SBDCNet Research

Industry reports by SBDCNet

• Solar Panels - SBDCNet Industry Overview & outlook Solar Panels from March 2009
• Green Construction - SBDCNet Industry Overview & outlook for Green Construction from September 2008
• Biodiesel - SBDCNet Industry Overview & outlook for Biodiesel From January 2008

Information found about Industry Trends

• Environmental Consulting
• Green Remodeling
• Plastics recycling

Associations

Solar Energy Industry Association - http://www.seia.org/

Solar Electric Power Association - http://www.solarelectricpower.org/

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) - http://www.usgbc.org/

Energy & Environmental Building Association (EEBA) - http://www.eeba.org/

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) - http://www.nahb.org/

National Biodiesel Board - http://www.biodiesel.org/

Sample Business Plans

• Greenhouse Floriculture Business Plan(Canadian)
• Greenhouse Vegetables Business Plan(Canadian)
• Nonprofit Food Bank Business Plan
• Organic Restaurant Business Plan
• Recycling Enterprises: Plastics, Glass, or Rubber Business Plan
• Wholesale Nursery (Canadian) Business Plan

Industry Overviews

Solar Panels

By Jason Kumar

Solar energy is rapidly increasing in popularity. Businesses in industries from homes to vehicles – even purses – are looking to harness the power of the sun to decrease dependency on fossil fuels and decrease pollution. With climate change and pollution becoming a greater concern and oil prices becoming increasingly volatile, solar energy acts as a promising alternative that is both clean and renewable.

Although the use of solar energy, or photovolataics, is not as widespread in the U.S. as it is in Europe, the industry is undoubtedly growing.1 The U.S. has currently moved up the ranks to the third biggest market for solar panels in the world trailing behind only Japan and Germany.2 In 2007 alone, photovoltaic equipment installations grew by 48%.

Solar energy is not a remedy for all our energy woes. The main drawback is cost. Solar energy costs anywhere from two to five times more than the typical electricity price.3 A photovoltaic system for a home can cost between $20,000 to $35,000.4 But advances in technology can make photovoltaic equipment and solar energy more affordable – even cheaper than electricity produced from coal.5 Furthermore, federal and state governments provide numerous incentives for home and business owners who choose to install renewable energy equipment.6

1 “Europe’s Way of Encouraging Solar Power Arrives in the U.S.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/13/business/energy-environment/13solar.html?_r=1

2 “Country Comparisons”
http://www.solarbuzz.com/StatsCountries.htm

3 “Solar Energy Costs/Prices”
http://www.solarbuzz.com/statsCosts.htm

4 “Making Solar Cheaper Than Coal”
http://news.cnet.com/Making-solar-cheaper-than-coal/2009-13836_3-6249110.html?tag=mncol

5 “Nanosolar Powersheet: the New Dawn of Solar”
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/flat/bown/2007/green/item_59.html

6 “Congress Passes the Most Powerful Solar Legislation in History”
http://www.ases.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=286&Itemid=58

Read the full report here

Green Construction

By Monique De Vries

There is a growing interest in going green or buying products and construction that are environmentally friendly -- meaning natural, sustainable, recyclable and more energy and water efficient. ¹ One reason for the increase in green construction is rating systems that give builders clear-cut methods to obtain certification through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Energy Star and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.² Another reasaon is the growing concern about climate change as well as an interest in lowering monthly bills due to increased energy costs.³

In short, everyone is going green because green is good; Good for the pocket book, good for the environment, good for health and good for business.

What does “green” mean? Green construction means that a building uses less energy, conserves renewable resources and contains fewer toxic materials. What this means for construction cost is a higher initial cost with long term energy savings over the life of the building. This is one of the reasons many are turning to green construction. Energy savings, the environment and health are ranking higher in priority with home builders than the initial expense. Because green is now “in,” green homes now have a built-in selling point and much higher resale values are just another reason to 'go green'.⁴

Consumers can find fixtures that conserve water, energy-efficient appliances and construction design to save energy and reduce waste. But can going green include flooring? Linoleum, if made of natural material, can be used as green flooring along with renewable and recycled resources such as bamboo, rubber and recycled fiber carpets. Going green doesn’t end there. It can even include the paint on the walls -- not necessarily the color, but the type of paint. Paint, stains and glues once dry, continue to release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for years. To prevent headaches and nausea, heightened asthma and allergies, “low VOC” paint, natural stains and formaldehyde-free glue are used and help make a house green.

Sources

1 - Eve Mitchell. “Home building show puts focus on green; Green home show a big draw.” Oakland Tribune. San Francisco. September 29, 2006 Friday.

2 - Tomasulo, Katy. Picking Up Speed; Green goes mainstream at the 2006 Green Building Conference. ProSales. May 1, 2006.

