Google Launches Largest Solar Project

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With climate change now an ostensible fact to all but the most staunch nay Sayers, and the cost of fossil fuels steadily increasing as their limited availability becomes more readily apparent, people are turning to renewable energy. One particular renewable energy resource that is turning heads and earning almost universal nods of approval as a viable energy alternative is solar power. Thanks to monumental leaps in the cost and efficiency of this technology, it is now one of the most prominent—if not the most prominent—future resource for renewable energy in the US.

One company that is joining in on the solar revolution in a big way is Google. And we don’t mean that they are simply adding a few solar panels to their offices either. The world’s largest search engine and video sharing entity is bringing solar power to other people on a very large scale.

What amazing thing did Google do this time?

Google (which spent a grand total of $400 million on renewable energy in the US last year alone) recently invested in$168 million into the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generation Station, which is located in the middle of the desert on the border of California and Nevada. The project that developed the Ivanpah power station, which is widely considered to be the largest solar panel project in the world, has resulted in a massive solar power plant that contains 347 thousand software controlled, rotating mirrors, covers 3,500 acres of land and is capable of powering about 140,000 homes.

What makes the Ivanpah power station amazing, however, is not just its scale, but also how it produces electricity. Most electricity suppliers in the US are connected to solar panel systems that deliver electricity directly from the panels themselves; these are known as photovoltaic solar panel systems. While this works, it will not be the most efficient method of transitioning to solar. For many years, fossil fuels and nuclear power plants have been used to superheat water so that it can power turbines that deliver electricity to the masses. The Ivanpah power station emulates this capability with its solar panels; this is known as a solar thermal system. Having more solar panel systems with this capability will make transitioning to solar much easier for many steam powered generators.

Is a solar thermal solar panel system really better than a traditional photovoltaic one?

Not really. As of right now, photovoltaic solar panel systems are much more efficient than solar thermal systems—and this disparity is expected to expand as time passes. The key, however, with solar power stations like the one at Ivanpah will lie in the fact that they will streamline transitions to solar for communities that are heavily invested in coal or natural gas steam turbine power systems. Also, as home solar panel use continues to expand, solar thermal can be combined wih photovoltaic as a home water heating element.

In atypical Google style, the search engine giant is a silent partner. The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generation Station is co-owned by Connecticut electric suppliers Bright Source Energy and DE electricity supplier NRG Energy. The $168 million dollar Google investment was used to supplement the 1.6 billon dollars in federal government loans to fully finance the project.

Google is neither beginning nor ending their efforts to bring more renewable energy to the masses at Ivanpah

The $400 million that Google spent last year on renewable energy in the US went towards a total of six power plants in California and Arizona. This investment makes Google the only massive company outside of the energy industry to make serious investments in our nation’s solar infrastructure outside of their own facilities.

They aren’t stopping there either. Google is also taking solar power straight to peoples’ homes. They are doing so by providing families with solar panel systems in their houses. So far, Google has added solar panels to over 3,000 homes throughout the country.

In total, Google has invested over a billion dollars in renewable energy like solar power.

Google believes that renewable energy in the US can replace fossil fuels very soon. As such, we can expect to see them make many more major investments into solar, wind, hydropower and other safe, efficient and reliable renewable energy resources.

The Move Towards Solar

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Connecticut has some of the highest energy rates in the country, and the government is acting to change this. One of the most poignant of all the actions that they have taken involves harnessing the power of the sun. Solar power, which was once an inefficient pipe dream, is now one of the best—if not the best—renewable energy solution.

                                    

It is so viable as an alternative energy source that the move towards solar is drastically dropping electric rates in CT for those who are taking advantage of it. You should be taking advantage of this unlimited resource in order to keep your money out of the pockets of Connecticut electric suppliers. Below are some ways that you can make the move towards solar—with or without the government’s help.

Buy a solar panel system outright

This is the most direct way to transition to a solar powered lifestyle. You can buy your own solar panel system and have it installed at any time. Doing so yields huge tax benefits and instantly cuts your energy bill for your home or business to zero dollars. The Connecticut electric suppliers won’t like it much, but your pockets will love it in the long run. Also, keep in mind that the federal government will cover up to 30 percent of your solar panel system until 2016, regardless of the total amount that it cost you to have it installed.

Lease a solar panel system

Despite the sharp decline in solar panel prices, getting them installed is still an expensive endeavor—even with Uncle Sam footing nearly a third of the total cost. That is why the state of Connecticut has a solar lease program. With this, you can lease your solar panel system in much the same way you would do a car. The CT Solar Lease program also includes a zero down option for those who don’t want to make a big upfront payment.

The CT Solar Lease program doesn’t just free you from the burden of having to worry about paying Connecticut electric suppliers either. As a part of the program, you can also lease a solar hot water system that will make your home truly energy independent.

Get subsidies to help cover the cost of your solar panel system

Uncle Sam isn’t the only one who will help you buy a solar panel system for your home. The state of Connecticut has a Residential Solar Investment program that can drive the upfront cost of getting solar panels installed onto your roof into the ground.

