Solar and the earth

Scientists who specialize in climate have reported about the devastating consequences of global warming for many years. Unfortunately, policymakers are subject to corruption which explains why some countries are going forward with solar technology and some are not. There is an ongoing debate between solar energy and fossil fuels. It’s clear that fossil fuels are a finite resource expected to last only another 50 years at current projections. Fossil fuels need to be phased out quickly since the world is still dependent upon these dirty sources of energy. In reality, fossil fuels still power most of the planet,  while renewable resources like solar and wind only contribute a small amount of global energy capacity. The change to solar is happening quickly in Germany, China, India, and the United States.

Solar energy vs fossil fuels

Education is necessary to inform people about advances that make renewable energy sources a viable option for individuals and businesses. In terms of environmental impact, solar power is a dramatically cleaner and more efficient form of energy than fossil fuels. Coal and natural gas have the advantage in current availability. But solar is catching on quickly and will be the dominant form of energy in the next decades. The most accurate way to compare solar to fossil fuels is by cost, where solar has quickly caught up with its filthy counterparts.

Is solar power cheaper than coal and other fossil fuels?

Comparing the cost of energy sources is not a simple exercise. Government subsidies play a major role in shaping the growth potential for a new power source. This means that making a direct comparison of the costs of solar energy vs. fossil fuels side-by-side is a difficult task. When we compare the cost of solar energy vs. fossil fuels, we have to factor in the subsidies that motivate renewable investment in the United States. In the case of solar power, the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) covers nearly 33 percent of any U.S. solar installation and will do so until 2021 for the residential sector. The commercial sector will retain a permanent ten percent tax credit for solar. Renewable energy skeptics have criticized the ITC for being a costly taxpayer-funded stimulus. The reality is that this short-lived subsidy represents only a tiny amount of the money that U.S. taxpayers are spending each year to subsidize fossil fuels. Without any subsidies, solar is likely the cheapest energy source in the world, as demonstrated by record-low power purchase agreements in countries like the United Arab Emirates and Chile. Solar’s trend in low cost is likely to continue: unlike oil, gas, and coal, and nuclear, solar PV is a technology not a fuel – meaning that its costs will continue to fall every year as research continues and technology improves.

There has never been a better time to install a solar energy 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.