Fifteen Reasons to Go Solar
Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast
Episode 109
Fifteen Reasons to Go Solar
Did you know that solar power is the most abundant resource on Earth. Covering only 4% of the world’s desert areas with solar panels would produce enough electricity to power the entire planet. Yet it is still difficult for me to believe that anyone would malign a global transition to renewable energy.
My homestead has been run entirely off of solar power for the last 6 years and my investment has more than paid for itself. Now I get my electricity for free. But besides that, there are many other valid reasons to use solar power.
If you want to know the rest of the story, then stay tuned for E109 which is called 15 Reasons to Go Solar
Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is E109 which is called 15 Reasons to Go Solar
In this episode I am going to discuss several topics:
-First I will talk about my own transition to solar energy
-then I am going to give you 15 reasons for you to transition to solar energy
-In the end I am going to give you several environmental reasons for you to go solar.
-And finally I want to end the episode with a quick take away for you to think about.
That said, let’s get right down to it.
Even though I have lived off the grid for 26 years and have a fully functional household, what most people do not know is that for the first 15 years of that time I lived on the homestead without any electricity. I did so because when I first purchased that land I was one year out of school and I was extremely poor. The local utility company said they could run electricity to my place for a mere $35,000. I could not afford that of course because I was barely able to make the mortgage payment. Due to that I also could not afford to pay rent so I lived in a tent for 5 months while building the log cabin. Needless to say, I was forced to be very creative in how I lived. I simply had no choice.
At first I used kerosene lanterns for light. I excavated a cellar on the north side of the cabin and used that for refrigeration. Eventually, I built an addition to the cabin over the cellar and built in a trap door so I could access the cellar from inside. After a couple of years of that, I installed some propane lines into the cabin and installed indoor propane lights which worked great and even provided a source of heat. At this point I was about 10 years into being on the homestead.
My next step up was setting up a small solar array to charge a battery bank. I would then take a couple of batteries at a time and set them on the window sills and attach DC lights that were typically used for boats and RVs. And that is the way things stayed for a few more years.
During this time, the price of solar kept going down to the point that it was financially feasible to install a small array. So, I started getting quotes from companies. The problem at this point was that I was getting quoted $15K just for the installation. Equipment cost was going to be at least another $10K. And I simply wanted a solar set up for a small cabin.
My solution of course to all of this was to do it myself. I started with an online course, which progressed to a 10 day intensive hands on workshop. The challenge was that the workshop was in Georgia so I have to travel cross country. I then arranged to take a temporary job in Georgia, drove down to take the class, and wrote the whole trip off as a business trip.
My total investment into the class, with travel, was approximately $2000. I then worked directly with a solar company on the design of my solar array and did all of the installation work myself. In the end my total investment was about $12K. Based on quotes I was getting I saved myself $13 K.
While that may sound like a lot of money up front, based on what most of my friends were paying for monthly utilities, my solar array paid for itself in a little less than three years. At this point, essentially my electricity is free. I also now have a refrigerator and freezer which of course made a huge difference in my lifestyle.
Now I share this story with you about my journey toward solar energy just to illustrate a point. When I purchased my homestead property in 1996, the cost of a solar installation was still quite high. Over time it became much more practical for me and consequently I made a huge leap. For me it is truly an enormous part of my personality to learn how to do things myself. That way I gain new knowledge and skills. If I build it then I can fix it. But, not everyone is that way which I totally understand. The additional challenge for me is that due to where I live it is enormously difficult to ever get any repair person up to my place especially in the winter time.
All that being said, anyone wanting to transition to solar does not have to deal with all the things that I struggled with for so many years. Because of my choice of lifestyle, I just had to get very creative and I made the choice to deal with a lot of things that the average person would never do.
However, there have been enormous improvements and changes in technology even since I installed solar. And due to this, price of solar has dropped approximately 80% since 2008. Now more than ever is one of the best times to transition to solar energy.
So what I want to do in this episode is to talk about some of the best reasons to make this transition. Not only that, I want to convince you that not only is a very real possibility for anyone these days but it will also give you tremendous personal security.
