The Future of Solar Power

Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 at 10:16 am

Photovoltaic technology has been around for decades, and in that time, such advances have been made that solar power is all but guaranteed to empower our society into the twenty-first century and beyond. With the ability to serve to residential, commercial, and industrial interests alike, solar power efficiency is making leaps and bounds as finite fossil fuels deplete. Having crude oil hit $100 plus a barrel is just the first sign of the changing energy market, and while that number rises and falls every year, such a strain was put on the average consumer in fuel costs during the summer and fall of 2008 that it was a call to arms to develop fuel efficient vehicles and explore alternative energies.

Infinite, Efficient, and Clean

Three main points drive solar power forward into our future. Firstly, solar power is effectively infinite. The sun won’t burn out for billions of years, so we don’t have to worry about looking for an alternative power source if we make the switch to solar energy. It is also reasonably efficient. In years past, solar energy wasn’t a viable alternative economically because of its cost and relative inefficiency, but mass production and further research have produced cheaper, more efficient models of solar power systems for the masses. Solar power is also one hundred percent clean. If we want to preserve and improve the world ecology, we will need to find cleaner sources of energy than coal and oil. Solar, wind, and biofuels are just a few of the examples that we turn to replace the fossil fuels that we use in abundance today.

Other alternative energies have some major drawbacks that don’t make them optimal for every situation and location. Wind energy requires wind, which isn’t always dependable. Also, wind turbines tend to be larger rather than smaller and ugly by aesthetic standards. Scientists still don’t know the full effects of geothermal energy on the earth’s core, although moderation is sure to be safe. Biofuels are directly correlated to the amount of available farmland. Solar power, on the other hand, can be used almost everywhere, even in places with shorter and cloudier days.

If you’re looking to renovate your home or business with solar power, now is the time. No matter the amount of power capacity that you need to install, the entire system will pay for itself in ten years at most with current levels of efficiency. Some systems will even pay for themselves within five if you live in an optimal location.