After searching around for a bit for a ‘green’ web host, I decided to make a short list of what I found.
- aiso.net – 100% powered by solar panels, this includes the data centre and offices. They even have a webcam of the panels that you can peek in on.
- hostpapa.ca – The company’s energy consumption is audited yearly at which point they purchase back the energy from companies who generate wind power. This power is then pumped back into the grid.
- thinkhost.com – By purchasing green energy certificates (RECs), 100% of the power is offset by renewable energy (90% Wind/10% Solar).
- ecosky.com – ecoSky generates their own power using solar panels. Since they are also connected to the grid they can feed back excess energy that can be used by others. During times when they are required to use energy from the grid, which is offset by supporting wind power.
- dreamhost.com – Dream Host is carbon neutral. After calculating impact of the company they purchase Emission Reduction Credits to offset their footprint.
Well there you have it…solar, wind, offsets, trees….it looks like companies are starting to see the value in being ‘green’. Which one is best you ask…well it really depends on the services you need, but they are all making an effort to leave less of a foot print, so they are all good in my books.
What are Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
A ‘REC‘ or ‘Green Tag‘ is basically a certificate that the owner of can claim that they have purchased renewable energy. One REC represents 1 (MWh) of electricity produced by a green energy provider. These certificates can then be sold or traded on the open market and unlike carbon trading programs that increase the cost of emitting carbon, RECs act as an incentive & subsidy to produce more green energy.
For a list of Energy Certificate prodcuts available in the US please see: US Dept Of Energy
For a list of Green Power sources in Canada please see: pollutionprobe.org or davidsuzuki.org
Some of this information was referenced from the following websites:
