Global warming and the solar future

The battle is underway for Americans to determine their energy future. A determined group of climate change deniers, backed by the fossil fuel industry, are trying to restart the moribund coal and nuclear energy sectors. The upcoming midterm elections are critically important in terms of determining our near-term energy future.

There are other decisions with global consequences this fall. Leaders all around the world decided to stand up to climate change and sign on to the historic Paris Agreement. Unfortunately, Donald Trump is influenced very heavily by the coal and gas industries. This means that renewable energy sources will be given short shrift by the administration. 

Renewables are declining in cost

Due to falling costs and improvements in renewable technologies, solar and wind projects are being built in more places around the globe. The installations are being constructed more cheaply than at any time in history. Additionally, if the price of photovoltaic cells continues to drop as rapidly as it has over the past 10 years, solar power could be as inexpensive as coal almost everywhere by as early as 2017. Some studies estimate 100 percent of the world’s energy needs could be met with renewable sources by 2050, as long as intelligent policies are put in place to help support them.

Cost of solar panels cheaper than ever before

In many locations across the United States, not only is solar power becoming more affordable than ever before, it’s actually becoming competitive with utility rates for energy from fossil fuel. When solar power costs the same (or less) as acquiring power from the grid, it’s called solar grid parity, and it’s an important milestone in demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of harnessing solar power.

Technological advances in energy storage make a big difference
 
The manner in which we create energy with renewables is also very important. How do we store excess energy? Developing solar energy storage options is a critically important factor for long-term solar growth. That’s because the sun doesn’t shine 24 hours a day every day, nor is it always windy. The progress in energy storage technology is excellent.

There has never been a better time to install a solar power system!

Solar power is here to stay, and the sooner you explore how much you can save, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits of residential solar power. Go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. It tells you how much solar power you need, and how much you can save.

Please visit our solar blog to find out more about the benefits of going solar.