Solar Power: Is it the answer to our energy woes?
The world’s energy crisis has reached the point where it can no longer be ignored, and there are few viable alternatives to fossil fuels. Solar power seems to offer an alternative to the traditional sources of energy that have caused so much environmental damage, but is it really the answer? This article analyzes solar power as an alternative energy source and whether or not we should rely on it in the future.
The History of Solar Energy
Solar power has been used for centuries, but only recently has it become a viable option for large-scale energy production. Solar power is generated by using photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity. This electricity can then be used to power homes, businesses, and even entire cities. Solar power is a renewable resource that does not produce greenhouse gases or other pollutants, making it a very attractive option for those concerned about climate change. In recent years, the cost of solar panels has dropped dramatically, making solar power more accessible than ever before. The installation costs are also falling quickly as well. A 2012 study found that an average solar panel installation costs $2.21 per watt, while in 1977 it was nearly $150 per watt. It's estimated that this trend will continue and we'll see the price of solar panels drop below $1 per watt in the next decade! With these low prices, homeowners who have previously opted out of installing a system because they thought it was too expensive are now able to take advantage of this clean energy source and drastically reduce their monthly electric bills at the same time! As you may know, most residential systems use one to three solar panels. However, there are some cases where people have up to ten panels installed on their roof! While larger systems might seem like a better investment up front, they actually require higher maintenance costs and are less likely to offset your electrical bill with enough savings. For example, if you install nine solar panels on your roof instead of just three or four, your initial investment would need to be nearly double the original amount needed for just three or four panels because of higher initial equipment purchase costs. If you're still interested in getting started with solar power but don't want to go through all the trouble of designing and installing your own system, talk with someone from Direct Energy Home Services today! We provide free design and installation services along with financing options so that you never have to worry about the upfront cost again.
A Brief History of Solar Energy
There are numerous myths surrounding what ancient civilizations knew about solar power, but scholars do agree that cultures around the world made good use of solar energy long before modern times. One notable example comes from Greek mythology when Apollo taught Pythagoras how to construct sun dials. While much progress has been made since those days, there is still room for improvement. In 2008, California experienced rolling blackouts due to decreased hydroelectric output caused by drought conditions. This prompted them to explore solar power as a potential solution. Currently, the largest solar power facility in the world (by capacity) is located near San Luis Obispo and has the capacity to generate 280 megawatts of energy. It has a 290 foot tower that's completely covered in 10,200 mirrors. What once seemed like a distant dream is now a reality and it's only going to get bigger and better.
As of November 2013, it is predicted that 20% of American households will have solar panels installed on their roofs by 2020. Experts say that residential solar power could eventually reach grid parity and be cheaper than grid electricity rates across the United States. This is because solar power has the ability to generate electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It doesn't matter if the sun isn't shining or there's no wind; solar panels are always generating energy. Plus, there's no transmission cost with solar power like there is with coal and nuclear power plants that rely on natural gas or coal for fuel. That means you'll be able to save money and help save the environment at the same time! You might not want to take out a second mortgage just yet, though. The upfront costs of installing solar panels can be pretty high depending on where you live and your roof's efficiency.
It also requires some experience and knowledge to install the panels properly so they don't lose efficiency over time. But these drawbacks shouldn't stop you from considering investing in solar power, especially if you're committed to being eco-friendly.
There are various ways to offset installation costs such as installing the system yourself or purchasing tax credits offered by many states. Of course one of the best ways is simply waiting until solar power becomes more affordable so more people can invest in this renewable resource for future generations to enjoy!
How Does Solar Energy Work?
Solar power is a clean and renewable source of energy that can be used to generate electricity or heat. Solar energy comes from the sun, and solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. Solar power is emissions-free, and it can help reduce your carbon footprint. Solar power is also cost-effective, and it can save you money on your electric bill. One downside of solar power is that it only works when the sun shines - making it unsuitable for cloudy days or in climates with long winters. Some other disadvantages are that photovoltaic cells are expensive and they produce direct current (DC) instead of alternating current (AC). However, there are ways to store DC so that it becomes AC. And newer innovations in solar panel technology have been coming out with new solutions for these problems which make them more practical and efficient than ever before! This type of innovation will continue to grow, as will the market share of solar power. As we move away from fossil fuels, solar power will become an increasingly popular alternative because of its many benefits. It's important to note that all types of fuel sources, including solar power, come with their own drawbacks. For example, while some people worry about how much space solar panels take up and whether or not the surface area required for generating enough electricity would fit in urban environments, others wonder about how difficult installation might be. There are arguments against using solar power too; one person claims the idea behind it is ridiculous while another argues it's way too inefficient. But one common concern that most people seem to agree on is the potential financial burden this investment would entail. The price tag alone makes going green a hard sell. It takes time and patience before any good investments pay off; but if you're willing to invest now then it will pay off later down the line... A few other considerations should be taken into account before deciding on solar power:
