Where Is Solar Being Used

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Which Countries Are Utilizing Solar

Solar power is increasing worldwide and also becoming a progressively integral part of the energy mix in several countries. We sought advice from numerous reports to determine which countries are making use of solar power, as well as which parts of the world, have the highest possible solar production capabilities.

Which countries have the most mounted solar PV?

Solar energy is used all over the world, but presently, China, Japan, as well as the USA lead the world in regards to total solar capability installs. Here are the leading ten countries rated in regards to overall solar setups in megawatts (MW).

 

In contracts to years before, the USA is one rank greater, moving ahead of Germany. Additionally, India went ahead of Italy, and France surpassed Australia. Which nations have expanded the most in the past decade for solar PV capability? Surprisingly, one decade prior in 2008, China only had 253 MW of solar PV set up, implying that the total ability of mounted solar in the country has grown almost 70,000 times over. Over the same amount of time, global solar PV capability grew from 14,725 MW to 480,357 MW.

Worldwide solar power capacity

Solar panels can create electrical power just about anywhere on Earth, yet some locations get even more sunlight than others, and as such, have a higher solar energy capacity. The following map, prepared by Solargis, shows areas with the highest PV production possibility. It is based on the insolation at different parts of the earth’s surface, which is an action of how much solar radiation hits a location.

World Solar PV Potential

Many factors affect the PV potential/insolation of a geographic area, consisting of sun angle, length of day, as well as surface area representation. Checking out the map above, it’s not a surprise that numerous areas near the equator have reasonably more significant PV possible given the quantity of sunshine they receive throughout the year, the high angle of the sun, as well as the absence of snow and ice to reflect solar radiation to space.

Of course, these factors alone cannot anticipate the solar manufacturing possibility of a specific setup. Elements like the tilt of your solar panels, air quality, air temperature, weather variations, and a lot more will all influence the hourly, daily, monthly, as well as yearly energy production of solar photovoltaic systems.

Evaluate your solar possibilities today

If you’re wondering about the solar production capacity of your specific home, you can discover free by contacting us for a completely free solar panel estimate. We will help you assess every one of your equipment choices and funding offers. When working with us, you can feel great that you’re making a smart financial investment in your house.

Why Green Energy is Good for the Economy

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Remember a long time ago when smokestacks filled city skylines? The darker the skies, the more jobs there were in cities like Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo. It took a lot of energy to run those factories, which made the very things that made America great– things like automobiles, steel and other goods that literally helped build America.

Today you’re not likely to see as many dirty smokestacks as alternative forms of energy have replaced the burning of fossil fuels in many cases.

Is green energy from renewable resources good for the economy? Surprisingly, yes! It turns out that solar energy, for instance, now employs more people than traditional coal, gas and oil combined. According to a report from the US Department of Energy, solar energy employed 374,000 people in the 2015-2016 year compared to fossil fuels employing some 187,000 people. As you’d imagine, coal has declined sharply, especially in the past ten years.

It seems like solar energy is not only more environmentally-friendly than previous ways to harness energy, but also economically sound… and thriving. More and more workers are constructing various projects that enable the sun’s rays to power our everyday lives in smart ways that include heating pool water, providing electricity to residential homes, and lighting signage along highways.

Over one hundred countries in the world have set renewable energy targets. They want to get away from reliance on fossil fuels and move to different energy sources, such as solar, in order to power their countries. For instance, the European Union set a goal of acquiring 20 percent of its energy needs from renewable sources by the year 2020.

What happens when countries decide to “go green?” New jobs are created. Efficiency is improved. Money is made. Consumers like it because they’re saving money on their utility bills.

Solar energy is an ethical and attractive investment; it’s good for the economy and good for the planet. If you’re in the Albququerque, NM area, make sure to read more about our solar panel services in the Albuquerque market.

Where’s The Tipping Point For Solar Energy?

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With all the talk these days about renewable forms of energy, it’s easy to feel like we’re all just waiting around for something to happen. Many people are encouraged by the progress they hear about in the solar energy sector, but remain in the dark as to when it will be become widely and readily available. This confusion is understandable, but the answer is actually quite clear. As this recent Forbes article points out, more and more people will enjoy the benefits of clean, renewable solar energy when we have a grid infrastructure that will allow it to flourish

Of course, updating our energy grid is very expensive. But anyone who understands what’s going on in the world, anyone who worries about the future of his or her children and grandchildren, knows that it’s completely necessary and quite urgent. Besides, this type of project is exactly what our economy needs, something that will stimulate growth and provide job creation on an enormous scale.

Energy companies have already been investing in improvements for years, many of them to keep things running smoothly under stress, avoiding situations where congestion becomes a problem. In many cases, this is accomplished by enabling a grid to adapt to variances, which is exactly what is required for solar and wind to flourish. Because the collection of energy varies, our grid needs to be able to adapt.

Renewable forms of energy also require a grid that stores and transmits energy differently. In the case of solar, many people are finding the solution to be quite simple—just install the solar panels right on the roof! Localized solar panels allow for efficient delivery that can remove stress from the grid instead of adding to it. Contact us for solar Albuquerque assistance.

Even though we know that the benefits of renewable forms of energy like solar are great, we all need to be on board for them to reach a tipping point. States across the country have different attitudes and policies when it comes to energy, but things seem to be moving slowly in the right direction. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan calls for a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent within the next fifteen years.

A new, high-tech power grid will allow Americans to achieve the magnificent possibilities that clean energy like solar can help to provide. As with all powerful movements, however, individuals need to take the first step to loudly proclaim that solar energy is what they want, and more importantly, what they deserve. For residents in Texas or New Mexico, the first step can be taken by giving Solar Solutions a call today.

Could Airplanes One Day Run on Solar Power?

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Solar power has continued to make serious strides in adoption and implementation, not only in residential and commercial building applications, but also through full-scale solar farms and even as alternative fuels in other markets. One such market is aviation, where a solar-powered aircraft is currently showing off what is possible with the latest solar technologies.

Currently, the Solar Impulse 2, a solar-powered aircraft designed by a Swiss engineering team, is amid its round-the-world flight, piloted by Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg. The solar plane set out on the first leg of the trip March 9, taking off from Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, and landed 13 hours later in Muscat, Oman. The flight plan will take them around the globe in 12 planned flights, showcasing the potential of solar flight.

The team did not set out to revolutionize air travel, as the current design has significant limitations on speed and payload that make it unviable as a replacement to current aircraft. However, the concepts and basic demonstrations seek to showcase the possibility of solar air travel, and inspire and mobilize public enthusiasm and advance solar power technologies even further.

A recent International Business Times article discusses some of the more revolutionary concepts included in the plane’s design, including improved solar cell technology that has nearly twice the efficiency as conventional solar panels. In addition, the plane is essentially capable of nonstop, continuous flight, thanks to innovative new battery storage methods that allow the Solar Impulse 2 to store energy in reserve for use when the sun is down. This is one of the current stalling points in terrestrial widespread solar energy adoption, and the efforts of pioneers like Piccard and Borschberg are helping to drive further advancement in the field. Please contact Solar Solutions for a free solar energy savings estimate.

While true widespread adoption of solar power in air travel may still be many years off, the Solar Impulse team and other innovators in the industry are clearing the way for solar to take off. Through their work, hopes are high that the technology with further improve and lead to expanded applications for solar energy here on solid ground.

Why You Should Take Advantage of the 30% Tax Credit Before 2020 Comes Around

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This article is intended to give you information you should be aware of in regards to the solar tax incentive and its decline over the next 3 years. In order to take advantage of the 30% Federal tax credit, you will have to install your solar panels by the end of 2019. At the beginning of 2020, the tax credit will decrease by 4% down to 26%, which could mean a substantial amount of savings, dependent on the size of your system.

Any professional solar panel company should know everything having to do with the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), and the benefits that come with it for you as the consumer. The enactment of the ITC was the intended to allow those with solar energy projects to take advantage of a 30% tax credit on a cost basis of their qualified energy property in the year it was first put into service.

Back in 2015, when the ITC’s original 30% was about to expire, Congress approved the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2015. This extended the 30% ITC for all residential and commercial projects up until the end of December 2019. Beginning 2020, it would go down to 26%, then drop to 22% at the beginning of 2021. The start of 2022 meant that the remaining 10% tax credit would remain intact only for commercial projects. The extension of the ITC tax credit also stated that the requirement for the qualification of a solar panel project only needed to commence instead of it being in-service. The IRS states that in order for a project to fall under the “commence construction” phase, it must fall in to the following two steps:

  1. PHYSICAL WORK TEST: SECTION 4.02-.04: “The Physical Work Test requires that a taxpayer begin physical work of a significant nature.  This test focuses on the nature of the work performed, not the amount or the cost.” This work performed can include the installation of racks or other various structures to attach PV panels, collectors, or solar cells to the site (4.02.2.A).  This does not include any preliminary activities such as planning or designing an array design, obtaining permits or licenses, securing financing, the clearing of a site, or conducting geophysical/environmental/engineering surveys of the site (4.03). It is important to note that physical work also does not include the effort involved in producing “the components of the energy property that are either in existing inventory or are normally held in inventory by a vendor.”
    1. Continuous Construction Test (Section 6): “Involves continuing physical work of a significant nature. Whether a taxpayer maintains a continuous program of construction to satisfy the Continuity Requirement will be determined by the relevant facts and circumstances.”
  2. FIVE PERCENT SAFE HARBOR: SECTION 5. 01-.02: “Construction of energy property will be considered as having begun if: (1) a taxpayer pays or incurs 5% percent or more of the total cost of the energy property, and (2) the taxpayer makes continuous efforts to advance towards completion of the energy property” (5.01).  Meaning that the estimated total of all costs of the energy venture in question are taken into account when trying to evaluate whether or not the Five Percent Safe Harbor standard has been established.  This total does not include the price of the land intended to house the energy property.
    1. Continuous Efforts Test (Section 6): “Whether a taxpayer makes continuous efforts to advance towards completion of an energy property to satisfy the Continuity Requirement includes, but is not limited to: (a) paying additional amounts included in the total cost of the energy property; (b) entering into binding written contracts for the manufacture, construction, or production of components of property or for future work to construct the energy property; (c) obtaining necessary permits; and (d) performing physical work of a significant nature.”

A couple of questions have been asked in regards to satisfying these two requirements:

  1. “Is it necessary for me to complete both these two steps before January 1, 2020 in order to satisfy the requirements necessary to receive the 2019 tax credit?”
    1. Looking at section 3.02 of the IRS Notice 2018-59, it states that while you must implement both these steps for your solar project to qualify, the construction will be considered started on the date the taxpayer first establishes the first of the two steps listed above. Here is an example:
      1. “For example, if a taxpayer performs physical work of a significant nature on [the] energy property in 2018, and then pays five percent or more of the total cost of the energy property in 2019, construction will be deemed to begin in 2018 under the Physical Work Test, not in 2019 under the Five Percent Safe Harbor” (Section 3.02).
    2. “Is it true that I have 4 years to complete my energy project and still apply for the ITC credit level of the year in which I first “Commenced Construction”?”
      1. There is an article by McDermott that technically says the answer to this question is yes, however, this notice clarifies that after a commercial project has been approved for the ITC (aka the taxpayers have been able to purchase equipment equal to 5% of anticipated project costs and passed the Physical Work Test) in 2019 it will permit projects placed in service up until January 1st, 2023 to qualify for the ITC at the current 30% rate from 2019.  Although it is important to note that construction and significant payments of the energy property must continue throughout this 4 year time period to remain in good graces for the Continuity Safe Harbor.
      2. “If a taxpayer places an energy property in service by the end of a calendar year that is no more than four calendar years after the calendar year during which construction of the energy property began (“the Continuity Safe Harbor Deadline”), the energy property will be considered to satisfy the Continuity Safe Harbor.  For example, if construction begins on an energy property on January 15, 2018, and the energy property is placed in service by December 31, 2022, the energy property will be considered to satisfy the Continuity Safe Harbor (Section 6.05).”

