It funds the technology that may save humanity and allows individuals to make changes to their home and car to reduce their own carbon footprint.

Recommended Reading: The Rising Appeal of ESG Investments

The post Green Financing as a Tool for Sustainable Development first appeared on BioEnergy Consult.

It’s said money doesn’t grow on trees, but in the case of solar panels, it does fall from the sky.

Commercial Solar Panels Decrease Energy Costs

Solar panels cut down on the amount of energy you pay for, because all day every day, you’re producing your own.

There is a common misconception that solar panels only work when the sun is blaring but this isn’t the case. Even on an average day in the depths of a British Winter, solar panels produce enough energy.

When you generate your own solar power, you only have to switch to the National Grid at night. With most small businesses using less power at night, this can offer huge savings.

More than that, small business owners protect themselves from losses due to energy price increases. As the cost of using the National Grid rises, solar panels save a small business owner more and more money.

Generate a Passive Income

Feed-in-tariffs (FIT) offer a big ROI for business owners who want to install solar panels. FIT is a government scheme which intends to encourage people to adopt low-carbon and renewable energy technologies, by paying them to do so.

Under FIT, every unit of energy your solar PV system generates is paid for whether you use that energy or not, and you’re paid for any energy your system produces that goes back into the national grid.

This allows small business owners to generate a passive income for twenty years, guaranteed by the UK government. As if it couldn’t get any better, all the money earned under FIT is completely tax free.

The Cost of Installation Has Decreased

Many small business owners were reluctant to switch to solar panels because of the high initial outlay. Since the launch of the FIT scheme, the cost of installation has decreased dramatically, which means business owners will see their solar panels generate returns faster now than at any other point.

There are plenty of subsidies available to those who are looking to install commercial solar panels, because the government wants renewable energy to work for individuals and businesses. This also means the return on investment for solar panel technologies is at a high.

Helping the Environment Helps Your Business

If businesses are looking for sustainable and long-term growth, thinking conscientiously about the environment is crucial. With global temperatures rising, the rising costs of food and energy are going to have a massive impact on how consumers spend their money.

Switching to sustainable energy now has a positive impact on the ecosystem, which protects the pockets of consumers of your products for years to come. Decreased outgoings for energy means greater savings, and a show of environmental care can increase your prestige in a crowded market.

The Return on Investment

The safest commercial solar panels for investment cost very little to maintain once they’re installed, and can last up to thirty years. The estimated savings for residential properties over a twenty-year period is around £9,000, and for commercial properties that figure extends even higher; a small business can look to save £16,000.

No planning permission is required for businesses to install solar panels, saving you time which can save you money. Low installation costs, a decrease in energy outgoings and the generation of a passive income means the ROI of solar panels is higher now than at any other point. Solar energy works wonders for your business and the planet.

The post ROI of Commercial Solar Panels for Business Owners first appeared on BioEnergy Consult.

Since charities are looking for new and innovative methods for fundraising, they can either accept cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin – the first-ever and the most reputable cryptocurrencies easily tradable via Bitcoin Trading Software – donations or invest in cryptos. Usually, the risks associated with a charity making an investment in cryptocurrencies are much higher than the risks associated with accepting donations in the form of cryptocurrencies. Charities should understand that crypto investments possess high risks, and it is not suitable for them to take high risks.

Charities, along with their responsible people, are advised to watch out before accepting crypto donations and investing in cryptocurrencies, and they should make sure that whatever decision they are making is best suited for them. Charities must understand the risks and benefits associated with crypto assets or cryptocurrencies.

Charities and Cryptocurrencies

There are countries in which cryptocurrencies, virtual currencies, and their exchanges are legal. Currently, there are only a small number of charities that accept donations in the form of cryptocurrencies, and their sole purpose is to maximize their donor audience. But the ongoing digital change all over the world can mean that more and more people are showing their interest in these (crypto) assets, and that is why more charities have begun to explore cryptocurrencies.

The responsible people of charities should make sure that there exist feasible and legit processes for the management of charity funds. They also need to make sure that they understand the working of cryptocurrencies and what are the possible benefits and associated risks in this process along with the implication of taxes. It would be an appropriate option for charities to get financial advice from experts regarding investments.

