Why Solar?

The merits of solar energy can be consolidated into three main categories; the envronment, the economy, and sustainable energy independence. Below, we have presented the basic tenets of PV system proponents.

Reduced Pollution and Global Warming

Currently, electric power generation prduces 36% of Carbon Dioxide emissions in this country. A large part of this comes from polluting sources such as coal, wood, and nuclear power. PV can reduce both the immediate pollution from consumption and the degradation from the initial resource extraction. This would have a beneficial impact on our quality of life as cleaner air would reduce incidences of asthma and allergies and contribute to climatic stability. Areas of resource extraction would remain intact and less effort would be needed to deal with the byproducts of power generation. In the long run, plants, animals, and the environment as a whole will benefit from our actions.

Increase in Local Power and Energy Independence

One third of the electricty generated by current methods is lost in resistance in the lines of distribution. Utilities have difficulty meeting energy demands in urban areas, leading to local brownouts and a poorer quality of electricity. Local power generation by PV installations on neighborhood buildings would deliver better quality power in a more efficient manner, resulting in reduced brownouts and possibly electricity during blackouts. As we increase the number of installations, we approach this ideal for energy independence and a brighter future.

A Solar Economy

The production, installation, and maintenance of PV systems require a trained work force. In the current domestic economy, the availability of quality employment is a significant concern to many people. The increase of PV installations would create work opportunities for potentially thousands of people throughout the country while lowering the cost of system components.

The reduced cost of PV systems can be seen in the evolution of the solar industry and the change in selling price of the electricity generated. The PV industry has been growing by almost 20% per year on average over the past 10 years while the price of systems has dropped by almost 10% per year. With a more organized effort, we can accelerate this pattern and at the same time make a difference in our economy.