Therefore, based on all the information from the IRS Report 2018-59 to claim the 30% ITC this year all you have to do is:

  1. Make a 5% payment on the total cost of the solar panel system along with a written contract that guarantees the continuous development of the solar panel system, or begin physical work of a significant nature in regards to the installation process (ie. “racking or other structures to affix PV panels, collectors, or solar cells to a site”) before January 1st, 2020.

Our advice is to claim your tax credit now and don’t wait until next year or you risk part of the 30% tax credit.

Note: This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.

How Solar PV and Energy Storage Play a Role in Farming

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The process of convering solar energy into electricity is called solar photovaltaic (PV). This is not a new technology, however, many home owners, including farmers, are not taking advantage of this process to help reduce their electricity bill.

Because of increased cell efficiency and lower raw material costs and manufacturing, the costs of PV has reduced past the 80% mark in the last decade..

Farmers can take advantage of a new 40% grant through TAMS and a 100% accelerated capital allowances in year of purchase to help reduce their electricity costs, thus making Solar PV the smartest investment they’ll ever make.

Other grants are readily available through the BEC program that is run by the SEAI. The importance of farmers to generate their own electricity is because of planned Government increases in carbon taxes that will become innevitable.

A Solar PV investment on a farm is a wise one due to 100% write off against tax in the year that it is purchased and they can also reclaim the VAT part of the cost.

Full Clarity

Because Solar PV systems are monitored, farmers will be have full transparency of the energy they generate yearly, daily and hourly.

They can also tell how much electricity they are purchasing from the grid which allows them a clear understanding of their energy usage, which is very beneficial.

If you’re a farm owner and would like more information on how having a Solar PV system on your property, contact us and we’d be happy to set up a FREE solar savings consultation with you.

MIT Researchers Find That Solar Panels Can Power the World

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The Massachusetts Institute of Technology recently released a report stating that the solar panels used today have the ability to supply the world with power, with the capacity to produce terawatts of energy by 2050. One terawatt of energy is equal to one million megawatts, and the world population currently consumes 15 terawatts of energy.

Battery technology is seen as key to assisting in the switch to solar energy, because of the ability for a battery to store electricity during peak production and then dispense it when there is little or no sunlight.

Germany is seen as a successful example of solar energy use. In 1991, a Feed-in Tariff rebate plan was created to encourage production of solar panels and other low carbon energy sources. In 2013, Germany was producing 27 percent of the world’s solar energy.

With scientists already capable of harnessing the sun’s energy, the writers of the study believe investment will be the biggest setback in transferring to solar power. The United States uses 26 percent of the world’s power, but there is very little federal support for solar energy which will not likely change until carbon dioxide emissions become too costly. The study emphasizes a need for this support, as well as more research.

Solar Solutions Inc. has helped countless customers power their home or business with solar panels, providing them with an avenue to reduce their energy bills and their environmental footprint.

For more information about the numerous benefits of solar energy, please contact us today.

Want A Payback Period Of 5 to 8 Years On Your New Solar Panel Install

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There are several factors that are currently offsetting the total cost of solar panels for a home installation:

  1. 30% Federal Tax Credit
  2. State Tax Credit
  3. Utility Based Solar Incentives
  4. Net Metering Law

If you are currently living in a state that is better suited for solar panels, you can almost assure yourself of a 5-8 year payback period on your solar investment. On average, the life-span of a solar panel system is roughly 25 years which means that you can count on almost 20 years of not having an electric bill, how’s that for savings? As electricity rates continue to rise, now is the perfect time to take advantage of the 30% Federal Tax Credit which will expire at the end of 2019.

How Do Solar Panels Work At My Home

The most obvious difference between residential building installs and other solar powered systems is that typically they are connected to your local utility grid.

Having said that, when you connect a new solar panel system for your home, your local utility company usually has a huge say-so as to what equipment needs to be installed and how it can operate. The size of your solar panel system must be approved by your local utility, including the voltage, current, and the solar inverter that needs to be installed.