The Usage Of Cryptocurrencies By Charities

At this time, there are a few charities that are utilizing cryptocurrencies, and their usage is also limited. For instance, they are using cryptos for specific purposes only, such as transferring funds to other countries where there are no proper banking regulations. Many charities are accepting crypto donations. Charities should convert these donations into real assets or traditional currencies ASAP. There are very few charity organizations that are indulged in the crypto business, such as holding and investing cryptocurrencies.

Accepting Cryptocurrencies as Donations

The majority of charitable organizations that accept cryptocurrency donations are the ones who do so to reach more and more donors all across the globe, which they cannot approach by utilizing more fundraising schemes. One important thing in this regard is that there are tax authorities that do not consider cryptocurrencies as assets or income and that is why they appear in the balance sheet of charity. But the establishment of a crypto donation system can be sought for time, and it requires charities to gain the right skills. These skills involve:

The knowledge about how crypto trading works.

• Decision on the type of crypto asset accepted by the charity and a donation platform for this purpose
• The ability to handle crypto wallets and generate receipts of tax for the donors

If charities do not possess these skills, they need to outsource to:

• An intermediary who will be responsible for accepting donations in the form of crypto assets, converting them into cash, managing tax receipts, and paying cash to the charity
• Other companies that will be running marketing campaigns for the charity to attract donors who are willing to make crypto donations
• A crypto exchange that will promptly transform donations into cash, and the charity itself will be dealing with donors, administrative work, and tax matters
• A crypto wallet to receive, transfer, and store crypto donations

Conclusion

When charities decide to sink their feet in the sea of cryptocurrencies, the development of a comprehensive plan and its implementation is mandatory. It includes designing policies to ensure the safety and security of the whole process and the processes to make sure how charities would handle these crypto donations and how they would deal with the associated risks.

The post How Can Charities Use Cryptocurrency? first appeared on BioEnergy Consult.

In China, users will implement a new type of money called the digital yuan in 2020. It aims to encourage contactless banking and lessen the nation’s dependency on the US currency. Technical analysis is one of the analytical methods that Auto-trading platform employ to help them make trading choices.

Concerns have been raised concerning the effects of the digital yuan, however. Some analysts are concerned that it may give the Chinese authorities excessive influence over the business and that users might use it for fraud or espionage.

What Characteristics Characterize the Digital Yuan?

Regarding China’s new digital yuan, there are still a lot of unsolved concerns at the moment.

The electronic yuan is intended to be a universal currency first. It will thus be utilized for international transactions, making it more straightforward for Chinese businesses to do business abroad.

Second, the Chinese government will support the digital yuan. It will thus be more trustworthy and stable than that other commodities.

And last, users will intimately integrate the social media networks in China with the digital yuan. It follows that Chinese residents will find it simpler to utilize and keep their digital yuan.

What Possibilities Are There for Using a Digital Monetary system?

Digital money may provide greater security against fraud and theft and facilitate quicker payments and convenience. We are more vulnerable to cyber assaults as the world becomes more computerized, and digital yuan is built to employ cutting-edge encryption to shield users from such dangers. Furthermore, the digital yuan will be connected with China’s current blockchain-based infrastructure, facilitating swift and safe commercial transactions using the currency.

In times of crisis, the digital yuan contributes to more excellent economic stability. The People’s Bank of China, which runs the system, has greater control over how money is moved about the economy since it is a central bank, guaranteeing that users can preserve liquidity even in the face of macroeconomic shocks. Since there is no need to convert foreign currencies or pay costs associated with international cross-border transactions, this could provide a chance for Chinese citizens abroad to send money home promptly and at a lesser price.

What Kinds of Risks Could a Digital Currency Involve?

Users must take the possible hazards linked to a monetary system into consideration. The likelihood that users may utilize digital currency for illegal purposes is one of the main worries. Since it may be more challenging to track than a traditional bank account and can sometimes be untraceable, digital money has been compared to cash. It may result in illegal acts, including funding terrorism and money laundering.

Digital money may make it more difficult for those who need access to conventional systems or accounts to participate in the financial system, which is another possible concern.

Last but not least, the widespread acceptance and usage of digital money may raise the danger of cybercrime. The possibility of hackers or other bad actors stealing people’s money rises when more digital assets are in circulation. It might result in significant losses for consumers that are virtually impossible to recover from since Ethereum – based currencies are more difficult to track than conventional ones.