15 Reasons to Go Solar
- Peak oil and sustainability
The first thing I want to mention is the concept of Peak Oil. This is the concept of our world reaching a point of maximum energy production. The question is how much longer will oil and gas be available in sufficient quantities to support our significant demands?
Now there is considerable discussion about this whole concept and some folks believe that we have already reached peak oil. But the principle concern is that sooner or later we would actually run out of oil. But what really happened was something that was not predicted. The United States apparently reached maximum oil production in 1971, after which production declined. But due to advances in technology and techniques for recovering oil reserves, there was another spike in oil production. The United States now produces more oil than any other country in the world.
2) Climate change
What we do know is that the global transportation and energy sector is by far responsible for the largest portion of CO2 emissions. Concern over climate change is now a major driving force for many changes in the oil and energy industry. Consequently, people now believe we have already reached peak oil. Advances in electric vehicle technology are making this type of transportation more and more practical. In fact, some manufacturers have even promised a specific deadline after which they will only produce electric vehicles. Over time, this simply means that the demand for oil will decline. This is why some experts believe we have already reached peak oil.
3) Renewable energy transition is coming whether you like it or not.
Unfortunately, it always seems to me that the best way to get a culture or society to make a huge transition is to somehow force it on them. What most people do not realize is that the renewable energy transition if coming whether you like it or not. Just recently the US Department of Energy’s Berkeley Laboratory released its annual analysis of solar energy in the US. What the research found is that nearly half the solar energy generating capacity in the United States was installed in 2021. Furthermore, solar is expected to dominate future energy generating installations. This is simply because the price of solar has dropped some much over the past 12 years. It has now become less expensive to build and operate a solar plant than it is to purchase fuel to power an existing natural gas or coal fired plant.
4) Cost savings
Now to put that into perspective for the average consumer, as of December 2016, the cost of solar energy production was $1.65 per watt and the cost of wind energy was $1.66 per watt. Both energy sources beat the cost of fossil fuel energy production by a narrow margin. Interestingly enough, it was 2016 when I installed my own solar array.
5) Solar energy is the fastest growing energy source in the world.
It took nearly 40 years for the US to reach 1 million solar installations. That was in 2016. Three years later, the US reached 2 million solar installations. The projection by 2023 is that there will be 4 million solar installations. This makes solar the fastest growing energy resource in the world. What this means for the consumer is increased efficiency and decreased cost.
Granted the decision to invest in renewable energy is challenging and overwhelming. Just the up front cost alone can be intimidating to the average person. Furthermore, most companies are only interested in selling you an expensive package and it can be challenging to find someone who will simply give you the straight facts. This is why you must take the time to educate yourself.
6) Solar is the most abundant energy source on Earth.
Another reason to choose solar is that it is literally the most abundant energy source on Earth. The amount of potential solar energy that reaches our planet in one hour equals the total energy consumption of everyone. Just 20 days of sunshine can create the same amount of energy as all the Earth’s gas, oil and coal combined.
7) Solar energy can power an entire home
While I choose to live in a smaller more efficient cabin, compared to how we live most people have much larger homes. That being said, modern solar packages are designed to power entire homes. And if you are tied to the grid, net metering agreements ensure you always have the energy that you need. Most states these days have net metering agreements which means your utility provider is required to buy excess energy that you produce. In essence, this means that your utility meter can run backwards and forward during any billing cycle. The consumer is only required to pay and “net amount” consumed during any billing cycle.
8) Solar payoff period
Another reason to choose renewable energy is your solar payoff period. This is the point where your energy savings cancels out the cost of your solar energy system. Most home owners reach this point in about 10 years. However, I reached that point in about 3 years.
Although your break even point can be affected by many factors, solar panels typically come with a 25 year warranty. Consequently, it is a pretty safe investment.
Another thing to consider is financing. If you cannot afford the cost of a solar package up front, there are many banks and lending institutions that will finance the cost of the solar package. But this can also be affected even if you make some form of cash payment up front. The company I purchased my solar package from advised me up front that I would get a considerable discount if I paid cash. Consequently, I put off my solar install for over a year while I worked to raise the money to pay cash.
9) Environmentally friendly
Solar energy is of course far more environmentally friendly than the burning of fossil fuels. Despite this well known fact, the burning of fossils fuels provides about 70% of the electricity needs in the United States. In 2015, according to Forbes magazine, the world set a new all time record high of fossil fuel consumption. Consequently, global carbon dioxide emissions also set a new all-time high. But CO2 emissions are not the only thing we have to be concerned about. The combustion of fossil fuels produces several types of harmful emissions:
-Carbon Dioxide (C02) – a green house gas that contributes to global warming.
-Carbon Monoxide (C0)- in high concentrations can be lethal.
-Sulfur Dioxide (S02)-causes acid rain.
-Nitrogen Oxides (N0x) – can irritate and damage lungs tissue.
-Particulate Matter: causes hazy conditions in urban areas. It can also contribute to bronchitis and asthma.
-Mercury and other heavy metals: these are harmful to both humans and other animal life.
Compare that to emission free solar technology and the choice becomes obvious.
10) Solar has a fixed cost.
Now the next best reason to use solar is that it has a fixed cost. On the other hand, consumers have no choice but to pay whatever price the utility provider demands. This price of course can change without notice depending on the market value. This is also something the consumer cannot control. However, the cost of solar remains stable. Even if you lease your solar electric system, your monthly payment remains the same. It simply replaces your normal utility bill. Of course, if you pay for your system outright, from that point on your electricity bill is $0.
11) One step closer to independence.
When you make the decision to go solar, you make the choice to invest in yourself. You are no longer making monthly payments to your energy provider. Nor are you subject to their fees and demands. You are able to take control of your utility costs. This makes you one step closer to independence. Increased personal independence gives you more freedom to make other choices about how you want to live your life.
In my opinion, this is yet another way to take control of your own resources.
12) Tax incentives/grants
Federal and State governments offer certain tax benefits for home owners purchasing renewable energy systems. Solar power is one of the most common choices. These programs are designed to help cover the up-front cost and to encourage the development of clean energy systems. There is a lot of variation from state to state and your local solar company should be able to sort that out. I have known several people where such incentives paid for over 75% of the up front cost of their system.
13) Solar power can make your home off-grid ready.
As a person that has lived most of the last 26 years off the grid, I now find this lifestyle easy and comfortable. I wonder sometimes why more people do not make this choice. But I do understand that many people are just not ready to manage many of their own resources. However, what I have found is that more people are comfortable with the concept of “off-grid ready” as opposed to the pure off-grid lifestyle. Solar power makes this choice easy.
With even a small, relatively inexpensive solar array and battery backup, it is possible to be off-grid ready. With a smaller solar array it is possible to run specific, dedicated circuits in your home even when the grid goes down. A good example would be limiting those dedicated circuits to some basic lighting, refrigeration, and specific portions of your heating and cooling system. This would make your home operational with the basic necessities if there is an interruption in grid power.
14) Solar electric systems are durable.
Solar electric systems have no moving parts, which greatly reduces the likelihood of failure. The solar wafers themselves are not durable. However, they are encased behind glass that is rigorously tested for heat, cold, wind, rain, snow loads, and impact damage. Often these panels are more durable than the roof of your house. Even if something does happen, most panels are backed by a 25 to 30 year warranty.
When you compare this to the out dated, run down condition of our national power grid, it makes solar an easy choice.
15) Renewable energy is an unlimited resource
And reason #15 for going solar should go without saying. Solar energy is a renewable resource which makes it invaluable. Think of it this way. Sit for a few minutes and make a list of all the things in your life that you have to purchase repeatedly: electricity, gasoline, clothing, over the counter medications, computers, cell phones, bread, meat, eggs, and water to name a few. There is a reason that these things are called commodities. These are the things we all need to make our lives function and we also have no way of controlling the price.
But unlike so many commodities that then to rule our lives, solar energy is not a consumable resource that is depleted, used up, and has to be purchased again. When the sun is shining you have electricity. Even on a cloudy day, there is often enough solar radiation (insolation) to still produce electricity. What most people never stop to think about is that the heat and light from the sun is a significant and inexhaustible resource that is free.
Now, let’s just do a quick review of the 15 reasons to use solar power.
-Peak oil and sustainability
-Climate change
-The renewable energy transition is coming whether you like it or not
-It actually saves you money
-It is the fastest growing energy source in the world
-It is the most abundant energy source on Earth
-It can power your entire home
-After your solar energy system is paid off, your electricity is free
-Environmentally friendly
-Solar has a fixed cost
-Solar energy makes you one step closer to independence
-Tax incentives and credits will actually pay for a significant portion of the up front cost of installation
-Solar power can make your home off-grid ready
-Solar electric systems are durable
-Solar power is an unlimited resource
Now if you want a little more information, I do have several posts on my blog regarding solar energy. Just go to offgridlivingnews.com and scroll through the posts and you will find a lot more information there.
There are two things that you will hear me say over and over again. The first if that as long as someone else is in control of your resources, they are in control of your life. The second is that you had better learn to live more sustainably while you still have the choice. I think those two concepts sum up the very reasons to make a transition to solar energy.
Solar energy has actually been around since 1839. A man named Alexandre Edmond Becquerel, I hope I am pronouncing that correctly, who was born in Paris, discovered the photovoltaic effect, which is the ability to create and electric current from the sun’s rays. The first solar panel cell was invented by Russel Ohl in 1941 and Bell Laboratories produced the first commercial solar panel in 1954. Over time with technological advances, the cost of solar energy has gone down dramatically.
Although it took 40 years for the US to reach one million solar installations, it only took three years to reach two million. Solar is now less expensive to install and maintain than any other energy source on Earth. For that reason, the transition to renewable energy is coming in the very near future whether you like it or not. Why not just get ahead of the game.
If you would just think for a moment about the instability of the power grid in the United States. The frequency and duration of power outages are increasing, our power grid is aging and more unreliable than ever, not to mention the centralization of control over the grid which makes it vulnerable to ransomeware hacks. And if you don’t believe me then listen to podcast E85 which is called What Happened to Our Energy Security. This alone should convince you to power your home with solar energy because it truly will give you some personal security and peace of mind.
Now I surely hope this episode has encouraged you to work toward your own personal transition to renewable energy. If not, I want to close this episode with giving you just a few examples of some significant environmental disasters related to industrial processes, nuclear and oil. Keep in mind that these are the very things that go on in the world to support the lifestyles that we choose to keep.
-Decades of mishandling of industrial waste in Japan lead to repeated outbreaks of serious diseases. This started in 1912. This was eventually linked to the dumping of waste into the local water supply.
-Starting in 1958 an estimated 13 million gallons of oil were spilled in the Niger Delta. Over a 30 year period, the Chevron Company was found to be responsible for over four hundred million barrels of oil being spilled into the watershed in the Amazon basin. A similar thing happened in the Amazon basin in Peru. In both cases, hundreds of thousand of people were sickened and died from various diseases.
-In 1976 a cloud of dioxin was released from a chemical plant in Seveso, Italy which sickens at least two thousand people and resulted in the slaughter of eighty thousand animals to keep the poison from entering the food chain.
-In 1978 an Amoco tanker spills two million barrels of oil off the coast of France polluting two hundred miles of coastline.
-In 1984 the US company Union Carbide had a cyanide gas leak from a plant in India which killed at least four thousand people and sickened an estimated half a million others.
-In 1986 there was the Chernobyl Nuclear disaster. In 1989 the Exxon Valdez oil spill which leaked 10.8 million gallons of crude oil, polluted 1,300 miles of coast line and kills hundreds of thousands of animals.
-In 2010 and explosion on a British Petroleum oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico results in the largest oil spill in US history, an estimated 5 million barrels. It kills eleven people, it took three months to control and caused an estimate $17.2 billion in damages.
Now in closing, I want to leave you with one final thought. The most abundant source of energy on planet Earth is the sun. Whenever there is a huge solar energy spill, it is just called “a nice day.”
This is your host Patrick signing off until next week. Always remember to live sustainably because this is how we build a better future.
Patrick
1912 - 2020 Ecological Disasters
US Installs Record Solar Capacity as Prices Keep Falling
Patrick