Will My Solar Panel System Continue To Work If There Is A Utility Grid Failure

The quick answer is that it doesn’t continue to work. Your system inverter needs to shut down your system so that a person working on the lines can work on the electrical problem and won’t be shocked or electrocuted by your solar panel system. Most residential owners don’t understand this process and thus get upset whenever they have a power failure and their solar panel system shuts down as well. However, remember that this is down primarily for the safety of any linesman that might be working on getting the power back up again.

Why Are Residential Solar Panels Tied To The Grid

The reason is due to the net metering laws that are applicable in more than 30 states. This law requires your local utility to give you a credit on your electricity bill for each kWh of solar power that your system produces that feeds back into the grid.

Most power is produced around the middle of the day because this is usually when most people are at work or school and they are using the least amount of solar power. This means that because it is not being used, approximately 40% of the solar powered produced from your home solar panels can then be fed back in to the local grid. The retail net metering give you back 1kWh for each 1kWh that you feed back in to the grid which then you can use during the evening and night when you’re at home.

Which Brands of Solar Panels Are The Best For My Home

There are many different manufacturers of solar panels to consider and that your local contractor utilizes. You can find reviews for many of the best solar panels for 2019 on this site.

How To Find The Best Local Solar Company

Like making any major purchase, you must do a bit of homework on your end by researching your local solar panel companies. One of the main factors to look for is years in business and reviews for any company you are considering.

Should You Buy Solar Panels For Your Home

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Is 2019 the year you should consider purchasing solar panels for your home? Many Americans are asking themselves the same question considering that the 30% federal tax credit will almost be good as gone by the end of 2019. There are several factors you should consider, amongst them are where you currently reside, the amount of space your roof has, how much of your roof is shaded, how much power do you actually use and last, how much are you paying for your electricity.

When it comes to installing solar panels, there are 5 basic things you should be informed about in order to make the most logical decision:

  1. Do you have a roof that is suitable for solar panels to be installed?
  2. What is the cost of installing solar panels at your home?
  3. How much will you actually be saving by installing solar panels?
  4. What brand or type of solar panels will the contractor be installing?
  5. Have you researched the solar panel contractors around your area in order to get the best price and quality service?

How Much Space Do I Need On My Roof To Consider Installing Solar Panels

Net metering is your friend as it gives you credits in order for you to use during your night time electricity usage, meaning that solar power can literally power your entire home. Most homes need between 6-8kW of solar power to completely eliminate their electricity invoice. So you better have between 360 and 520 square feet of roof space if you’re going to consider solar panels at your residence. Most solar consumption happens between 10 am and 3 pm, so make sure you have plenty of sunshine during these hours. Here is a quick link to calculate your roof space.

Should My Roof Be Facing South

It is primarily most effective for solar panels to be facing south, however, if your solar panels face south east or south west, they can still produce plenty of electricity. Solar panels facing west produce roughly 15% less electricity than those facing south, however, with the price of solar panels decreasing, it is a viable option. This is a great way of taking advantage of peak rates in the afternoon, which is becoming more common than usual.

What Is The Cost Of Solar Panel Installation

The two main source for data on home solar panel installation costs in America come from SolarReviews partners. The Lawrence Berkeley institute published the cost of 90% of home solar systems that were installed in the USA. The information gathered showed that on average it costs $3.89 per watt for a solar powered system. You can find that information by clicking here.

The other source of solar data is from www.solar-estimate.org. The average cost from them was a bit lower than that of Lawrence Berkeley at $3.08 per watt. This however, was for solar systems that were cash purchased and before the 30% tax credit that was being offered. So if you consider a 6kW system, this comes out to $18,480 before the 30% tax credit and $12,936 after taking advantage of the tax credit.

Can I Find a Solar Cost Estimator To Calculate The Cost Of Installing Solar Panels At My Home

One of the most used calculators to estimate the cost of solar panel installation is found at Solar-Estimate. It gives you the rates that are currently being charged by multiple utility companies in its database and also very accurate solar panel production data for many locations around the USA. It will give you the amount of solar panels you will require and how much you’ll be saving before having to enter any personal information.

Do your due diligence and make sure you present the estimate given at this website in order to compare the information with the contractors estimate. As always, there are many different variables when it comes to installing a solar panel system, and coordinating with your contractor is always best for your location and home.