Tag Archives: CleanChoice

Partnership Allows Marylanders To Marry Clean Energy And Batteries

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent

Maryland residents will soon have the opportunity to marry clean energy and battery storage, thanks to a partnership between CleanChoice Energy and Swell Energy.

As power outages become more prevalent as violent, climate-change induced storms rock the U.S. mainland, home battery storage is increasingly becoming a necessity, not a luxury. Thanks to CleanChoice and Swell, Marylanders can install home energy backup and perhaps qualify a state tax credit of up to $5,000.*

Last year, more than 36.7 million people – including 88,000 Marylanders – were affected by 3,526 reported power outages across the country.

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“People need reliable backup power now more than ever. Climate change is fueling extreme weather that makes the grid more vulnerable to power outages at the exact time that we all depend on electricity for nearly everything. Marylanders can now have peace of mind knowing their lights will stay on when the power goes out,” said Tom Matzzie, CEO of CleanChoice Energy. “Home battery backup makes our homes more resilient, helps move us closer to 100% clean energy, and can make dirty generators obsolete.”

“This program enables us to offer Maryland CleanChoice Energy consumers a radically simple, cost-effective clean energy and smart home solution,” said Matthew Rising, CRO of Swell Energy.

Home batteries store energy from the electric grid and provide seamless backup power to run essential items during power outages of up to 12 hours**—long enough to get through nine out of 10 utility company power outages.

Home energy batteries are a clean alternative to dirty generators that run on polluting fuels including gasoline, propane, natural gas, and diesel fuel. Burning fossil fuels contributes to climate change and unhealthy air pollution; for example, diesel exhaust has been classified a potential human carcinogen.

Swell offers batteries to homeowners as-a-service, and virtually combines the storage capacity across these batteries to provide energy and grid services to its utility and retail electricity partners.

*Tax credit information based on Maryland Energy Administration Energy Storage Tax Credit Program and should not be construed as legal or tax advice nor does it guarantee availability, qualification, or amounts of incentives or credits.

**A standard home will use 1-2 kW/hour. The total time that a battery can power your home during an outage depends on your individual usage.

CleanChoice Wants To Accelerate Trend Of Businesses Seeking 100% Clean Energy

By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent

As more businesses decide to pursue 100% clean energy goals, they often need people to help them get there. CleanChoice Energy has launched a new service in several states designed to do just that.

The announcement comes on the heels of solar’s own national association, the Solar Energy Industries Association, signing an agreement with WGL Energy Services to offset its employees’ travel with 373 solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) from two solar projects in Virginia and Maryland, respectively. The move is an effort for the association to practice what it preaches to become carbon neutral.

It didn’t get the positive press it deserved for its decision, and it deserved it. SEIA’s move showed that businesses of all sizes and types can move to 100% clean energy given the proper driving spirit – and it shows the way for other associations in the space to do the same. Leadership like this is what will accelerate business decisions to go solar.

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The CleanChoice Energy program is designed to accelerate the clear trend the solar industry is seeing as businesses transition from a fossil-fuel to a clean-energy future. Each year, big corporations like Wal-Mart, Target and others vie for the honor of being the company to have the largest installed solar capacity in the country as highlighted in SEIA’s Solar Means Business Report.

While those large companies have their own teams dedicated to making the transition, smaller companies need guidance, which is the niche CleanChoice Energy is trying to fill.

The new CleanChoice program will initially be available to partners serving Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C., who want to bring their businesses and nonprofits into the 100% clean energy revolution.

“Commercial businesses and large nonprofits are eager to choose 100% renewable energy, and we’re excited to be able to work with brokers to help them make the switch,” said Tom Matzzie, Founder and CEO of CleanChoice Energy. “With CleanChoice Energy’s 100% renewable energy products, businesses and large nonprofits can purchase 100% solar and wind from the region in which they operate.”

According to their release, CleanChoice Energy’s Broker Program offers a dedicated team to provide personalized service to our partners which includes both custom and matrix pricing options, as well as exceptional account management services. The company maintains a Net Promoter Score that far exceeds industry standards. The new program will also provide brokers and consultants access to innovative energy products such as CleanChoice Energy Community Solar.

Additional CleanChoice Energy Broker Program benefits include:
● Quarterly review of account portfolios;
● Post service account management including environmental impact statements;
● Customer promotional materials to share their renewable power purchase;
● Flexible commission plans with timely and accurate reporting.