For decades, the world’s most prominent oil companies have predicted a future of crude oil trading in the ‘slippery surface’ markets, with solar power providing the necessary fuel to keep vehicles running. While still relatively expensive, the price of solar energy has plummeted in recent years, which has caused many car manufacturers to reconsider the role that solar energy could play in their products.
Batteries Aren’t Necessary
In the last few years, the price of solar energy has declined by more than 90%, which has made it more convenient and affordable for consumers. As a result, more and more people are realizing the benefits that solar energy can provide, whether you live in a suburban home or a large apartment building. With no storage requirements and zero dependence on the grid, generating your own electricity through solar power is becoming a reality for many.
With increasingly cost-effective solar power options and a rising popularity of electric vehicles, it is clear that the role of solar energy in our electricity mix is changing. In the future, we could see more and more energy generated through solar power than through any other type of power source. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, check out our special report on how to buy a solar power system.
A Future As An Electrical Energy Mix
It’s estimated that, in the next few years, more than 70% of the world’s fleet of vehicles will be electric. This makes sense, as the electric vehicle market has grown considerably in the past few years, spurred on by government policies, such as the UK’s zero-emission vehicle scheme and California’s clean-air vehicle standards. Countries like Germany, France, and China, which have strict fuel-efficiency and emissions standards, have placed a high priority on promoting electric vehicles, which means more investments in this area.
This shift to electrification will have a significant effect on how we use and generate energy. While there will always be a need for fossil fuels in the short term, in the long term, electricity looks set to replace gas and diesel as the preferred mode of fuel delivery, at least for large scale energy generation.
More Than Meets The Eye
The benefits of solar energy go beyond helping to power your home or your office. When the sun shines, it’s often very hot and it can cause major discomfort for those who are not used to it. Those who live in the southern hemisphere know that even when the sun is not directly overhead, its heat can still be problematic. A solar-powered air conditioner can help to provide relief from the heat through the use of reflected sunlight, which heats up the surrounding air as it passes through the machine, resulting in comfortable temperatures inside your home or office.
If you live in a place with extreme temperatures, going solar could have a positive effect on the environment. Instead of relying on expensive, noisy air-conditioning systems, which consume large amounts of energy and are a major source of pollution, you could instead generate your own ‘cool’ air through the use of solar power.
These are just some of the ways that going solar can be beneficial to the environment. We’ve been given a glimpse of the future and, although electric cars and fossil fuels will still be around for the foreseeable future, the world is moving toward a greener energy future, which is great news for our planet. Let’s not forget about the sunshine that brightens up our days, so let’s make the most of it by investing in a solar power system today.