Solar power and overcoming pollution

There are many incentives 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 obstacles are generating a solar energy revolution around the world. For many years, fossil fuel use has been incorporated 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 slated 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 is limited

Fossil fuels are expected to last another 50 years, according to most calculations. Coal, natural gas and petroleum are all examples of fossil fuels whose energy density is much larger than that of solar energy. Unfortunately, all three kinds of fossil fuels must be mined or extracted from under the ground. This is an expensive, and sometimes dangerous, job. But once the fossil fuel is extricated 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 accessible when the sun is shining unless solar batteries are utilized. Short winter days, cloudy weather and the simple rising and setting of the sun all restrict the availability of solar power. To make solar power possible 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 severe

Fortunately for the environment, fossil fuels are almost spent. The gallon of gasoline you burned to get to work took millions of years to make, but you burned it in just a few moments. Power from the sun poses no such concerns. 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

Some 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 small. Fossil fuels can harm the environment during their collection and transport, but even more importantly, fossil fuel combustion creates environmental poisons. In addition, they also produce huge amounts of carbon dioxide, which is a gas that affects the global climate.

Cost is a huge advantage for solar power

Solar power is produced in a completely different form from fossil fuel-based power so it can be challenging to compare the price. Fossil-fuel plants are not as expensive 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 primary costs of solar power generation are about two to three times the cost of fossil fuel plants. When you consider distribution charges 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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