Solar power and the demise of fossil fuels

Global warming is the mother of invention. Technological advances in renewable energy are offering the world some hope amid the most hellish summer on record. Catastrophic wildfires, droughts, and heat waves are dominating the news in 2018. The momentum for solar energy has never been more intense as scientists realize the extent of climate change. One of the most advanced of the megatrends is the renewable energy revolution. Production costs for solar panels and wind turbines have plummeted by 90% in the past decade. Consequently, in some parts of the world solar is already the cheapest electricity available and installation is soaring, This amazing growth has upset expectations. In truth, growth has been exponential. China is leading the solar push, but the impact is being felt around the world.  In Germany last week there was so much excess wind power that customers received free electricity. In the United States, enthusiasm for green energy has not been diminished by President Donald Trump committing to repeal key climate legislation.  

Old king coal’s time is very short

President Trump has been a consistent supporter of coal despite the fact that it is perhaps the most dangerous energy source known to man (other than nuclear.). Production of coal now appears to have peaked in 2013. The speed of its fall has stunned analysts. The cause is not surprising since solar and wind are cheaper. But the consequences are grave. In pollution-choked China, there are now no provinces where coal is needed, so the country has just killed plans for 151 plants. Bankruptcies have dominated the US coal industry and in the UK, where coal-burning started the industrial revolution, it has fallen from 40% of the power supply to 2% in the past five years.
“Last year, I said if Asia builds what it says it is going to build, we can kiss goodbye to 2C” – the internationally agreed limit for dangerous climate change – says Liebreich. “Now we are showing coal [plans] coming down.” But this is just the start. Without a solar energy program, the world will suffer enormous climate change related issues.

Solar and wind power are simply cheaper...and they don’t emit greenhouse gases

Solar and wind are cheaper than coal, but a second tipping point is needed. That will happen when renewables are less expensive to build than operating existing coal plants. If renewable costs continue to fall as expected, this would happen between 2030 and 2040. 

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.