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Let the Sunshine Down on Me (and You): The case for solar power as the solution to global warming

The Quick Facts: As the threat of global warming looms overhead, some scientists speculate that a 2% cut in carbon emissions per year may be enough to stave off the negative impacts predicted to accompany the ensuing climate change. Switching to solar power is one way we might drastically cut our carbon emission output. The technology needed to turn sunlight into solar power is currently available and quickly becoming an affordable option for many homeowners. Read on to learn more about solar power and if it’s right for your family.

The Global Warming Blues
As the notion of climate change settles in for an uncomfortable stay in our modern culture, it may leave you feeling overwhelmed and maybe even a little depressed. You may worry that your new hybrid vehicle and compact florescent light bulbs will never stem the tide of greenhouse gases emitted into our ever polluted environment. We like to call this malaise “the Global Warming Blues.” With all the gloom and doom predicted by the year 2020 (for the low down on global warming see Real Mama’s Spring 2007 Issue article, What’s Hot in 2007? The Earth.), it’s hard to feel positive about the seemingly small changes you may be incorporating into your everyday life to better the environment. Yet, perhaps there is a silver lining to that acid rain cloud looming over your head. According to the Sierra Club, the same scientists that have been ranting about the reality of global warming also say we can curb global warming and its consequences if we cut our carbon emissions 80 percent by the year 2050, or 2 percent per year.

Solar Power as Savior
If the sun is finally starting to poke through that dark cloud, take it as a sign. In fact, solar power is emerging fast as a viable solution to the reduction of carbon emissions. Consider that the sunlight that shines on the Earth in just one hour could meet the world energy demand for a year. Add to it the fact that sunlight is limitless, free and emits no harmful pollutants. Solar energy harnessing holds such promise that the United States Department of Energy (DOE) has launched a $148 million dollar plan to accelerate the development of advanced solar electric technologies. The Solar America Initiative seeks to harness enough solar energy for America by the year 2015 to power 1-2 million homes. In doing so, we will avoid 10 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. On a smaller scale, if the average American home, using approximately 8,900 kilowatt hours of energy a year, switches to solar powered energy, the carbon emissions saved for an average family could be more than half that number. At that rate, cutting emissions by 2 percent, as the Sierra Club recommends, becomes a realistic goal.

Solar Power Basics
Obtaining solar power is surprisingly simple. The sun radiates energy to the Earth. This energy, when harnessed and converted into heat and electricity, is solar power. One of the most efficient ways of harnessing the sun’s energy is through Photovoltaics (PV). PV solar energy harnessing requires large panels, made of semiconductor materials, to be placed on either a home or business in areas that receive direct sunlight. These panels absorb sunlight and convert it into energy. Many PV systems are connected directly to the utility grid so that any electricity generated that is not used may be fed back to the power company for use by other customers.

Current Impediments to Going Solar
So with seemingly simple technology and great benefits why aren’t people standing in line to go solar? Well, there are many reasons. Many people caught up in their busy lives are unaware that solar energy technology is available for everyday consumption. Many consumers still think that those utilizing solar power live in houses segregated from urban areas and off of the main power grid. Those who are aware of its availability are also aware of the cost to implement residential solar energy use. Considerable expense is likely the main reason why Americans have not embraced the shift to solar power. Most estimates place the cost of installing the residential hardware to generate solar energy at about $40,000. There are variations of solar power, such as stand-alone solar heated water tanks, that are not as costly. The higher cost is associated with the connection to the power grid and the ability to sell power back to the power company. Of course, there are a myriad of other reasons why individuals have been slow to embrace solar energy. Where you live or how your home is situated is a key factor in the solar equation. If you live in a cloudy climate or have less than optimal sunlight on your property, solar power (while possible) may not trigger as warm a reception. Others may balk at the aesthetics, or lack thereof, of the solar panels that are needed to absorb the sunlight. In fact, many well-intended individuals report trouble with their neighborhood associations when trying to install their solar panels.

Government and Private Initiatives Are Bringing Solar Power to Reality Soon
But don’t give up on solar power for your home just yet! Sunlight does shine at the end of the solar power tunnel. As mentioned above, the Solar American Initiative seeks to push for advances in solar power technology. By doing so, the program will create a competitive market for solar energy and thereby lower the cost to the consumer. The Solar American Initiative is not the only pro-solar government program in existence. In California, the “Million Solar Roof” legislation (or SB1), which passed in 2006, provides the state with useful tools to bring solar power into the mainstream. The bill increases the amount of consumers who can sell energy back to power companies from excess energy generated from their own solar panels. These individuals receive a credit on their monthly bills, thereby making the initial hardware investment more palatable. SB1 also requires major developers to offer the option of a solar energy system to all customers beginning January 1, 2011.

To warm you even more to the idea of investing in solar power, consider the incentives (ranging from federal tax credits to county rebate programs) available to those Individuals looking to switch to a renewable energy, such as solar power. You can find the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency online and searchable at www.dsireusa.org. Private solar installation companies also extend their own incentives. One such company, Citizenre, promoted by Ed Bagley Jr., plans to offer a service where the company pays for, installs, owns, operates and maintains the solar installation. The costumer does not pay for any up-front costs, but instead pays for the electricity generated from the solar panels, at a fixed rate that is at or below their current electricity price and which may be locked-in for up to 25 years. Since the solar panels are owned by Citizenre, it is Citizenre, not the homeowner that retains the benefit of being able to sell back excess energy produced by the solar panels to the power companies. Citizenre is taking reservations now, but will not be ready to install solar panels until 2008. In this case, it appears that the folks at Citizenre are banking on the sales model of the cell phone: give the phones away free and sell the service. If rates of solar energy use follow the same path as rates of cell phone use, we just might fight our way out of the global warming doomsday scenario that many scientists predict.

Information used in this article was found at the following sources, which you can visit if you want to find out more about this topic:

http://www.irecusa.org (The Interstate Renewable Energy Council is an organization whose mission is to accelerate the use of renewable energy sources and technologies in and through state and local government and community activities.)

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html (A carbon calculator sponsored by the EPA that helps families determine their carbon footprint as well as provides concrete examples of how to reduce carbon emissions.)

http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/energy/million-solar-roofs (For more information regarding The “Million Solar Roof” legislation passed in 2006.)

http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov (For more information on the California Solar Initiative.)

http://www.dsireusa.org (An online searchable database of state Incentives offered to individuals and private companies who utilize renewable energy.)

http://renu.citizenre.com (One of many companies offering solar power technology.)


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