Aquion Energy
Aquion Energy is a market-leading manufacturer of solar power systems that convert solar energy into electricity to be distributed and used, directly or indirectly, by homes and businesses.
The company was founded in 2011 and is based in Denver, Colorado. They design and build high-capacity solar inverters, microgrids, and battery storage systems for use in off-grid and grid-connected applications.
Some of their most popular products include the SolarEdge system, which combines full-system battery backup with peak load-serving features; the Sunrun PVS, a highly automated power system that can be installed in a single day and offers ultra-fast installation; the Sunrun Delta, a compact and highly customizable system equipped with AI-based predictive analytics; and the SunRun Genie, the most energy-efficient solar inverter on the market. Aside from solar energy products, the company also builds automated meter-readers and associated software for use in home and business energy management. Finally, Aquion provides energy efficiency consulting and analysis to its customers.
Aquion has always been committed to sustainability, and they use only materials and components that are recyclable or compostable. The brand is invested in green technologies and practices, including energy-saving installations and smart appliances that reduce their impact on the environment. In 2019, they were recognized by the EPA as a leader in sustainable power manufacturing.
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), formerly known as the American Oil Company, is the second-largest processor and marketer of crops and products derived from crops in the world, supplying products to consumers in more than 100 countries. The company was founded in 1902 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
The business is currently operated by the privately held Sumitomo Group, which purchased it in 1985. Sumitomo has a long history of supporting philanthropic causes, donating money and products to support disaster relief efforts in Japan, Africa, and other regions around the world. As a result of these efforts, ADM was named one of the most socially responsible companies in the world by the Ethisphere Institute. Today, the company is known for its ethical policies, sustainable agriculture, and personalized customer service.
Archer Daniels Midland is most well known for its ethanol trading platform, Global Ethanol, which operates in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The platform connects ethanol producers and consumers, enabling them to find and commit to long-term contracts for purchase and sale of the product. These agreements are structured to accommodate fluctuations in the supply and demand of ethanol and facilitate the marketing and selling of the product. The company is a founder and member of the American Association of Petroleum Con-sumers (AAPC) and the Ethanol Fuel Association (eFA).
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are a subcategory of electric vehicles that use rechargeable batteries to provide power to the drivetrain. Some examples of these electric vehicles include the Tesla Model 3 and the Nissan Leaf. With prices decreasing and technology improving, more and more people are choosing to invest in a battery electric vehicle rather than a traditional internal-combustion-engine (ICE) vehicle. Manufacturers of these electric vehicles are striving to improve their products and offer consumers the best value and longest range possible.
Nissan Leaf is one of the best-selling electric vehicles of all time, with 74 million units sold globally. It won the Global Design Award at the 2020 Paris Auto Show and it continues to receive praise for its design and styling. The U.S. electric vehicle market grew by 41% in 2019, with the demand for electric cars increasing by 62% compared to the previous year. ICE vehicles fell by 42%.
Tesla Model 3 is the all-new entry into the market, offering consumers a more affordable option with a high level of functionality and performance. Since its launch last year, the Model 3 has achieved some impressive sales figures. In the U.S., for example, the electric vehicle market share rose by nearly 200,000 units in June 2020 and it is currently projected to increase by another 1.75 million units by the end of the year. In order to meet the escalating demand, Tesla has started producing more electric vehicles, with 5000 Model 3s per day being manufactured in the next few months.
While the above-mentioned vehicles offer consumers compelling reasons to invest in an electric or hybrid vehicle, there are several brands and models that you should consider avoiding. Some manufacturers cut corners and sacrifice quality in order to hit the sales target, leading to an increased risk of failure for the end user. Research in to the longest-lasting batteries and energy-efficiency improvements for BEVs can be found in the Journal of Power Sources.
Cannondale Industries
Cannondale Industries is a brand that you might not have heard of, but you have definitely seen their products. The company, which is based in Chicago, specializes in making mountain bike helmets. Since their inception, the brand has grown to include a wide range of cycling accessories, including mountain bike jackets, jerseys, and gloves. Their innovative designs and superior materials have made them a favorite among professional cyclists and enthusiasts around the world.
You might wonder how a brand that started with just mountain bike helmets could grow to become so popular in so many different cycling-related products. One of the reasons behind their success is that Cannondale designs products that are both functional and stylish. They strive to make a product that fits all types of cyclists – from road cyclists to mountain bikers – and encourages them to get out there and ride. Some of their products are iconic and have become classic in their field. The brand continues to grow, and in 2021, they are projected to have a revenue of $16.9 billion and an EBITDA of $7 million. With so much success, it is easy to see why Cannondale is one of the best-known and most-trusted names in the industry.
Dana Inc.
Dana Inc., based in Watertown, Massachusetts, designs and builds high-quality, high-performance boats and watercraft. The company began as a wooden boat builder in the 19th century and transitioned to fiberglass boats following World War II. Dana Inc. is still a family-owned business and the founder, John Dana, is now in his fourth generation of leadership. The company’s headquarters are now in an 88,000-sq.-ft. facility and the brand has also expanded into the aviation and defense industries. The company is still very involved in the boating community, having donated over 300,000 man-hours to support marine conservation efforts around the world.
Dana Inc. is most well known for its surfboats, but it also builds custom fishing boats, yacht captains’ chairs, and a variety of oceangoing vessels. The fishing charter market grew by 6% in 2019, and in the coming years, as fish stocks decline, it is predicted that charter boat vessels will become even more popular. Some of the more luxurious boats that Dana Inc. builds are featured in the movie Blood Dolphin – an eco-thriller set in the Arctic Circle – and they continue to be a favorite of Hollywood A-list celebrities.
Fisker Inc.
Fisker Inc., headquartered in Irvine, California, designs and builds advanced electric vehicles and energy storage systems. The company is most well known for their electric motors and inverters that they design and build to order, as well as the sophisticated Lithium-ion batteries that power their vehicles. While their focus is on creating sustainable transportation and clean energy, Fisker has also worked with NASA to build a prototype space solar panel that could be used in a future mission to Mars.
Fisker Inc. was founded in 1999 and is currently operated by Henrik Fisker, who is also the founder of the company. He began his career in engineering and product development and worked his way up to vice president of engineering at Tesla, where he oversaw the creation of the all-electric sports car. He also worked on the design and manufacture of several other vehicles for Tesla, including the Model S. Fisker was named one of the Top 40 Most Influential Leaders in the Green Industry in 2019.
General Electric Company (GE)
General Electric Company (GE) is one of the world’s most valuable and influential companies, valued at nearly $150 billion. The corporation designs and builds advanced technology products for the healthcare, educational, energy, transportation, and manufacturing sectors. It was founded in 1892 and is headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut.