Solar power and reducing pollution

There are many reasons for the transition to solar and other renewable energy sources. Global warming is the most obvious reason for alternative energy interest. Widespread pollution and related health problems are generating a solar energy revolution around the world. For many years, fossil fuel use has been mixed into the fabric of American society. Natural gas, petroleum, and coal together accounted for more than 80 percent of energy use in the United States in 2012. Meanwhile, more than 5 gigawatts of solar power capacity was scheduled to come online in 2013 -- about as much capacity as was added for coal plants over a nearly 20-year span.

Availability of fossil fuels

Fossil fuels are estimated to last another 50 years, according to most estimates. Coal, natural gas and petroleum are all examples of fossil fuels whose energy density is much greater than that of solar energy. Unfortunately, all three forms of fossil fuels must be mined or extracted from under the ground. This is an expensive, and sometimes dangerous, task. But once the fossil fuel is extracted and delivered, it can be used anytime. For example, you can drive your car at 2 a.m. or 2 p.m., or bake a cake at noon or midnight. Solar energy is only available when the sun is shining. Short winter days, cloudy weather and the simple rising and setting of the sun all limit the availability of solar power. To make solar power available at other times you need to have some way of storing the energy. Batteries are the best option currently.

Long-Term outlook for fossil fuels very bleak

Fortunately for the environment, fossil fuels are almost depleted. The gallon of gasoline you burned to get to work took millions of years to make, but you used it in just a few moments. Power from the sun poses no such issues. Solar energy is a renewable resource. If you collect 1,200 watt-hours on Tuesday, you will not reduce the amount of solar energy you can collect on Wednesday. Coal, natural gas and petroleum remains buried in the earth and those fuels will be gone much earlier than the life of the sun.

Emissions are not a problem with solar

Lots of energy is expended in the manufacture of solar energy systems, some toxic compounds are used in their fabrication and large solar farms can disrupt the habitat of their locales, but the environmental impact of solar energy generation is tiny. Fossil fuels can damage the environment during their collection and transport, but even more importantly, fossil fuel combustion produces environmental poisons. In addition, they also produce huge volumes of carbon dioxide, which is a gas that influences the global climate.

Cost is a huge advantage for solar

Solar power is produced in a completely different way from fossil fuel-based power, so it can be challenging to compare the price. Fossil-fuel plants are not as costly per megawatt as solar power systems. Solar power costs more due to the initial cost of installation, but the fuel is free, and the maintenance costs are much lower than for fossil fuel plants. Considering those factors, the basic costs of solar power generation are about two to three times the cost of fossil fuel plants. When you consider distribution costs and local variables, there are some locations where solar energy is already as cheap as fossil-fuel energy -- and solar costs are already falling.

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

If you want to move into the future and join the solar revolution, or if you want to find out what solar panels are right for you,  For more information relating to going solar, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles.

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