Solar Power
NO FIRE NO EMISSIONS NO POLLUTION
I was first introduced to solar power in the 1990; it had been included in the construction of our new home. The solar panels were located on a small portion of our roof and provided the necessary energy supply to heat our water. Although too young to really comprehend the environmental benefits of solar power, I experienced other benefits of having solar power. In 1992 the island I lived on had a devastating hurricane that annihilated the island. Fortunately for us our solar panels remained intact and in the following weeks before generators arrived I would be safe to assume we were one of few with hot water.
How it works? In short sunlight hits a layer of semiconductors jostling electrons creating a current. Currently solar power provides less than 1% of the world’s energy. Although currently more expensive than other forms of energy i.e. nuclear, wind, and coal, it has a promising future. New technology is improving the wattage capabilities of solar power, decreasing the size of the panels, and making it more cost effective.
A system today averages around $15,000, but don’t let that deter you. Many states such as California and New Jersey, are subsidizing the costs for homeowners, not to mention it eliminates the electric bill.
Fun Facts.
A new law in Spain requires new buildings to include solar energy
Panels covering less than a ¼ of the roof and pavement of cities and suburbs could supply the US with all of its electricity.
posted by Samantha @ 8:46 PM
5 Comments:
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Solar energy should definitely be a major source of energy in the future. However, as you have said, it is an expensive alternative. I mean, even a solar panel costing 15000$ would mean that getting a return on investment would require having a maintenance free working panel for 7-8 years. I don’t know much about the current panels, but if it would not require repairs or maintenance for 10 years, I would think we could all go for it as a matter of social and environmental responsibility. Other than that, as more and more people buy it, the costs would definitely come down, and the technology will improve as well, as parts of the profits that the increased sale of panels would generate would be used for Research and Development. But, I am not going all gung-ho about all that yet. I am sure the technology is not that far-fetched even now, but I think the “oil-mafia” might have a hand to play as far as the lack of progress in the search and development of alternate energy resources goes. I would love to see an article on Biomass energy. I have heard that coal-fired boilers using fluidized bed biomass gasification are gaining momentum in commercial environments.
Solar seems to be becoming more and more popular. It's funny, when i think of solar, the first thing that comes to mind is earth ships in places like new mexico. Do you know what they are? they're houses made of all things recyclable and have the outside covered mostly with solar panels. I've also seen them recently appearing on the highways, powering the changeable speed limit signs. My question with this is how efficient is it really? I think the main thing it has going for it is how widely known it is. I think the general public are going to have a hard time picking up on something they have'nt heard of, since change doesn't come easily to most people. Since it is something somewhat well known already, it's got a much better chance of taking off. I hope more research goes into it and it starts to get going.
I feel like any drastic change is hard to implement because of the start up costs... With solar energy, the panels are very expensive, so people do not rush out and choose solar energy. But, if more people realized the benefit of solar energy, and started using it, the popularity of the product would lower the price.
Unfortunately, I think major changes dont happen until something goes wrong with the current system, because as we all know "if it aint broke, dont fix it." Im not saying thats the right frame of mind, but its a common concept that many people fall back on when they are faced with a decision to spend more money on a new product that has not been tested and used as much as an older system.
I should read your blog more often to figure out some energy options that will keep down my heating bills. Last semester, my roomates and I racked up at 1200 dollar energy bill from connective- it was miserable. We had our power turned off at one point. Our stupid landlord rented us the crappiest house- the door didn't shut all the way, there was no insullation in the attic, and windows couldn't keep out cold air. The fact that we didn't pay our bills didn't really help but the other things just tacked on the problem.
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