Solar Energy Facts
The solar energy facts published by the US Department of Energy indicate that solar power is more affordable, accessible and prevalent in the US than ever before. Since 2008, solar installations in the US have grown seventeen-fold from 1.2 gigawatts (GW) to an estimated 30 GW today, enough to power the equivalent of 5.7 million average American homes. Since 2010, the average cost of solar PV panels has dropped more than 60% and the cost of a solar electric system has dropped by about 50%. National Geographic maintains that solar energy use has surged at about 20 percent a year over the past 15 years, thanks to rapidly falling prices and gains in efficiency.
Our Energy Future
Solar energy is important to our energy future because it is essentially a fuel source that is pollution- and noise-free. The technology is also versatile — it can generate power in the steppes of Mongolia as well as in high density urban centers around the globe. Another factor contributing to the increased use of solar energy is the abundance of this inexhaustible resource — every hour the sun beams more energy on Earth than it needs to satisfy global energy needs for an entire year. Solar energy facts such as these illustrate the importance of solar energy to our collective future.
Solar energy is also proving important to our economy. In addition to becoming an important player in today’s energy market, the solar industry is also helping to stimulate job growth in the US Solar jobs have increased about 123% since November 2010, with nearly 209,000 solar workers in the United States alone. A January 2017 article in Forbes magazine reported that the solar and wind industries are each creating jobs at a rate 12 times faster than that of the rest of the US economy, according to a new report. The study, published by the Environmental Defense Fund’s (EDF) Climate Corps program, says that solar and wind jobs have grown at rates of about 20% annually in recent years, and sustainability now collectively represents four to four and a half million jobs in the US, up from 3.4 million in 2011. Solar energy facts such as these attest to the growth of the solar sector in the US and abroad.
Solar energy and other alternative sources of energy are our future. The solar energy facts are clear — the abundance of solar energy around the globe 24/7 ensures its future as a key resource. Rather than focusing on declining reserves of oil and natural gas, or having to deal with the fluctuations of the global marketplace, both industry and homeowners can now rely on solar energy as a constant and readily available resource. As further technological advances and innovative solutions are developed and deployed to increase the efficiency and drive down the costs of solar energy even more, utilities and consumers will come to rely on solar for their basic power — a shift that is beginning to happen.
For now, the average energy consumer needs information and help to get started. Energy users can find both state and federal resources to both explain and help finance a solar project for both homes and businesses. There is a range of incentives and policies regarding use of solar power that can lead today’s commercial and residential user to increased energy efficiency at reduced costs.
HOW CAN VENTURE SOLAR HELP?
You can check out the resources available on the internet to learn more, but to learn more solar energy facts or to explore solar energy options for your home or business right here in New York, we suggest you contact one of our solar experts at Venture Solar. You need local experts who are knowledgeable about our state policies in New York, including the tax incentives and rebates that can make your solar installation even more cost effective. We can help you assess your energy needs and the potential of your home or business to generate electricity based on an evaluation of your installation site.
Call Venture Solar today (800-203-4158) to find out more about the unlimited potential of solar energy!