We Need Solar Energy Solutions Now… Here’s Why:
Our use of energy globally, to run our cars, heat and cool our homes and charge our hand held devices is expected to increase dramatically over the next 30 years.
A growing percentage of our end-use energy in both residential and commercial sectors is in the form of electricity. Although our energy economy is complex, the solution to moving away from fossil fuels may not be. To begin the transformation, we will need to focus on three simple principles: reduce use, modulate demand, and optimize supply (Lovins et al, 2011). An ever-expanding array of options for new energy supply includes renewable forms of energy.
Solar power is renewable, boundless and carbon free.
There is more energy in the sunlight that strikes the Earth’s surface in an hour than all the fossil fuel energy consumed in one year. Hundreds of corporations, entrepreneurs and university labs are focusing in on reducing the cost of solar photovoltaics (PV), increasing the ease of installation and stepping up global production.
The Solar PV market is an increasingly important and vital part of the American economy.
The capacity of PV installations in 2011 more than doubled compared with 2010 installations. More than 64,000 grid-connected PV installations were completed in 2011, a 30% increase over the number of installations in 2010. There continue to be large increases in both the number and average size of PV installations in the US and the growth has continued through 2012. However, the potential for future growth is equally enormous. Despite exponential growth, the electricity generated by Solar PV installations was only 0.12% of all electricity generation in the US during 2011.
About PES:
Established in 2012, Pickering Energy Solutions is a growth oriented company focused on making renewable energy systems a reality for residential and commercial building owners through direct sales or through a Power Purchase Agreement or Power Leasing arrangement.
About the Author:
Lance McCoy serves as Communications Director for Pickering Energy Solutions. Lance is a green-minded entrepreneur and is a Certified Photovoltaic Site Assessor through MREA.
