If you are looking for the path to a more sustainable future, you have found the trailhead. In our 26 years of publishing we have rarely seen a topic with more momentum — from the articles in this issue to the increasing amount of news covering renewable energy. A strong business and environmental case for sustainability has emerged, as more cities, states and companies are making commitments to renewable energy, stretching over the next 25 years as capacity increases.

Globally, CERES reports that over $330 billion in clean energy investments were made in 2017. There are increasing investment opportunities at every level, — from retail mutual funds to institutional money. According to ACORE's recent survey of leading financial institutions, investor confidence in the U.S. renewable sector is expected to remain high, with a market opportunity for $1 trillion in private sector investment for U.S. renewables and enabling grid technologies from now to 2030.

Bloomberg New Energy Finance reports that the world has reached the benchmark of 1,000GW of Wind and Solar energy generation. They estimate that the second terawatt of wind and solar will arrive by 2024 and cost 46 percent less than the first. The pace of innovation is accelerating in renewables, — from large solar and wind farms to small independent microgrids throughout the world. There are jobs in the clean energy industry because energy resiliency is vital to a stable future and a sustainable economy.

Recently, GreenMoney was honored to be named one of the Top 100 Corporate Social Responsibility Influence Leaders. (See the full list from Assent Compliance here.) We were selected because of our advocacy and commitment to educating individuals and corporations on how business can make a positive difference in the world.

Let me close with an interview I did recently on the Better Money Decisions Podcast with host Kate Stalter, CFP – Listen here.

- Cliff Feigenbaum, founder and publisher

The Future of “Clean” Energy

Murray Rosenblith

Manager, New Alternatives Fund

Bloomberg New Energy Finance predicts that two-thirds of the world’s power will be generated by renewable resources by 2050. This projection is based on the continuing growth of new renewable power generation projects, primarily wind and solar. Conditions have certainly changed since New Alternatives Fund entered the investment world in 1982. Our Fund’s approach has always been to consider the broad sector of energy and related environmental areas like clean water, clean air, and naturally grown and organic food. Energy is not just the production of electric power we also see conservation and efficiency playing major roles. Read More

Decarbonize, Decentralize and Democratize: Investing in a More Just Energy Future

Jess Brooks

Chief Development Officer, Sunwealth

At Sunwealth, we invest in a sustainable future by financing diverse renewable energy projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen local resilience and bring the benefits of renewable energy to under-served communities. Since 2014, we have financed over 70 solar installations on rooftops and in open spaces. We are poised to invest over $12 million in solar energy and storage projects in 2018, more than double our 2017 investment. We have a 2019 pipeline of over $40 million in new solar projects that will provide 20 megawatts of solar power across 50 communities.
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Clean Energy Investing: Changing Lives, Changing the World

Maxwell Roe

Business Development, Clean Power USA

Renewable Energy was the most-added source of new power generation in 2017. In an increasing number of regions, clean energy is the cheapest source of new electricity. Confidence in the clean energy sector can be seen in the large commitments made by major banking institutions. The public and our investors are grasping the reality of a renewable energy future. Rooftop solar panels are commonplace and are required on new homes in some cities in California. Solar photovoltaic installers and wind turbine service technicians have become the nation’s two fastest-growing occupations.
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Strengthening Clean Energy with a Diverse Workforce

Kristen Graf

Executive Director, WRISE

According to NREL, renewable electricity generation from technologies that are commercially available today, in combination with a more flexible grid, is adequate to supply 80 percent of total U.S. electricity generation in 2050. Now is the time to take a close look at the pipeline of potential clean energy workers ensuring that we are bringing the best minds and diverse perspectives to the table. Prioritizing diversity both in terms of race and gender are important components for building a successful company. Research from McKinsey makes it increasingly clear that companies with a diverse workforce perform better financially.
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The Future Is Decentralized

David Breecker

Founder and Managing Director, Microgrid Systems Laboratory

In every part of the world, from the industrialized to the emerging economies, energy systems are shifting from a highly centralized architecture (i.e., large generation plants, long transmission lines, and one-way flows of energy) to a decentralized, distributed network model. This model takes the form of microgrids (or “mini-grids” in Africa and Asia), small, integrated systems capable of autonomous operation; and as Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems and Virtual Power Plants, as ways of making the existing bulk power grid more flexible. Some compare this to the advent of “the internet of energy.”
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October 2018 Additional Articles

2018 VERGE Vanguard Awards: Leaders in the Clean Economy

From individuals to companies that demonstrate leadership in clean energy, sustainable transportation, and the circular economy Read More

First-Ever Clean Energy Credit Union Officially Launches

The new credit union focused exclusively on clean energy lending also begins taking deposits and making loans all online Read More

The Clean Trillion: A CERES Report on Clean Energy Investments

The "In Sight of the Clean Trillion" report gives an update on the ever-expanding landscape of investor opportunities Read More

2018 Money Manager Roadmap on SRI from the US SIF Foundation

A new comprehensive guide for money managers on incorporating sustainable, responsible and impact investing at their firms Read More

Impax Launches the Pax Global Opportunities Fund

The new fund invests in companies positioned to benefit from the transition to a more sustainable global economy Read More

Newday Investing Brings Impact Investing to the Mainstream

New app and platform enables consumers to invest in proprietary portfolios for social good with a low minimum Read More

GreenMoney Recommends

Attend the 29th annual SRI Conference

November 1-4, 2018, Broadmoor Hotel
Colorado Springs, CO

The SRI Conference is the premier annual gathering of sustainable, responsible and impact investment (SRI) professionals along with a wide range of stakeholders. This year’s keynote speakers include world-renowned investor Jeremy Grantham and Michelle Edkins, Managing Director at BlackRock. GreenMoney’s founder Cliff Feigenbaum attends every year and in 2017 was named a co-winner of ‘The SRI Service Award’ at the event.

Here’s more good news – a special offer of 20% off your conference registration fee.

Just enter the code GMJ when you register. Find out more

REBA-Powering the Corporate Movement Toward Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance (REBA) combines the demand of nearly 100 corporate buyers and the expertise of renewable energy providers and nonprofit groups including Business for Social Responsibility, Rocky Mountain Institute, World Resources Institute and World Wildlife Fund. REBA is designed to simplify renewable energy purchasing and to help large companies buy 60 gigawatts of additional renewable energy in the US by 2025.

October 2018