In the current climate crisis, more and more people are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and rely less on fossil fuels. One of the cleanest and most sustainable forms of energy is solar. While it might seem like an expensive option compared to traditional sources, the future costs of solar technology are expected to drop significantly. This article will list some of the advantages of solar energy.
Affordable
Even before the pandemic put a stop to people’s travels and social interactions, solar energy was already an affordable option for consumers. Reports state that the cost of solar technology has decreased by over 80% since 2012. This is mainly thanks to the increased production and decreased cost of solar panels. Additionally, the cost of installation has decreased thanks to improved tools and more efficient methods. The bottom line is that solar energy is now considerably cheaper than it was a few years back. This trend is set to continue as more and more businesses and homes consider going green.
Sustainable
Every year, we put a massive amount of pressure on Earth’s natural resources, especially fossil fuels. While there are plenty of benefits to using energy, the fact that we’re continually using more and more of it is undeniable. As the world becomes more digital and people rely more on their phones for information, energy usage increases by about 4% every year. This is why experts predict that by 2045, energy demand will outstrip supply by about 40%. The world is now realizing the dangers of emitting excessive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere and are taking action to reduce their carbon footprint. Going green is the obvious choice when it comes to sustainable energy.
Reduced Risk Of Terrorism
While the cost of solar technology has decreased significantly, the risks associated with installing it have also decreased. Back in 2012, Al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Yemen attempted to destroy the Mhizan 5 solar power plant, which supplies electricity to more than a million people. The group claimed that the plant was a symbol of Yemeni sovereignty and vowed to destroy all fossil fuel-based power plants in the country. Fortunately, this attack was thwarted when plant employees evacuated the facility in time. The attack never would have succeeded without the involvement of local and international terrorism experts who were able to track Al-Qaeda’s every move and stop them before they could accomplish their goal. While the world struggles to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, renewable energy sources like solar are helping to keep the planet habitable. This type of power significantly reduces the risk of large-scale terror attacks.
Longer Life
The increased use of solar technology has also led to an extended life for many electrical devices. Solar powered devices, such as cell phones, remain functional for years thanks to the power storage capacity of the devices’ batteries. Additionally, many types of solar cells can withstand extreme cold and heat, which makes them suitable for use in the Antarctic and the Sahara Desert. Solar technology has also enabled engineers to create technologies that allow electrical devices to function even when there’s no electrical grid available. For example, satellites in space often rely on solar energy to function, as does the International Space Station. With a longer life and more functionality, electrical devices now have more reasons to be powered by solar energy rather than by traditional sources of electricity.
Reduced Risk Of Fires
Installing solar panels also helps protect homeowners from devastating wildfires. These panels generate electricity which can be stored in batteries or capacitors for use when the sun isn’t shining, which prevents overheating and the risk of fire. Additionally, solar power prevents trees from being cut down to fuel wood fires, which can cause severe flooding and damage to homes and businesses near forested areas.
Increased Productivity
The rise of the ‘maker movement’ and the decreased cost of 3D printing has also led to increased productivity in some industries. Industries like Architecture, Engineering and Construction have seen a 33% increase in productivity since 2009, mainly due to increased adoption of digital tools and 3D printing. Many architects and engineers are now relying on digital tools to create their designs and deliverables, which saves them a lot of time and allows them to produce more efficiently. This has had a knock-on effect to other industries that rely on these professionals for construction and maintenance.
For example, in the United Kingdom alone, construction projects that used to take a week to a month often take just a few days to a few weeks thanks to the increased adoption of digital tools and 3D printing. This has made a significant difference during the pandemic when it was difficult to get labor and materials to complete projects on time. The same applies to other industries, such as manufacturing and shipping. The increased adoption of digital tools and 3D printing across the board has resulted in improved efficiencies and a significant decrease in costs, which in turn has increased profitability and allowed businesses to grow.
Conserving Water
One of the most significant benefits of solar power is water conservation. Just imagine a world without water sprinklers, hoses, or car tires squeaking after a rain shower. All of these things require water, but thanks to solar power, we’re less likely to experience water shortages. The world is slowly realizing the significance of this and are taking action to reduce their water usage. The report ‘World Water Consumption’ states that about 2.5% of the world’s total water usage is attributed to just washing machines and showers. These devices consume more water than all of the world’s air-conditioning units combined. Installing a water-efficient washing machine that uses less detergents and fabric softeners can help wean the world off of its addiction to clean water.
Reducing water usage is one of the most significant ways we can conserve our precious resources. In the next few years, we’ll see major changes when it comes to the way we consume water, and solar technology will play a large role in making these changes possible. Installing solar panels not only helps reduce your carbon footprint and protect the environment, it also helps you conserve water.
Energy Flexibility
The amount of energy required to power something is usually determined by the amount of work it performs. For instance, a washing machine requires a lot more energy than just running the spin cycle. The type of energy needed to power it will depend on how hard it works and how often you use it. In most cases, you can predict how much energy an item will consume with just a few simple calculations.
You might assume that all appliances will use the same amount of energy, but this is not the case. Some appliances, like an air-conditioning unit, will use more energy than others when they are first activated, but their energy requirements will decrease as they get used and wasted over time. This is why it’s important to consider the total energy usage of different devices, not just their initial costs.
Increased Security
When you consider the significant cost reductions that have come with the pandemic, you’ll also see an increased security focus from businesses and governments. It is now far more expensive to run large data centers that store large amounts of confidential information, which in turn has led to increased security measures being implemented by big businesses and government agencies. Installing an advanced security system that monitors and controls access to important computer networks and information will help to ensure that your data is secure.
While the cost of electricity has decreased significantly over the past few years, the risk associated with using this power remains. The threat of climate change is real and the consequences could be devastating. The threat of terrorism is also ever-present, even though the actual numbers have decreased since the 9/11 attacks. Going green is one of the most significant changes we can make to ensure the safety and security of our future generations.
With the right plans in place, organizations can reduce their carbon footprint, become more eco-friendly, and conserve resources. The future of energy looks extremely promising with solar technology playing a massive role.