What Impact Will the Launch of the Digital Yuan Have on the World’s Economies?

China’s adoption of the digital yuan will significantly impact world economies. First, given its broad usage, it would enable China to access and influence the economy of other nations more readily. Second, it may significantly increase competition for currencies like the US dollar, Euro, and Japanese yen since consumers may choose digital yuan payments for convenience over more convenient payment options. The digital yuan might also serve as a means of exchange between states and a platform for international commerce, allowing some regimes like Iran or North Korea to evade international sanctions.

According to general advances in financial technology, countries that had previously lagged in electronic payments will be urged to establish their solutions if they want to stay within the race toward digital money solutions. As they will be under more pressure from corporate organizations with more sophisticated financial technology, central banks may be encouraged to investigate new methods of governing their economies by implementing the digital yuan. It is yet unclear what impact these advances will have on world economies, but it is evident that this technique has significant ramifications for all parties concerned.

Conclusion

We examined the effects of China’s adoption of the Electronic Yuan in this article. The new bitcoin exchange will significantly influence the Chinese and world economies. Even while it’s too soon to predict with certainty what those effects will be, it is evident that the Electronic Yuan is a significant breakthrough that will undoubtedly alter how we operate.

The post Understanding the Digital Yuan: Its Operation and Consequences first appeared on BioEnergy Consult.

1. The Credit Crisis of 1772

By the mid-1760s, the British Empire had amassed a huge fortune through its colonial possessions and trade. All this contributed to the rapid development of the country, pushing banks to more active lending.

Banking partners Neil, James, Fordyce & Down lost £300,000 on shares of the East India Company. On June 8, 1772, Fordyce fled to France, trying to hide from paying debts.

News of Fordyce’s escape quickly spread throughout England, causing panic among depositors, and the crisis quickly spread to other parts of Europe. Historians say the economic fallout from this crisis sparked the Boston Tea Party protest in 1773 and launched the American Revolution.

2. The Great Depression

The stock market crash in the USA in 1929 provoked one of the main financial and economic catastrophes of the twentieth century. The depression continued for nearly 10 years and resulted in massive losses of income, record unemployment, and a drop in manufacturing, especially in industrialized countries. In the United States, the unemployment rate reached nearly 24.9% at the peak of the depression in 1933.

Experts name overproduction and the lack of proper oversight of the actively developing exchange market among the reasons for the economic decline, since the purchasing power of the population did not match the number of goods on the market and there were too many fictitious companies and financial fraud present.

3. The Great Recession of 2007-2009

The largest financial crisis since the Great Depression was caused by the mortgage crisis in the United States and a sharp increase in the number of non-payments on mortgage loans with a high level of risk. It damaged the economies of countries around the world, led to the collapse of one of the leading investment banks, Lehman Brothers, and threatened many major financial institutions and businesses.

Even though the Great Recession officially ended in 2009, ordinary people have faced negative consequences for many years due to the slow recovery of the labor market and falling property prices. As a result, the crisis has left millions of people unemployed and caused billions of dollars in damage. Kailash Concepts, a quantamental investment research firm, mentioned in one of their articles how to invest during a recession. You might want to check it out. Who knows, there might be another recession that is going to happen.

How to Be Prepared for Major Financial Crises?

Generally speaking, even the richest person is not prepared for a sudden fall of the economy. Of course, having substantial savings does help yet doesn’t guarantee complete financial safety. The latest example is the COVID-19 outbreak that caused a lot of individuals and businesses to lose their main sources of income. If you have found yourself in a difficult financial situation, keep in mind that you can always turn to Payday Depot for prompt loans.

The post The Three Biggest Financial Crises first appeared on BioEnergy Consult.

If you want to know what they are, you should keep reading – we have prepared this article especially for you. Here, you will learn to buy reclaimed items, donate stuff you don’t use, re-face items instead of replacing them, insulate, use low or no VOC paints, and some more. Read on and make sure that you can make informed decisions when opting for eco-friendly home remodeling.

1. Buy Reclaimed Materials

This is probably the easiest thing you can do to help the environment while doing eco friendly home improvement. Reclaiming is the process of recycling materials that people would usually throw away. You might be surprised to learn that quite a large percentage of the things we discard can actually be recycled.

