Solar Energy - Debunking Incorrect Assumptions with Good Sense
We are ever learning and sometimes unlearning; correcting our incorrect assumptions, misconceptions and through the debunking of common myths and misunderstandings. I wrote a post a while back, on the phenomenally marvelous characteristics of timber and the myths and misconceptions of wood destroying organisms. Doing an in-depth study of timber opened my mind to a new appreciation for timber and nature. The world is a fascinating place of discovery that never ceases to astonish, amaze, intrigue and even “Oh, duh!” us in one way or another. Today, I learned something new…
During the course of my classroom school years, I was taught that humans had five senses. I just recently discovered that humans have more than five senses. We have been endowed with at least nine senses, and some researchers claim there are even more. Having more than five senses was one of those “Oh, duh”, moments for me when I saw things such as thirst and hunger on the list of senses.
Some of the other senses listed, I also already knew I had. Yet, because they hadn’t been categorized for me separately from my “traditional five senses” I didn’t really think about them as part of my “five” senses. For example, the thermoception, our sense of heat and cold or the equilibrioception, our sense of balance, direction, acceleration, equilibrium and body movement; which both add to the seventeen to twenty-one or so senses claimed by modern researchers.
I am quite happy to now know that I have more sense than I thought I had. Now, to debunk some misconceptions in regards to renewable energy through the use of solar panels and why solar panels make good sense.
Poolside ShadeScape™ Pavilion with Solar Panels
Assumption: Solar is expensive used only in a small part in the energy market and is only good to power an off the grid home as solar companies are bankrupt.
Truth: The cost of solar is dropping as solar is expanding fast as a smart business investment. There are millions of homeowners who enjoy the benefits of solar energy.
ShadeScape™ Pergola Kit Plan with Solar Panels
The United States installed over 1300 megawatts of solar photovoltaics, over 16 gigawatts of PV capacity and 1.4 gigawatts of concentrated solar power which is enough to power 3.5 million homes. The total installed reached over three times the energy market size just three years ago. Source: SEIA – U.S. Solar Market Insight
From Washington DC, The Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) reported in the U.S. Solar Market Insight that Utah’s residential solar installations equaled in one quarter the amount installed last year with six times the energy capacity of 2013! Utah’s solar industry is rapidly increasing in a significant way.
Source: SEIA
The state of Georgia was the fastest growing in the solar industry in 2013, over nine times it had in the previous year. In 2013 there was enough energy powered from solar to service several thousand homes. Georgia has over 167 solar companies.
Source: SEIA
Reported in June of 2014, value investor, Warren Buffet dove head first investing $15 billion into America’s solar and wind renewable energy projects and sees double that amount over the course of the next few years.
Source: Investor Place
Wallgreens had 150 stores with solar systems installed and in June of 2013 Walgreens made public that another 200 of their Wallgreen stores will install solar systems. They expect this will offset the CO2 emissions from electricity that would be used in 1,400 homes this year.
Source: The Solar Tribue and The Chicago TribuneIn 2014, a Walgreens located in Evanston, Illinois is said to be the first “Net Zero” energy store, including some alternative energy features of wind turbines and geothermal wells. The excess energy generated will be sold to local utility companies.
Source: Graycor Inc.In May of 2013 IKEA announced that over 85% of its stores have solar panels. The new system in Stoughton, Massachusetts they say will produce approximately 695,000 kWh of renewable, clean energy yearly, enough to power 60 homes. Source: The Solar Tribune
Car Stalls with Solar Panels
Solar is also renewable and a cleaner source of energy.
In 2013, it was announced that IKEA has now 39 out of its 44 stores using solar power beating Costco and the Kohl’s Departments stores to being the second private largest producer using the solar power within the U.S. Walmart is presently the first.
Source: TriplePundit
Since the year 2008, photovoltaic solar panels have dropped in cost 75%. Source: EFC
Google, Inc. is investing $157,000,000 and Scatec Solar ASA, a Norwegian developer, is investing $188,000,000 to build a solar power plant in Parowan, Utah. Source: Business Week
An Arizona utility company signed a 21-year contract that is worth approximately $65,000,000 with Sustainable Power Group to supply power from its solar farm.
Source: New Energy Finance
And the list goes on and on. It only makes sense that solar is a good investment for investors and for homeowners.
If you would like to learn more about the future of solar check out:
A renewable, sustainable, timber frame ShadeScape™ kit is the perfect marriage with solar panels, giving access to the sun while utilizing every inch of valuable property space.
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