Energy Assurance
One truth about life in the 21st century is that we depend, almost
critically, on a constant flow of electricity. Without it, our economic,
political and social infrastructures are thrown into chaos.
As an example of this, the Amazon. COM company loses $1 million each minute
when a power disruption makes its website unavailable. As worldwide demand for
energy continues to rise exponentially, systems designed for the expected loads
and capacities of yesteryear are prone to failures such as power outages and
wide scale blackouts.
What’s more, many forms conventional electricity production – from oil fields
and gas pipelines to nuclear power plants and hydro-electricity stations - are
vulnerable to a wide range of natural disasters as well as vandalism, sabotage
and acts of war or terrorism.
Renewable energy systems, on the other hand, allow us peace of mind with regard to
electricity supply. They provide us with a highly reliable, low-cost source of
power, and can operate independently in homes, office towers, shopping malls,
administrative centers and government.
Consumer Perspective
Every day, more and more people across the globe are seeking ways in which
they as individuals can contribute to a cleaner, greener future for our planet.
If you are considering solar power for domestic use, we commend you and hope the
information provided here allows you to make an informed judgment about PV
systems.
Renewable energy has almost no environmental impact:
Studies show that more than one third of consumers are willing to pay at least
$10 per month more for energy sources that do not harm the environment. As a
clean and silent energy alternative, PV systems produce no atmospheric
emissions, greenhouse gases, noise pollution or hazardous waste.
Renewable energy is a highly reliable source of electricity:
Renewable energy offers an independent energy source and can keeping electricity flowing
during power outages. Today’s state-of-the-art Renewable energy systems have been so refined
that they can generate sufficient power in all weather conditions – even on
extremely overcast days.
Renewable energy systems are very low-maintenance:
Because modern solar systems have no moving parts and are stress-tested for such
things as hail impact and high wind cycles, occasional visual
checks and battery services are all the maintenance required.
Renewable energy costs very little to operate:
Obviously, Solar systems use sunlight to produce electricity, so the energy source
is free. Once installed, solar panels generates electricity with little upkeep and minimal
operating costs.
Solar power systems are now architecturally designed:
Bulky and intrusive solar power panels are a thing of the past. Today’s
streamlined solar modules – available in a variety of colors and styles - are, in
fact, used as architectural design elements and can be seamlessly incorporated
into roofs, skylights, awnings, entrances and facades.
Global Economy
Across the globe, new business models and political paradigms are recognizing the economic benefits of embracing alternative energy sources. This is because alternative energy, including Solar Power, can play an important role in delivering greater economic prosperity in Western countries and the developing
world.
In Developed Economies:
By reducing the world’s dependence on fossil fuels, renewable energy systems contribute to
stabilizing energy prices and, in turn, to moderating the transport cost
component of commodities and mineral resources. Both of these factors are proven
to be intrinsically linked to improved consumer confidence and economic growth.
Given that they draw on a free and constant energy source, renewable energy systems are
also helping to enhance the reliability of power grids and reduce the costs to
business of power outages. In the U.S. alone, blackouts are estimated to cost
the economy more than $119 billion a year.
In addition, solar energy now supports an industry all of its own and
provides hundreds of thousands of jobs across the globe. With demand growing at
around 25% per annum over the past 15 years, associated industries such as
engineering, science, architecture, construction, planning and industrial design
now generate significant revenue from renewable energy development.
In Developing Economies:
One of the fastest-growing markets for solar power systems is in providing
electricity to villages in developing countries, where the cost of extending
existing utility grids is prohibitive. The provision of a free and plentiful
electricity source via solar power has a resoundingly positive economic impact, both
within these countries and for those nations providing foreign aid.
By delivering power for water supply, refrigeration, lighting, medical
clinics and other basic needs, solar power is contributing enormously to the improvement
of health and hygiene in hundreds of the world’s remote villages. Moreover, many
of these villages are gaining the benefits of improved literacy, education and
communications.
The result of solar power installations in developing nations is a reduced reliance on
economic and humanitarian aid, and an ability to reduce the foreign debt of
third world countries, where as much as 90% of export earnings are used to pay
for imported oil.
Climate Change
Climate change is a rapidly advancing human crisis that threatens millions of
lives, natural species and the environment, according to leading international
scientists.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – a group of thousands of
renowned international scientists who provide authoritative advice on climate
change – predicts drastic negative effects if climate change continues at its
historic levels, including:
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Increased risk of extinction for up to 30% of the world’s natural
species by 2020 and total extinction of 40% of the world’s species by 2080.
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Increased natural disasters – such as flood, wildfire and storms.
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Increased mortality from heat waves, floods and droughts.
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Destruction of coral reefs and melting of polar regions, raising sea
levels by 13 to 20 feet.
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Millions of deaths worldwide and enormous increases in poverty and
hunger.
Climate change is caused by the build-up of carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is produced by human
activities such as employing industrial processes, using fossil fuels as an
energy source and destroying forests which assist in removing carbon dioxide
from the atmosphere.
To address climate change we must dramatically reduce our greenhouse gases
emissions, primarily by moving away from traditional sources of energy to more
efficient and renewable sources. This requires understanding and commitment at
all levels – including government, business and individuals.
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