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 by John Washburn
Energy conservation is on everyone’s mind today, and solar, wind, ocean tides, geothermal, and other forms of renewable energy are hot topics of conversation everywhere we go. Solar panels on a roof are becoming an everyday sight in America, and nowhere is this more common than in the state of California.
Countless residents of the Golden State are substantially reducing their energy costs through the use of solar panels that generate electricity. In essence, these people have purchased their own ecologically friendly power plant that allows them to play an important role in a worldwide movement to promote energy conservation.
Consider the Possibility of Going Off-Grid
In some parts of California, residential electric rates have increased by a staggering 30-60% in a single year, and experts predict future increases that will continue to outpace inflation. For many people these energy costs are unsustainable, and a number of individuals have made the investment in a pollution free, solar power installation that allows them to be independent of their electric utility—going “off grid” is the term that describes this very green initiative.
State and Federal Governments Will Subsidize Your Solar Power Investment to Increase Energy Conservation
The state of California, through its California Solar Initiative (CSI), offers a significant cash rebate that will typically pay for 20-30% of the upfront costs of a residential or commercial solar power installation, and the federal government offers a tax credit of up to $2,000.00 for similar initiatives. Ironically enough, it has been noted that, as enrollment in these programs increases, cash rebate and tax incentive rewards from the government have been decreased.
Turn Your Electric Meter Back to Zero and Below
When your solar panels are producing more electricity than you need, the wheel on your electric meter will actually spin in reverse, and your utility company will credit you at the same rate billed if the wheel had been turning in their favor. This is exciting news for many home and business owners who understand the urgent need to go green—what better incentive than to say goodbye to their electric bill.
Space Age Reliability of Solar Power Systems
Before man first ventured into space, it was clear that a highly reliable source of energy would be required to power a variety of space exploration needs over long periods of time. Solar power was the obvious solution and photovoltaic (electricity producing) cells were developed for extensive use in all manned and unmanned space flight. Space exploration applications require the utmost in reliability, and as a result, solar technology today gives us sun powered systems that remain nearly maintenance free for 25-40 years.
Going Green is no Longer Optional
The experts have finally come to agree that the burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity creates greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change. Climate change can have catastrophic consequences that, even today, are not fully understood, but what is understood is that solar power is an excellent alternative to fossil fuel consumption. Widespread and worldwide utilization of solar power technology could have a dramatic and positive effect on the critical problem of global warming while simultaneously decreasing our dependence on foreign oil.
The facts and figures are convincing: a typical 2.5 Kw residential solar power installation can reduce greenhouse gasses the equivalent amount of planting an acre of trees. As another example, the above solar initiative would be equal to the yearly elimination of the harmful emissions produced by an automobile driven nearly 8,000 miles. Solar panels equal energy conservation, and as we head into an uncertain energy and ecological future, cleaner and greener energy is clearly the better way.
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