Even Oil Workers Know: Solar Power is the Future

/0 Comments/in /by

For as long as it has been around, fossil fuels have been the world’s most constant source of energy. That is however, until the recent emergence of solar power. This form of energy has slowly gained steam and is threatening to topple fossil fuels as top dog. It has created such a convincing case that even oil workers have started to take notice, and for good reason too!

The Proof is in the (Solar) Power

In a recent article on Forbes.com, a oil worker stated he believed that solar power is becoming so predominant for three different reasons. One of them being that the technology for it is getting better and cheaper as time goes on. This is important because any technology that is too expensive struggles to be relevant because it won’t be very accessible to the masses. Another reason he sees it on the rise is because support for it has been very steady and showed no signs of wavering. Also, many sun rich countries around world are starting to invest more in to it to make it a substantial form of power them and their people. In addition numerous agencies have claimed this energy source is only going to continue to grow, showing no signs of slowing down.

GR Solar Solutions is a solar company offering the designing and installation of many solar systems for homes and businesses. No matter what you are looking for, we will work with you to meet all of your solar needs. For more information on our products, feel free to contact us today!

Solar Power Is Gaining Traction Around the Globe

/0 Comments/in , /by

Solar energy has been a growing market within the U.S. for some time now. In fact, according to SEIA’s U.S. Solar Market Insight for Q1 2015 (released in June), residential installations grew 76% compared to Q1 2014. Additionally, non-residential and utility solar PV installations continue to grow.  Recognizing the need for alternative energies, the United States is well on its way to becoming more energy efficient and the trend is a growing global trend.

China, for example, is now considered to not only be the manufacturing hub for solar photo voltaic panels, but also the fastest growing market for energy over the next five years, according to a Nasdaq article.

As the world’s largest consumer of coal, China is also the world’s largest emitter of carbon. This concentrated effort to become more energy efficient and to consciously reduce of the amount of greenhouse gas emitted as a country is huge. And the amount of investment into renewable energies is also huge. China’s renewable energy market is valued at $89.5 billion, making it the largest in the world.

In their effort to reduce their carbon emissions, China will soon begin construction on — yep you guessed it — the world’s largest solar power plant. Spread across 10 square miles in the Gobi desert, the solar plant will have the capacity to power nearly one million households.

When the solar power plant is commissioned, it will help decreases coal consumption by about 4.26 million tons per year. It will also reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide emissions by 896,000 tons and 8,080 tons, respectively.

If you’d like to read the full article, you can do so here.

The Cost of Solar Panels Continue to Fall

/0 Comments/in /by

With the presidential campaign heating up (although it’s still a ways away!), there’s been a lot of talk about the middle class, working people, and income. Many are saying that the country is split into two, between the haves and the have-nots. The statistics, unfortunately, backs this up to an extent; income for working people has stagnated since the 80s or, in the worst case scenario, declined rapidly altogether. It’s certainly a disheartening state of affairs, but not all is lost; solar energy is poised to even out the playing field a little bit. It seems like the sun will once again become the working person’s best friend.

According to the Billings Gazette, “Because the cost of solar panels has fallen dramatically in recent years, they are reaching parity with utility rates in Montana and are below it in many areas of the country. Costs are expected to continue to fall. This could help working people a lot – if the barriers to fair access to the grid for net metering and community solar projects were removed.

”This is especially the case when it comes to net metering, which means that although there are solar panels on your roof, you are still connected to the grid. This helps manage your meter and decreases the money you spend. When you purchase a solar system, you are revolutionizing your entire income for the better; there will be no frivolous utility costs. In the long run, a solar system will improve your life for the better and for the working class, this is a much-needed boost to fiscal happiness. It’s funny to think that the sun is the most democratic object in our lives; it’s for everyone, giving men and women equal opportunity. The sun is as American as it can get and now with solar power, ALL Americans can utilize its energy and at GR Solar Solutions Inc., we think that’s a beautiful thing.

A Breakthrough in Clean Energy

/0 Comments/in , /by

Solar powered energy is the wave of the future, thanks in large part because it is healthy for the environment. Recently, there has been a breakthrough regarding solar energy in Switzerland.

On Wednesday, Swiss scientists announced a new clean energy breakthrough. They developed a cheaper solar technology that can split water molecules to create a clean burning hydrogen fuel.

The design of this solar panel will be a cheaper way to produce hydrogen. However, a simple version of this will not be available to the general public for another ten years.

However this type of energy would mean that cars would have clean power. The suns energy would be easily stored from the hydrogen that is produced. Once this became available, it would be much better for the environment.

Previously one of the biggest issues that solar hydrogen technologies was that they were too expensive to commercialize and make available to everyone. By using technologies that are less expensive to produce, more people will be able to access them and reduce the size of their carbon footprint.

This model would look like the previous solar panels mounted on rooftops. The main difference would be that there would be a thin layer on the outside with water inside. Tungsten diselenide, also inside the device, acts as a photo-catalyst and utilizes the suns energy in order to split water into oxygen and hydrogen.

Interesting stuff.

At Solar Solutions we can install them for your residential and commercial needs. Contact us today!

Source Used: http://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/discovery-brightens-solars-future-energy-costs-be-cut-n385841

Why You Should Heat Your Pool With Solar Power

/0 Comments/in , , /by

The arrival of spring marks the start to the warmer months, and many people are just starting to get their pools ready for the coming hot weather. Though it may be a bit cool to take a dip for now, adding a solar-powered heating system can not only add weeks of enjoyment to your swimming season, but also save you dollars.

Solar powered pool heating systems have been around for many years now, and have grown in popularity in recent years as an efficient and self-sustaining method for keeping pools from being too cool. These systems draw pool water in via the pump already used in the pool and force it through valves into the bottom of a closed system that is exposed to solar collectors. As the water heats from absorbing the radiant energy of sunlight, it rises to the top where it is returned to the pool in a continual process until the pool reaches the desired temperature.

Conventional systems, by contrast, heat water using a separate heating tank, similar to the water heater in your home. Just like that system, conventional pool heaters require an energy source, such as natural gas or electricity, and can quickly become an expensive endeavor. In areas like ours, with abundant sunlight, a solar system can provide the same heating capability using no energy at all, efficiently and greenly raising your water temperature without boiling over into your energy bills.

The U.S. Department of Energy notes that solar water heaters are the most cost-effective use of solar energy for most climates, and besides being cost competitive with conventional systems, can effectively pay for themselves in fuel savings in as little as a year and a half. Solar pool heating systems are generally very low maintenance as well, and, according to the Florida Solar Energy Center, can easily last for 10 to 15 years with regular care, providing many extra months of comfortable water for extra time in your pool.

Solar heating systems are generally noninvasive installations, and can be installed as a rooftop or freestanding unit. With so many advantages, from energy savings to extending your swimming season, there’s no better way to get the most out of your pool than adding a solar pool heating system.