Solar power, biofuels, and other green technologies require decades of research and massive funds to scale. Big data tools, on the other hand, are a relatively cost-effective way to better manage resources, fight climate change, and adapt to our ever-changing, ever-growing planet.

GigaOM shone the spotlight on five companies representing the next generation of start-ups leveraging big data to better conserve energy. By combining and analyzing various massive data sets available online, companies like OPower and EcoFactor are finding new and innovative ways to save consumers millions of dollars on utility bills and protecting our planet in the process.

1. OPower ^[1] uses algorithms to collect and crunch utility consumption data, combine it with other large data sets, analyze it for behavior changes, and package the results into a detailed utility bill that can help consumers save on their energy bills.
2. EcoFactor ^[2] uses big data sets and algorithms to automatically turn down connected thermostats, saving money on home energy consumption. A report released earlier this month found EcoFactor’s software can save customers up to 17 percent on energy bills, compared to customers with non-optomized thermostats.
3. Year-old start-up Geostellar ^[3] uses big data to help solar installers make more informed decisions about selling and delivering solar panels. Geostellar’s software analyzes at least 25 different types of data, including information about weather, roof slope, and shadows, and delivers information that can help solar installers optimize where to best sell their panels and services.
4. SAP ^[4]‘s next-gen Carbon Impact business unit, a.k.a. “Carbon Impact 5.0,” helps businesses manage energy and carbon usage. By leveraging Amazon’s cloud services, SAP provides businesses with access on-demand computing power, storage, memory, and hosting.
5. A competitor to SAP in the carbon and energy software providing business, Hara ^[5] also leverages the cloud (from cloud provider OpSource ^[6]) to house resource information for Hara’s customers.

Read more from GigaOM ^[7].