So here you are... you have done everything you can in terms of energy efficiency and conservation, and you'd like to take it a step further and go solar. What if you don't have space for solar panels? Or perhaps a neighborhood regulation, or your sense of aesthetics, conflicts with solar panels on your roof.

There is something else you can do: consider “virtual” greenhouse gas mitigation and renewable energy products. In essence, you invest in CO2 reduction or renewable energy elsewhere, in such a way as to match (and thereby offset) your own needs. That way, you can run your property in an energy- or carbon-neutral way without actually ever installing anything on site.

More in-depth details on the topic can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_offset.

Further information from a vendor perspective is available on the following web sites (please note we do not endorse these companies):
http://www.oneenergyrenewables.com/
http://www.3degreesinc.com/

Be sure to only invest in such products that are certified by the independent organization “Green-e” (http://www.green-e.org/).

Research it further! You will be surprised how much you can do with very little.