Reclaimed materials include products that have been used before, like bricks, wood, clay, concrete, stone, glass, etc. These items are usually in good condition, so you won’t need to spend a lot of time and money on restoring them. Moreover, buying reclaimed stuff is an investment in the future because you are contributing to saving the environment.

On the other hand, you can also reclaim and salvage some materials yourself. For example, if you are looking for a garage door repair in Tulsa or consider replacing it completely, do not rush to throw your old garage door away. Instead, you can think about repurposing it to use it for longer – like creating a DIY bench for your patio. Or, you can look for local charities nearby and donate the materials to them.

Many other items can also be reclaimed. Don’t forget about your cabinets, countertops, and flooring. These things can be donated to local charities as well or used in other homes where they are needed. It is also good to know that salvaging and reclaiming do not just benefit the environment but also save money for homeowners.

2. Donate Stuff You Don’t Need

Another thing that you can do for the environment when remodeling is donating things that you don’t use anymore. This is an excellent way to put them into good use while making a difference at the same time. Donating items means that they will not end up in a landfill, meaning less pollution and reduced landfill bills for taxpayers.

If you donate something, you should make sure that it is in good condition so that someone else can actually use it. That is why many people tend to re-gift items instead of donating them. If you’re uncertain whether an item is good enough to be donated, think about how many times you have used it in the past few months and whether it still has a few more years left in it. If not, ask yourself whether someone else might be able to use it.

3. Re-Face Old Furniture

Do you want to replace your old furniture items, but you don’t have the budget for that? Consider re-facing them instead of replacing them. You will need to sand off the finish and then apply several layers of paint. Make sure that you use paint with low VOCs. It is essential to protect indoor air quality, so it is crucial to choose paints that do not emit toxic substances.

Re-facing furniture is a great way to save money and help the environment at the same time. It is incredibly easy and inexpensive, and the results can be amazing. Re-facing is often much cheaper than replacement because you don’t have to buy all the materials and hire a professional worker for installation – you just get some paint or other material and do it yourself! If you want your home to look great without breaking the bank, this is something you should consider.

4. Insulate Your Home Wall

Do you want to save energy? You can do it by insulating your home wall. In fact, insulation is one of the most effective ways to cut down your heating and cooling bills throughout the year and reduce energy use in general. Proper insulation will also help prevent condensation and mold, so it is definitely worth investing in this process.

If you want to get a proper insulation job done, you should hire a professional team of contractors that will install insulation in your attic as well as in your walls. This is a large job that requires pro attention, so make sure that you find a great team of specialists who will ensure quality work that will result in lower heating bills and lower energy consumption in general.

Before hiring insulation contractors, make sure that they use high-quality construction materials and are familiar with local building codes (if applicable). If you are not sure whether you need insulation or how much of it you should have, contact an experienced contractor who will inspect your house to determine what kind of insulation suits it best and whether insulating will be worth it in the long run.

5. Use Low or No VOC Paints

VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. They are found in paints, and most of them are toxic to people and animals. That is why it is crucial to check paints before using them – imagine how many toxins people inhale when painting their home walls.

Luckily, there are paints with low or no VOCs, so you should go for them. These products do not harm the environment, and you can be safe using them during your next home remodel. If you want to know whether a particular paint has low or high VOCs, ask for a VOC emission rate from the seller. Many stores are obliged to tell you how many VOCs you will inhale during the painting process.

6. Don’t Use Conventional Paints

Conventional paints are loaded with solvents that can irritate your skin and eyes. They can also cause respiratory problems, so you shouldn’t use them when painting your home walls or furniture pieces. The good news is that there are many eco-friendly paints out there that are non-toxic and environmentally friendly. These paints will not pose any danger to your health or the health of your family members – they are safe to use anywhere in your home.

7. Use Green Power

If you are going to use electricity, it is important to use green power – renewable energy. That means that you should consider investing in solar energy panels or wind turbines. It might be a bit pricey to buy these items, but it is definitely worth it. By using green power, you contribute to a greener future – which is our only hope if we want to have a planet to live on.

8. Use Low-Maintenance Materials

You can save money and protect the environment at the same time by choosing low-maintenance materials for your green home renovation. For instance, you can choose stone or brick as exterior surfaces – these materials are durable and will not have to be repainted or stained more often than once every 5-10 years. And because they don’t need much maintenance, they won’t emit VOCs into the air.

