How innovative companies are advancing sustainability goals in 2025 with solar and ESG solutions 

Efforts to meet sustainability goals and ESG requirements have taken a hit in recent years. Since the most recent elections, we’ve witnessed a partial backlash in the industry, with some taking aim at efforts to reduce carbon emissions associated with commercial and industrial enterprises.

While this has taken hold in some parts of the world, regions like Europe and Asia are upping the ante with sustainability goals. And despite the backlash in some parts of the world, many corporate leaders understand that ESG is about much more than just compliance, with sustainability as a catalyst for resilience and long-term value. 

This means we’ve seen the rise of a trend called “hushing”, in which companies continue to make great strides towards sustainability goals, but don’t publicly advocate or promote these initiatives in the same way. 

We’re  also seeing a shift behind the scenes where companies are making microchanges to their energy mix, slowly adopting an increasing amount of renewable energy sources to combat carbon usage. 

Renewable energy startups are helping to advance the use of solar energy through innovative solutions that support energy transition in realistic ways and others who support the future of the ESG industry globally. 

Below is a look at seven companies in solar solutions, renewable energy and plastic reduction that support ESG efforts internationally.

Planno unlocks solar potential across commercial rooftops 

Massive solar parks are helping to accelerate the transition to renewable energy. However, they are also costly initiatives that take years to build and even longer to deliver an ROI. 

Planno is helping companies switch to solar by converting unused rooftop space into a solar energy powerhouse. 

Traditionally, solar developers have been stuck in a cycle of inefficient, manual work. Manually scanning industrial areas, checking Google Earth for rooftops, using multiple software tools, and relying on random online resources to gather potential customer data.

This inefficient approach often means missed opportunities. With limited time and scattered data sources, finding the right rooftops or clients becomes more about luck than strategy. It’s an outdated method, and it’s holding companies back.

The innovative platform from Planno, founded by Daniel Domingues (article’s featured photo) is helping to bridge the gap between large-scale projects and immediate ways to harness solar power at scale. Planno is an AI-powered prospecting software platform that helps solar companies to identify and pre-qualify commercial and industrial rooftop opportunities faster, easier, and at scale.

Common Energy champions community energy 

Established in New York in 2018, Common Energy is focused on building its community solar programme, whereby renewable energy is more accessible and affordable across the US. Currently available in 15 states, their solution allows homeowners, non-profit organisations and businesses to save on electricity by supporting clean energy projects. 

The solar programme works by users entering their postal code and utility into Common Energy’s system to see if there is a clean energy project in their local area. Once a community solar project is established in the user’s local area, they can sign up for free and have their electricity supplied by renewable energy sources. 

Those who sign up will receive tax credits aligned with the Inflation Reduction Act. 

As a result, people and businesses can save between 5% and 25% on their electricity bills for up to 20 years while supporting renewable energy projects. 

EcoFlow makes renewable energy more accessible 

Next on our list of innovative startup companies in renewable energy in EcoFlow. Founded in 2017 by a group of experienced battery engineers, EcoFlow is a Californian startup that manufactures portable power solutions, home battery solar systems and smart energy devices. 

Their eco-friendly solutions can be used as an off-grid power supply when camping in the wilderness or during household power outages, reducing the need for carbon-intensive generators. 

EcoFlow’s 522 patented technologies are designed to make renewable energy more widely accessible to people, families, and communities. Their solutions come equipped with high-capacity batteries that can be charged quickly and tracked on a mobile app. Currently available in over 100 countries with over 2.5 million users worldwide, EcoFlow’s solutions have been endorsed by Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal.

Viking Pure helps to turn maintenance into a win for ESG 

Viking Pure is redefining cleaning with solutions that prioritize safety and efficacy above all else. The company’s Green Seal-certified alternatives that eliminate harmful pathogens and eliminate single-use plastics from the cleaning supply chain. 

This has enabled companies to improve sustainability performance across several fronts and include these metrics in ESG reports. This includes being environmentally responsible by using non-toxic cleaning solutions, reducing  vehicle emissions by eliminating the need for shipping cleaning products, protecting the health of staff and the environment and standardizing the reuse of plastic spray bottles to reduce waste.  

Raya Power makes solar more accessible 

Raya Power designed a system in partnership with communities who need it most, understanding the barriers to solar today. Raya removes hurdles such as high costs, requirements for home ownership and roofs, and utility permits.

The company is united by a passion to democratize solar energy to ensure that everyone has the ability to reduce their electricity bills and gain resilience for the next outage, with the founding team having spent hundreds of hours researching the problem, working with communities to understand the barriers to adoption today, and designing a solution to meet these needs.

Credibl ESG brings AI-grade technology to ESG data management software

Credibl is an AI-powered Sustainability & ESG data management software & reporting platform to measure, manage & track your data. 

The enterprise helps businesses across the globe achieve their sustainability goals by helping them measure, manage, and report ESG data in an efficient way and communicate it to their stakeholders.

The company’s commitment to sustainability is unwavering, ensuring that its partners don’t just meet but redefine industry standards. 

BioESol created AI-powered energy storage to help smooth energy transition

BioESol is a Mexican startup that offers innovative battery storage solutions for companies that are transitioning to being powered by renewable energy. Easily integrated with renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, the company’s batteries are both modular and scalable, allowing for companies to transition at a pace that works best for their needs. 

Earlier this year, the company announced a $15 million infusion to launch BioEnergía Total (TotalBioEnergy), an energy as a service model which helps companies save on energy and costs. 

In 2022, the company, founded by Felipe Arriola and Samuel Arriola Rodriguez, won first place at the Heineken Green Challenge. The startup was granted entry into Mexico’s “Heineken Acceleration Program” operated by Tec de Monterrey’s Center of Excellence for Science and Technology-Based Entrepreneurship.

The startup then went on to be accelerated at international company builder Techstars (2022).