It’s amazing to have the privilege to live in an era where we are now on the brink of making an enormous push towards green energy. Even within our lifetime, thus far, we see countries recognizing climate change, industries reaching maturity in solar, electric, and wind, and a higher awareness about personal impact on the environment.
Solar energy has been an interest of mine over the past decade due to the several advancements for business and consumers. Solar cell efficiency has increased year after year; the hard work of scientists and industry, along with consumer demand, will certainly turn solar into a major player in the future of energy markets.
Here are some of those advances that I feel would excite you as it does with me:
Costs
The costs immediately come to mind for personal housing or businesses since, by default, these locations are tied to the energy grid. Advancements in the production of solar cells and panels have driven the cost of solar energy from $76.67/watt in 1977 down to an average $0.26/watt in mid-2016. The demand and quantity of companies which have solar panels for sale have increased exponentially with each passing year. As this trend continues, we will see the savings follow suit.
Form Factors
Earlier models of solar panels were big and bulky. Solar panels, like computer chips and hardware, benefitted from developments which allowed them to become smaller and more efficient – what we like to call Moore’s Law. The advancement in form factors has greatly influenced the developments of solar. Demand for smaller form factors to fit physical locations encouraged greater efficiency along with design. Solar panels, today, are stylish enough to fit any number of locations while keeping the same theme and feel.
Acceptance
The traditional energy industries, such as coal, oil, and nuclear, have always been a dominant power because of lobbying. Solar and other forms of green energy had been laid to the wayside for decades because they have been growing in popularity and competition. Nowadays, people are aware of the alternatives when they turn on their news, talk with their political representatives, and even see the breakdown of their energy bills. The public has accepted that solar energy has a viable future and that they are willing to invest into the technology directly or through subsidies.
Building Blocks
Advancements in solar energy are especially interesting when we see them in terms of other industries testing new theories and practices. Solar has become a building block when paired with advancements in other industries. For example, we are now developing flexible solar cells. Other examples include using solar to super heat water as part of the energy creation process. Mega industries have sprung from battery technology, such as Tesla’s ‘Solar City’, that will further strengthen the solar imitative. All around it’s amazing how it’s a part of a building block for so much more when combined with new and exciting technologies.
It’s exciting to see how the world is changing around us for the best, isn’t it? These advancements we’re seeing in solar energy already show their promise and they’ll only get better as time goes on.
Imagine one day when we’re no longer destroying our world for resources. A world in which we’re able to provide clean energy for everyone: It’s going to happen sooner or later so we may as well start now. Yes, there is an up-front investment but it pays off in the end.
Article Submitted By Community Writer