Rethinking How Companies Operate
Sustainability is generally viewed through the lens of environmental, economic, or societal impacts. And while many organizations fulfill one–maybe two–of these aspects, it’s rare to encounter a business like ReVision Energy that commits to achieving success in all three.
The company, which operates in NH, ME, and MA, is a leading provider of residential and commercial solar, battery storage, EV charging infrastructure, and heat pump energy solutions. This, by itself, would lead many to label it as being sustainable since it is helping to reduce pollution that causes significant health, climate, and other problems. But this is really just the starting point of ReVision Energy’s sustainability journey.
“True sustainability is how a company is impacting its community and economy, as well as the natural environment,” says Dan Clapp, ReVision Energy’s CEO and co-founder. “We like to ask ourselves ‘How are we set up to provide long term value in these areas?’”
GO: Sustainable Tip of the Month
Just about any company in any sector–from outdoor recreation and retail, to hospitality and financial services–can harness the benefits associated with being certified as a B Corp. Using the tagline “Business as a Force for Good,” B Corp is a global non-profit that assists organizations with measuring and achieving high environmental and social outcomes, while also committing to accountability and transparency. In coordination with B Corp’s partner B Lab, enterprises conduct a robust analysis of their overall operations and human resource practices. This allows them to gain critical insights into efficiencies like waste reduction and process management. It also highlights potential risks and liabilities. In addition to ReVision Energy, several other NH companies have traversed the B Corp route, such as Stonyfield, W. S. Badger, ConvenientMD, Pete and Gerry’s, and Mascoma Bank.
The company also strongly believes in collaborating with industry and advocacy groups for action on legislation and regulations. Clapp, who serves as Clean Energy NH’s board vice-chair, says public policy plays an important role for the energy sector. In fact, ReVision has two full-time staffers that are tasked with lobbying for renewable energy legislation at the state and federal levels.
“We are very active in and around our state capitals. We support policy, but not politicians or political parties,” says Clapp.
While Clapp maintains that incentives are important for clean energy, he notes that as technology continues to improve, costs will fall even more, further differentiating renewables from their fossil fuel competitors.
“As of today, solar and storage are the most cost-effective energy solutions to meet our growing electrical demand,” he adds.
Recognizing that sunshine is not only a powerful energy source, but is the proverbial best disinfectant, ReVision Energy became a certified B Corp in 2015 (see Tip of the Month). Having since been recertified, Clapp says the B Corp process assists in attracting employees, marketing, and operational efficiencies, all through the deployment of “non-traditional business practices.”
“We wanted to test ourselves and document what we were doing,” Clapp says. “It’s similar to Fair Trade approval in that it’s verified by a third-party. It's also worked to embed sustainability into our DNA and helps with our branding.”
The company is also a registered benefit corporation in ME, legally binding it to create one or more specific public benefits, like “promoting economic opportunities, protecting the environment, and improving the health and resiliency of communities,” according to the ME Secretary of State’s office.
Ultimately, ReVision Energy offers durable products and services that benefit the environment and the finances of individuals and organizations, all the while using an innovative ownership structure and educational opportunities to assist the communities in which it operates.
One way the company has expanded its influence is through its ownership model. In 2017, ReVision realigned to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, in which a trust was established to manage company shares for all employees, thereby becoming 100% employee-owned. According to Clapp, this has increased employee benefits, customer satisfaction, and transparency.
Further enhancing its sustainability credentials, ReVision uses educational outreach to broaden the discourse of the importance of renewable energy. The company has extensive educational resources on its website, everything from lesson plans for teachers to conversation starters for parents.
“If we want to solve climate challenges, education is going to be really important,” says Clapp, who openly acknowledges that engaging with parents and school boards helps to build the company’s brand.
About the Author
Andrew Schuyler splits his time between Conway, NH and Melrose, MA. He serves on the Board of the White Mountains Interpretive Association and has a background in journalism, clean tech, government affairs, and parenting. Originally from WI, Andrew has lived in UT, CO, and MT, and is not easily offended, except by the term “flyover zone.” Reach him at andrewschuyler@hotmail.com