The key to environmentally friendly home remodeling is to stay away from toxic paints, materials, and products. By using low or no VOC paints, reclaimed wood, and other recycled items, you will not only save money, but you will also contribute to a better planet for your children and grandchildren.

Conclusion

When renovating your home, you can do it in an eco-friendly way. In fact, you will be doing something good for the environment when buying reclaimed materials, using low VOC paints, insulating your home well, and many other things.

You should definitely think about these eco-friendly home features the next time you are planning a new home improvement project. You will be able to save money and help the planet – which is a great thing!

The post 8 Eco-Friendly Solutions For Your Home Remodeling first appeared on BioEnergy Consult.

With that in mind, here are some pieces of advice to follow that will avoid budget overruns in your own projects going forward.

Use ERP Software to Keep Everything Under Control

First and foremost, it’s worth pointing out that using an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software package is the best way to ensure that everything runs smoothly and stays under control.

This type of system allows companies to organize all their data in one place, including financials, inventory management, human resources information, and more.

It also helps them track project costs by providing real-time visibility into labor hours and materials used. With this tool at hand, it’s easier than ever before for businesses to make informed decisions about how much money they should allocate towards each job—and stay within their allotted budget.

It’s worth exploring ERP solutions for your organizations like opusflow.io, as this is a growing market with plenty of competing platforms to consider.

Identify the Necessary Steps and Create a Plan of Action

You need to know what steps are involved in each project, and plan how you’ll tackle them, before you can get a precise idea of costs, and make realistic estimates for your budget.

Starting off with an accurate assessment of project scope, timeline and cost estimates can help ensure that each step is properly planned out ahead of time.

Additionally, it’s important to have regular updates throughout the process so that nothing falls through the cracks or gets missed along the way.

Also, having specific milestones in place gives companies something tangible they can track their progress against—helping them stay within their allotted budget at all times, and identifying issues ASAP so that evasive measures can be implemented.

Monitor Your Spending Regularly

Speaking of pinpointing problems so that they can be minimized immediately rather than left unaddressed, frequent monitoring of project spending is a must in this context.

Make sure that all expenses are tracked accurately and in real-time, and don’t delay in acting when inconsistencies or imperfections become apparent. The sooner you swoop in to fix things, the less chance there is of spending running out of control.

As part of this, it’s important to have access to detailed financial reports on demand which give an overview of the project budget. The aforementioned software solutions should serve you well in this regard.

Take Advantage of Cost Saving Opportunities Whenever Possible

Part of the role of sustainable installation projects is to be eco-friendly and efficient in their own right. This means making sure to avoid any kind of waste when budgeting, which is only achievable if you are looking for places where savings are available.

For instance, companies can take advantage of bulk discounts when ordering materials, or negotiate better payment terms with their suppliers.

Then there’s the opportunity to harness energy efficient solutions and renewable sources to power the moving parts of a project. If you can set up solar panels on-site, your energy costs can be driven down, for example.

The Bottom Line

Keeping sustainable installation projects from running over budget isn’t just about dealing with one issue, but several.

You have to be realistic about what your spend might be, plan out how you’ll stick within the allotted budget, and watch every penny as progress is made. This is the best way to avert disaster and keep clients happy.

The post How to Keep Sustainable Installation Projects From Running Over Budget first appeared on BioEnergy Consult.

Installed correctly, solar panels can be aesthetically pleasing. Their presence is also one of the first things people will notice about a property. So, when you get to the stage of when you’re ready to start the financing process of investing in a particular vacation rental property with solar panels, here are a couple of things you’ll need to consider as a part of your vetting process.

How Were They Financed?

Your first consideration will be how the panels were financed. The easiest scenario is when the owner of the property financed the panels themselves. Solar panels can add a lot of value to the property. Although the value of the panels decreases with the age of the installation, newly installed panels can add up to nearly $30,000 of value to a home.

If possible, see if you can get an idea of what the previous owner’s utilities ran prior to installation of the panels, and after. This will give you concrete information about how much the panels are saving on the electric bills.

What is the Size of the System?

You’ll also want to have an inspector give you an idea of the size of the solar system. If the previous tenants worked from home and had several family members, the installation is probably more than adequate for a vacation rental property. A smaller system for one or two people might need enhancements. Lower utility bills will allow you to charge less for your property.