How much of the upfront cost the state helps you pay for is determined by several variables, including the basic design characteristics of the solar panel system and whether or not the major components were manufactured in CT. The design characteristics, which the state refers to as a “design factor,” must be greater than or equal to 87 percent. Having major parts that were made in Connecticut grants you an additional five percent bonus in cost reduction.

You still get the 30 percent federal government cost reduction with this program by the way.

Find the Connecticut electric suppliers that provide solar power

If you would prefer not to have solar panels installed on the roof of your home or office building, you don’t have to. In fact, you can avoid having a set of solar panels of your own while still taking advantage of the solar revolution that is poised to turn the Connecticut energy market on its head. You can do this by signing up for one of the Connecticut electric suppliers that solely relies on green energy resources to produce their power. Most of these companies rely heavily on solar power to deliver energy to their customers—and being 100 percent green, the other resources that they use to generate energy won’t be so bad either. Using the power services of these companies has worked well for businesses and residents in Connecticut as electric rates have dropped dramatically for them.

How do I sign up for a100 percent renewable electric supplier?

It may seem hard to sift through all of the suppliers and options to find Connecticut electric suppliers that provide 100 percent renewable energy, there is a company that makes it easy for you. Thanks to Make the Switch USA, you can easily view a listing of all of the electric suppliers in your area, their rates, switching incentives and renewable energy options.

You can become a part of the solar revolution

The move towards solar is an inevitable journey. The only question is when you are going to join.

Source:- http://www.interestingarticles.com/electronics/the-move-towards-solar-20581.html

Could Solar energy Take Over?

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For well over a century, residential and business energy users have been beholden to the power grid—and more importantly, the monolithic entities that control them—for all of their electricity needs. Thanks to the power of the sun, however, this is about to change. The solar power takeover is close at hand, and it will be here faster than you think, and from California to Connecticut, electric suppliers are terrified of the consequences.

Why solar?

There are many renewable energy resources other than solar power (wind, hydropower, biofuel, natural gas, etc.). There are no energy resources, however, that match the combination of abundance, cleanliness and raw power of solar energy. Since the sun is everywhere and absorbing its energy has absolutely no impact on the environment, there can be no argument against efficient solar technology by any group, including the electric companies in PA where 68 million tons of coal—by far our dirtiest source of energy and 56 percent of the state’s energy production—are produced each year.

The ability to harness solar power has existed for over a century. What is making it such a game changer now?

Better technology

Since its invention, the biggest problem with solar power technology has been its level of efficiency. It was so expensive to make and inefficient that few would reap any palpable benefits from its use and even fewer could afford it in the first place.

Over the past decade, two important things have happened to push solar technology forward. First, the photovoltaic solar cells themselves have experienced a massive improvement in efficiency and cost effectiveness. Second, thanks to efforts across all industries (not least of all the auto industry and their electric vehicles) the lithium-ion batteries that store and disperse the energy absorbed by the solar cells have become dramatically more efficient. To put things in perspective, this technology is now so efficient that a single day’s worth of solar energy could power the entire world for over a decade.

Solar technology is evolving beyond basic panels as well: cells are becoming so advanced that solar power technology is rapidly drifting into the realm of science fiction. For example, spray-on solar cells now exist and scientists are developing them for commercial use.

Government involvement

The US federal government and many state governments are stepping into the fray. Government programs are popping up like weeds; many of them involve helping consumers install their own solar panel system in a cost-effective manner. For example, in Connecticut—a state which has made many leaps towards solar energy in recent years—there is a program that allows traditional electric companies in CT to participate in their solar consumer assistance programs. In states like NJ, electric suppliers are required to use at least a certain percentage of renewable energy—solar is at the top of this list.

This solar invasion sounds great for everyone. Why are power companies so scared?

The answer to that question is simple: in the US, energy companies make over 100 billion dollars every year and they don’t want to give it up. Although they stand to make some profits from a solar nation, what they could make pales in comparison to the revenue they bring in now.

If they are so scared, why aren’t power companies doing anything?

They are. Solar is surrounding them and they are forced to take action regardless of whether they want to or not.  Some profit hungry energy companies are openly warring with solar, however, we know who will win. North Carolina’s Duke Energy, for example is claiming that solar users aren’t paying their fair share. On the other hand, some power companies are taking the smarter route: NJ electric suppliers NRG and PSE&G, for example, are actually selling their customers solar units.  At this point, it is time that the utilities all recognize the lead that solar is about to take and join in the revolution.

Can I take advantage of solar power now?

Yes. There are many programs that allow you to take advantage of environmental and economic benefits of solar power right now. For example, in CT Electric Rates are being completely replaced with home and business solar panel system leases. Also, there are many electric companies in PA that exclusively use renewable energy (including solar) to generate power.

For the latter option, it can be difficult to find a renewable electric supplier in your area if you don’t know where to look. Fortunately, there are entities that can help. Make the Switch USA, for example, provides you with a full listing of electric companies in PA, NJ and CT that explicitly details how much renewable energy they use.

Blog Source:- http://maketheswitchusa.wordpress.com/2014/08/13/could-solar-energy-take-over/