The advantages of solar over fossil fuels

The world is tiring of the influences of climate change, which are principally created by man burning fossil fuels without limitation. Solar power is a much more responsible way of powering our world than fossil fuels. Continuing to burn fossil fuels when we know what they do to all living things, borders on the criminal. We now have renewable energy sources like solar that are ready to take the place of fossil fuels. An effective way to compare solar energy to fossil fuels is by cost, where solar has swiftly caught up with its non-renewable counterparts. But fossil fuels are nearly gone and the time has come to assure lawmakers that drilling for fossil fuels in sensitive areas is a huge environmental hazard the earth cannot afford.

Solar power is aggressive on price

There are several factors to consider when comparing the costs of energy sources. Government subsidies play a meaningful role in starting the growth potential for a new power source, which means that making a contrast to the costs of solar power vs. fossil fuels side-by-side is a difficult task. Europe is ahead of the United States in renewable energy.

Who is the largest donor to fossil fuel subsidies in the world? Regrettably, the United States has continued to subsidize fossil fuels at a higher rate than any other nation in the world. In the near term, American energy will continue on its same path of heavy fossil fuel subsidization. That's because of an administration that is totally corrupt and in the pockets of big energy conglomerates.

How energy subsidies play the greatest role

Comparing the cost of solar energy vs. fossil fuels, we have to consider the subsidies that are holding prices relatively low. In the case of solar power, the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) currently comprises 30 percent of any U.S. solar installation and will do so until 2021 for the residential sector. The commercial sector will maintain a permanent ten percent tax credit for solar power.

Global warming deniers have reprimanded the ITC for being a costly taxpayer-funded incentive. The fact is that this short-lived subsidy represents only a small portion of the money that U.S. taxpayers spend each year to support fossil fuels. Without any support, solar is likely the cheapest energy source in the world, as demonstrated by record-low power purchase contracts in countries like the United Arab Emirates and Chile. Solar’s low-cost way is likely to continue: unlike oil, gas, and coal, solar PV is a technology, not a fuel – meaning that its prices will continue to decrease every year as research proceeds and technology advances.

The best way to compare solar energy and fossil fuels without subsidies is to examine global energy prices. Global coal prices have historically averaged $0.06 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Until the past decade, no alternative energy resource could rival that price. Fossil fuel steam averages about $0.05 cents/kWh and small-scale natural gas can go as low as $0.03 cents/kWh. It’s no wonder that the world was so surprised in 2016 when a major commercial solar installation bid the lowest price for PV to date at $0.029 cents per kWh – effectively leveling the playing field between solar and fossil fuels’ competitive products.

Now is a great time to install a solar energy system! With the prices of solar panels remaining low, there are more reasons than ever before to invest in solar. Not only do you get to generate your own energy, but you also get the peace of mind of knowing you are no longer adding to global warming.

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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