Whenever I'm at a cocktail party discussing solar energy, I'm amazed (and I guess I shouldn't be by now) how little people know about solar energy. Everyone is talking about going green. People are aware of the climatic changes the world has experienced in the last few years and we know that's because of global warming, yet what are we doing about it?
A simple act like changing your light bulbs to compact fluorescent can make a difference. They use about 25% of the energy used by incandescent bulbs and they last six times longer.
Many people don't realize that the electricity that you use is generated by the burning of coal and natural gas. This process is a major contributor to the greenhouse gases causing global warming. If we can reduce the electric company's load, then we are reducing the noxious fumes that are damaging the planet.
If you own a home or business, you can make a significant difference both environmentally and financially by installing solar energy. Now what does that mean? You can put panels on your roof that convert the energy of the sun into electricity that can power your entire home or office. A properly designed system will generate a little less than your total years use of electricity. Since you can't generate more than you use and sell the difference to the utility company it makes sense to generate about 95% of your yearly usage. During the day, your solar electric system is generating all the electricity you need and more. Any excess electricity spins your meter backwards and adds additional power to the utility grid thereby reducing the need during peak energy consumption periods for the utility company to initiate rolling blackouts or increase capacity (and increase pollution). At night, when your solar panels are not generating electricity, you draw the power from the utility and use the extra energy that was generated during the day. Another benefit is that by converting to "time of use" billing where peak usage is more expensive and off-peak is cheaper, you are "selling" power to the utility company at peak periods and at a higher rate and using the cheaper off-peak energy in the evening.
Another issue that you think you have no control over is the rising cost of electricity. Where I live in southern California, my electric company raised my rates several times last year for a total of 15% increase. When you use the analogy of installing solar energy is like the difference between renting and buying a house, you realize that it makes financial sense to go solar. The landlord (the electric company) keeps raising the rent with no end in site. When I go solar, I've locked in the cost for electricity for as long as I own the house. Solar panels have a life expectancy of 30 to 40 years. If I sell my home, the solar system adds to the resale value of my home and I may possibly get most of the cost of the system back when I sell. In any event I'm making a significant environmental impact.
As an added incentive, many states are offering rebates for solar energy. In California, the state is giving about 30% of the cost back as a rebate. For the incentives in your state, check out this website http://www.dsireusa.org/. The federal government is kicking in an additional $2,000. It may not be a lot, but every little bit helps.
I look forward to the day when I see solar panels on everyone's rooftops.
