Why solar power? What’s so special about it?
To better understand the essence of solar power, let’s take a brief walk down memory lane. Since the Industrial Revolution, humanity has been extracting fossil fuels from the ground and pumping it into the atmosphere to fuel our transportation, industry, and household needs. This has resulted in a greenhouse effect, causing far-reaching and long-lasting changes to the natural ecosystems of Earth.
Undoubtedly, the need of the hour is to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels by using alternative sources of energy. Currently, there is no alternative, which has had the same advancements and impacts as solar energy. With its widespread applicability and cost-effectiveness, solar has already enabled countless homeowners, businesses, and industries to lessen their carbon footprint while sustaining their energy needs.
The advantages of solar generally outweigh those of other alternative sources of energy. Let’s discuss why solar power remains the most promising solution for an eco-friendly future.
Why Solar Power? An Almost Ever-Lasting Source of Energy
The sun is, in the final analysis, the creator of almost all energy on Earth. At the top of the ladder is sunlight, which fuels plants, and at the bottom rung of the ladder are millennia-old decayed plants and animals which create fossil fuels like petroleum, coal, and natural gas that fuel most of our energy at present.
Why not invert the entire process and generate energy directly from sunlight? The sun is the most abundant resource of energy in our solar system, and the Earth receives 173,000 terawatts of solar energy ceaselessly. This means that if we were to tap into all of this energy, it would still be 10,000 times more than our global energy use!
A sustainable, eco-friendly future will completely reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and solar energy is the only path towards achieving that on the largest scales.
Advancements in Technology
Currently, the photovoltaic (PV) cell manufacturing process has a few drawbacks. These include the use of hazardous materials and the efficiency gaps in the final product. Additionally, solar production requires land and water use, especially for large solar-thermal plants.
Fortunately, work has been going on to tackle some of these drawbacks with improvements in technology. For instance, IBM researchers have been working to produce concentrated PV cells that are far more efficient in converting solar radiation into electricity. They say that increasing the concentration of light on PV cells by about 10 times makes it possible to boost the amount of usable electrical energy by up to 5 times.
With such advancements right on the horizon, it is safe to say that solar efficiency and effectiveness will grow substantially in the coming years, shortening the time taken to achieve a zero-carbon footprint future.
Why Solar Power: The Increasing Affordability and Savings of Solar
Even as the cost of electricity has continued to rise, the cost of solar has continued to decline. In fact, the cost of solar has fallen by over 70% over the last decade, making it cheaper than ever at present. Though the upfront costs are still hefty, there are various federal and state tax incentives and programs that make going solar more affordable.
Because of these reasons, solar power remains the most viable solution for large-scale sustainability. For solar power, the future is definitely bright. If you want to take part in driving this sustainable future and avail the tremendous benefits of going solar in New York State, get a free quote from us or consult with our representative today!