What if the Panels were Leased?

Sometimes the property owner doesn’t have the money upfront to pay for the panels, so they finance them by leasing. This situation is not necessarily something that should cause you to automatically pass on the property. It’s important to find out the age of the lease. It’s possible the finance period is almost over. In this case, the cost of taking over the lease will be minimal.

There are a couple of points open for negotiation here. You can work with the finance company to see if you can reduce the amount remaining on the lease. Or you could have the remaining amount on the lease included in the selling price. The cost of solar panels is expected to go down by as much as a third by 2024, so the amounts under consideration can be expected to be less as time goes on.

Have the Panels Inspected

As in any potential property purchase, having the panels inspected prior to signing on the dotted line is mandatory. You’ll want to get an overhead inspection of the panels, which can be done by drone. Make sure the drone has a thermal camera to check for an initial check for defects.

You’ll want to perform the solar panel inspection on a sunny day. This way any defects, such as hot spots, will be more easily detected. The optimum time for such inspections is in the morning or late afternoon, to reduce glare off of the panels. If the sun is directly overhead, you may get too much glare off them and the inspection won’t be able to show you anything.

If possible, do a second drone inspection with an RGB (visible light)  camera. This inspection will turn up the presence of debris on the panels. This is not necessarily a bad thing. It can simply mean that the panels are due for a cleaning, something that hopefully has been a part of the regular maintenance of the panels.

Is There Enough Sunlight?

Another aspect of existing solar panels to consider is whether there is adequate sunlight to support them. If the panels were installed in an area shaded by trees, you not only may not be getting the full benefits of them but may have more cleaning costs associated with them.

If they are shaded because of geographical features on the property, you also may not get the full benefit of the panels.

Previously installed solar panels are not necessarily a negative when considering investing in that property as a vacation rental. They can be a great marketing point for your property as well as aesthetically pleasing. Just be sure to look into how they were financed, and get them inspected for general condition. This will ensure the panels are in good working order prior to you taking over the property.

The post Considerations When Buying a Vacation Rental with Solar Panels first appeared on BioEnergy Consult.

Is Bitcoin Bad for the Environment?

Many believe that cryptocurrency is the currency of the future, but is it bad for the environment? Will Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies undo the hard work that has been put in around the world so far to improve the condition and health of the planet? According to some critics, Tesla’s decision to make heavy investments in Bitcoin undermines the environmental image displayed by the electric car company.

The rising price of Bitcoin offers even more incentive to miners to run even more machines and consume more power. As the value of Bitcoin increases, so does the energy consumption that is used to mine it, according to researchers at the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance.

Exactly How Much Energy Does Bitcoin Consume?

How much energy is consumed due to the increasing popularity of cryptocurrency trading? According to the online tool developed by the Cambridge researchers, Bitcoin’s electricity consumption is currently ranked above several countries including Argentina, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates. It’s using a very similar amount of energy to the amount that Norway uses on a yearly basis.

In the UK, the energy that Bitcoin uses could be used to power all the electric kettles in the country for almost three decades. However, in comparison, the amount of electricity that is consumed on a yearly basis by devices that are left switched on but inactive in homes around the US could power the entire Bitcoin network for a full year.

How is Bitcoin Mined?

Mining Bitcoin requires often specialized computers which are connected to the cryptocurrency network. They are used to verify transactions by people who sell or purchase Bitcoin. As part of the process, Bitcoin miners are required to solve puzzles that are not integral to providing verification, but ensure that there is a hurdle to cross to ensure that the global record of all Bitcoin transactions is not edited fraudulently. As a reward for completing these, Bitcoin miners will occasionally receive small amounts of Bitcoin.

Higher prices have increased the value of these rewards, and fueled wider interest in buying and selling crypto via increasingly diverse methods beyond using exchanges. At the same time, some miners have expanded their networks to consist of multiple computers. Some will even set up entire warehouses of computers that are there for mining Bitcoin alone. Since the computers are working to solve the puzzles on a constant basis, this uses a huge amount of electricity.

While Bitcoin is becoming more and more popular as an alternative currency and investment option around the world, how efficient is it really?

The post How Much Energy Do Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies Consume? first appeared on BioEnergy Consult.