Today, Positive Energy Solar was recognized for creating the most positive environmental impact among Midsize Businesses (50+ employees)by the nonprofit B Lab with the release of the third annual “B Corp Best for the Environment” list. The list honors 84 businesses that earned an environmental impact score in the top 10 percent of all Certified B Corporations on the B Impact Assessment, a rigorous and comprehensive assessment of a company’s impact on its workers, community and the environment. Honorees were recognized among micro, small and mid-sized businesses.
Headquartered in Santa Fe with locations in Albuquerque and Las Cruces, Positive Energy Solar is the only solar company in New Mexico that is a certified B Corp. The employee-owned company earned the distinction by providing good wages, benefits, and growth opportunities for team members; contributing to schools and non profits; delivering 100 percent satisfaction to its customers; and selecting products for long term performance and low environmental impact. Positive Energy Solar has more than 1,000 solar installations across New Mexico.
Other “B Corp Best for the Environment” honorees includeoutdoor retailerPatagonia, home and personal care companies Method and Seventh Generation, employee-owned, craft beer maker New Belgium Brewery, and WasteZero, a waste reduction and management company.
Positive Energy Solar CEO Regina Wheeler accepted the award on behalf of her fellow employees, saying, “We are honored to be recognized among the top 10 percent of all B Corps for environmental performance. We are on a mission to bring affordable, clean solar systems to more New Mexico businesses and individuals, and in the process, ensure our state remains the ‘Land of Enchantment.’”
The “B Corp Best for the Environment” companies represent more than 30 different industries such as financial services, consulting, apparel, and personal care. Thirty-six percent operate in the service sector, 33 percent in wholesale/retail and 25 percent in manufacturing. A quarter of honorees are based outside the United States, with 13 percent operating in emerging markets such as Brazil, Colombia and Chile. (The full list of honorees is available at www.bestfortheworld.bcorporation.net)
“It’s great to see so many diverse companies on this year’s Best for the Environment list,” says B Lab co-founder, Jay Coen Gilbert. “With representatives from 30 different industries, it once again shows that all companies can compete to be the best of the best at creating a positive impact.”
Each honored company is a Certified B Corporation. They use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems and have met rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. There are over 990 certified B Corporations across 60 industries and 32 countries, unified by a common goal: to redefine success in business.
B Lab released the “Best for the World” list (overall impact) in March and will release separate lists recognizing the companies “Best for the Community” and “Best for Workers” later in 2014.