With the development of modern technologies like smartphones and tablets, the world of work is slowly moving towards a digital sphere. Along with the rise of new industries and businesses comes a new set of questions regarding working hours, productivity, and lifestyle. One example is how remote working has changed the way we approach and engage with our jobs. With many employees shifting to a more digital nomad lifestyle, how are companies planning to handle the influx of new talent? One option is to reorganize workflows and adopt new technologies to attract and retain top talent. This is where solar energy utilization (seriously) comes in.
The Rise Of Solar Energy
Even before smartphones and tablets were a thing, companies were looking for ways to improve their engagement with their employees. Companies like Google, Twitter, and Facebook have all implemented various wellness programs in recent years. Wellness is important because it improves both the quality and quantity of life for employees. If you’re spending more time at work than at home, you’re already benefiting from the company’s investment in your well-being. However, you might be wondering what specifically wellness programs have to do with solar energy?
Wellness programs often include things like gym memberships and food trucks, but they can also be quite a bit more creative. For example, Amazon implemented an office garden that provides fresh fruit and vegetables for all of its employees. While we don’t want to overwork ourselves, it’s important to keep in mind that well-being has a lot to do with creativity and engagement in a work environment. When employees feel energized and productive, they’re more likely to remain engaged and productive throughout their workday.
This is why companies are looking to alternative energy sources to provide for their employees’ wellness needs. One option is solar energy. In the right circumstances, solar energy could provide all the power an office needs, as well as some additional benefits.
The Rise Of Microgrids
If you work in an office that’s off-grid, you might not have access to clean electricity. This can make it challenging to operate at peak performance, as you’ll likely have to rely on generators or batteries to provide the electricity for your devices. Having your own power source is important not only for the quality of your worklife, but for your physical and mental health as well. Individually, each person in your office might be able to power up their devices with solar energy, but what happens when you have more people than solar panels?
This scenario presents itself whenever an entire office, or even a department, comes off the electricity grid. In those situations, it’s usually easier and more convenient to establish a microgrid. A microgrid is simply an organized group of smaller grids that work together to provide power to an entire office or department.
Establishing a microgrid requires a bit of planning, as you’ll need to consider where you’re going to get the electricity from and how you’re going to store it. Once you have a fully operational microgrid, you can power up individual devices and use them as usual, but you’ll also be able to charge up your phones and tablets whenever you need to. This is especially useful for those working remotely, as they often have to rely on generators and batteries to provide electricity for their devices. Having a fully functioning microgrid allows for more productive and creative working hours than ever before.
The microgrid also provides additional benefits. In a microgrid there’s less chance for power outages, which can really disrupt the workflow of a company. Additionally, having a mini power plant in the office means you’ll never be at the mercy of a giant power company when it comes time to recharge your devices. This prevents possible energy bills that could rack up. Finally, a microgrid gives you some extra security in the office. If there’s no electricity, your devices will still work, as long as you have a backup power supply. This means your electronics won’t necessarily go idle just because the power is off. Your electronics could continue operating even when the power is out, just in case something happens and you need to reestablish electrical connections.
Choosing solar energy over other options for powering your office is a strategic decision that could benefit your business and your employees. Not only does solar energy mean fewer energy bills, but it could also mean additional benefits for your health and safety. If you’re interested in pursuing this option, reach out to your local solar energy provider today.