1. What is your budget?
2. What is the availability of light where you live?
3. How often do you want to use your system (for instance, during peak hours)? If you want to rely solely on solar power, then this may not work for you--so look at combining different forms of renewable energy like wind and water with solar power.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Energy
Solar power is a renewable energy source that can be used to generate electricity or heat. Solar power is captured through the use of solar panels, which convert sunlight into electrical energy. Solar power has a number of advantages over other forms of energy, including its low carbon footprint and its potential to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, solar power also has a number of disadvantages, including its high initial cost and its reliance on weather conditions. In addition, solar power requires a large surface area for solar panels (equivalent to approximately 3 acres per megawatt), which limits the locations where this type of energy can be harnessed. For example, because buildings are often located in urban areas, they don't have enough space for solar panels. And even if there were enough space for them on rooftops, installing them would mean that residents wouldn't have access to roofs as living spaces and recreational areas. For these reasons, solar power does not seem like an immediate solution to our energy needs. That said, many experts believe that we should invest in new technologies to improve our solar panel efficiency and bring down their costs. They argue that while solar power may not be ready to replace coal plants right now, by investing now we will give ourselves the option of scaling up solar power in the future when prices drop and environmental conditions worsen. They also point out that countries with ample sun exposure offer opportunities for utility-scale photovoltaic arrays, which could provide clean energy at scale - but only if governments commit today to build transmission lines from remote sites to their cities tomorrow. Finally, some experts caution against thinking about solar power as a complete replacement for other types of energy. Instead, they suggest that solar panels should supplement traditional energy sources to help meet our energy needs in the long term. It's important to consider all sides of the issue before making a decision. We need to make sure that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages so we're confident that our investment will pay off. There are plenty of things we can do, such as increasing investments in research and development for solar technology and finding ways to make installation easier, before turning solely to solar power as a solution. A recent report found that while solar power may not be ready to replace coal plants right now, increased research and development efforts might lead to better-performing cells and lower production costs. The report suggests several ways of overcoming barriers impeding progress toward wider adoption, including simplifying the installation process; focusing research efforts on higher performing cells; continuing to explore efficiencies of cell integration; addressing cost issues; researching alternative materials for panels and concentrating more R&D effort on performance improvement for silicon based devices
In the meantime, I plan to buy shares in BP oil company
Tips on Going Solar
1. Determine if your home is a good candidate for solar power. Ideally, you'll have a south-facing roof that isn't shaded by trees or other buildings.
2. Calculate the cost of going solar. This includes the cost of the panels themselves, as well as any necessary permits or fees.
3. Find out if there are any rebates or tax incentives available in your area. This can help offset the initial cost of going solar.
4. Get quotes from multiple solar panel installation companies. Be sure to compare not only price, but also quality and customer service.
5. Have your new solar panels installed by a professional company. They will be able to assess your property and recommend the best system for you. 6. After installation, make sure you understand how your system works before signing up for an ongoing contract with a third party. 7. Ensure all workers who come onto your property carry identification and wear uniforms identifying them as representatives of the company they work for. 8. If something does go wrong with your solar panels, contact the installer immediately to schedule repairs or maintenance--don't wait until there's an emergency! 9. Lastly, enjoy saving money on electric bills! One kilowatt hour (kWh) from a solar panel costs around $0.15 per kWh. When you're running at peak capacity, your savings could total about $4,000 annually (depending on location). With long-term contracts of 20 years, this means that after 10 years (in year 10), you've paid off the upfront cost of installing solar panels ($19,600 average) plus saved more than $10,000. Over time and with repeated payments/savings, you could even see triple digit returns on investment! That's enough to convince me that Solar Power is worth the investment. But what do I need to know first? As someone who has always lived in an apartment building, I'm always curious about what the benefits of owning my own home might be. According to Energy Sage's Home Owner’s Guide to Going Solar page, one consideration is whether or not your rooftop faces south. Another consideration is whether you qualify for any local rebate programs or tax credits that might help lower the cost of installing solar panels. These considerations will depend largely on where you live and how much sun exposure your house gets during daylight hours—but don't worry, Energy Sage has created a Find Out Now tool which provides estimations based on your zip code so that you can determine whether solar power would be worth it for you before making any commitments.
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