3 - Holowka, Taryn. “USGBC Announces Green Homes Commitment for Clinton Global Initiative.” USGBC News. New York, NY. September 22, 2006

4 - Max, Sarah. “It's Easy Being Green.” Money. New York: Time inc. Jan 2007. Vol. 36, Iss. 1; pg. 5  

Click here to read full report

Biodiesel

By Perry Byers

While the term biodiesel is a name for an alternative clean fuel, it is also used as a term for a blend of petroleum diesel and the alternative clean fuel.¹ Biodiesel blends are denoted as, "BXX", for example B20 is 20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel.¹ Many people think of biodiesel as using French fry oil but fuel-grade biodiesel has an industry standard, ASTM D6751 to insure proper performance.

Biodiesel production continues to grow with volumes of 25 million gallons in 2004 to 75 million in 2005.² A study completed in September of 2006 by John M. Urbanchuk of LECG states: “that America’s biodiesel industry will add $24 billion to the U.S. economy between 2005 and 2015, assuming biodiesel growth reaches 650 million gallons of annual production by 2015.”³

Total annual production capacity, including the plants that chose not to list their production capacity is 864.4 million gallons. It is important to note that production capacity differs from the actual number of gallons sold. In January 2007 there were 105 producing plants across the United States.⁴

Sources

1. http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/biodiesel_basics/default.shtm
2. http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/fuelfactsheets/default.shtm
3. http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/backgrounder.PDF
4. http://www.nbb.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/Production_Graph_Slide.pdf

Click here to read the full report

Publications, Articles, Periodicals and Links of interest

Biodiesel

http://www.biodiesel.org/

http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/

Plastics Recycling

http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/rmd/docs/mffbog.pdf

http://www.biomassmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=2556

http://www.foodandbeveragepackaging.com/FDP/Home/Files/PDF/PlasticRecyclingTrends.pdf

http://www.prw.com/subscriber/newscat2.html?cat=1&channel=320&id=1227001849

Green Construction & Remodeling

http://www.usgbc.org/- Green Building Council

http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/news/homeowners-want-energy-efficient-eco-friendly-home-improvement-products.aspx

http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_trends/article/0,2624,HPRO_26519_5939096,00.html - Homeowners wants/needs for remodeling

http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2009/04/20/smallb1.html?b=1240200000%5E1813470 - Become Greener to Weather Recession

http://seattle.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2009/03/16/focus2.html?q=energy%20efficient%20home%20remodeling - Green Homes here to Stay

http://www.greenbuildermag.com/News/1108GB_Survey.pdf

http://www.remodelormove.com/content/article/article.cfm/remodel/energy_efficient_roof_and_help_from_the_recovery_act_of_2009

http://www.remodeling.hw.net/remodeling/reader-panel-its-not-easy.aspx - Buyers/Remodelors may not been sold on Green ideas 

Solar Panels

Interstate Renewable Energy Council - http://irecusa.org/

National Renewable Energy Laboratory - http://www.nrel.gov/

Federal Incentives Summary - http://www.ases.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=286&Itemid=58

Incentives by State - http://www.dsireusa.org/

Installed Costs of Photovoltaics - http://eetd.lbl.gov/ea/emp/reports/lbnl-1516e.pdf

New York Times Solar Energy Webpage - http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/energy-environment/solar-energy/index.html

USDOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program - http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/index.html

Solar Photovoltaic Cell/Module Manufacturing Activities - http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page/solarphotv/solarpv.html

Other SBA Resources for Green Industries

Business.gov's Green Business Guide

As consumers become more environmentally conscious and energy costs continue to rise, businesses are rapidly adopting environmentally friendly business practices.

Many business owners fear it's too costly to adopt eco-friendly practices, however, small investments can reap large gains. Green practices can save money while creating happier customers and a healthier planet.

These resources help small businesses expand their businesses while saving energy costs.

For New Businesses

• Get help Starting a Green Business by offering eco-friendly products and services.
• Follow these Ten Steps to adopt environmentally-friendly business practices.
• Read about the most Successful Green Businesses for real accounts of green business in practice.

Green Business Practices

Becoming a green business means making changes across your organization, from the way you manage your day-to-day operations to the products you offer to your customers.

• Energy Efficiency Guide
  Save energy costs, find energy saving tips, and get  information on grants, loans and incentives for making energy efficient upgrades .
• Environmental Management
  Manage environmental issues to avoid liability, reduce costs and get recognized as a green business.
• Grants, Loans and Incentives
  Get info on energy efficient upgrades and tax credits to green technology development.
• Government Contracting
  Learn about opportunities to sell green products and services to the government.
• Green Commuting Options
  Cut down on your energy costs, protect the environment and increase employee productivity by adopting telecommuting policies and other green commuting options.
• Green Marketing
  Learn about ecolabeling and how to legally make environmental claims on your products.
• Green Product Development
  Learn how green technology businesses develop innovative new products and services.
• Pollution Prevention and Recycling
  Save money by reducing wastes while improving energy efficiency, productivity and public image.
• Case Studies and Examples
  Learn about successful companies that have proactive environmental policies.

Earth Day

• Earth Day
  Learn about the success of Earth Day 2008 and practices to adopt in preparation for Earth Day 2009, April 22nd!
• America's Green Cities
  Local programs that help small businesses adopt green business practices
• Greentips Podcasts
  Tips and advice on energy efficiency and environmental issues