Green energy. Now that sounds really cool, because the idea of using technology, which isn’t polluting this beautiful planet and providing energy is something that surely every human inhabitant would want, right? The first Green energy that comes up in most people’s minds is solar power, and it makes perfect sense to utilise it to the maximum, so that the older fossil fuels are a thing of the past. Green energy is also one of the most rapidly expanding industries in the world right now, because people want to do their part in helping to save the Earth. Let’s take a look at how solar powered devices are changing our world.
1 – The Reduction in Prices for Solar Panels
The biggest reason people have avoided solar power in the past, is that it was deemed too expensive and inefficient to be worth their time. Prices on solar panels and have dropped up to 60% since 2011.
2 – Increase in the Efficiency of Panels
Solar panels typically ran at an efficiency level of around 15%, which is measured by the difference between how much sun hits the panel and how much energy comes out of it. Solar energy has become more efficient in recent years, and newer panels are putting out 22% more consistently. Solar system repairs have also dropped in price.
3 – Cars are being developed that can run on solar power. Imagine that!
4 – The alternative to solar, hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to produce natural gas, is not affordable in many countries; it uses enormous amounts of precious water, damages the environment, and produces huge methane emissions.
5 – Solar-panel paint – A technology called SolarWindow, is made from the world’s smallest organic solar cells, about a quarter of the size of a grain of rice. The Universities of Sheffield and Cambridge, England, have also developed solar cells that can actually be sprayed onto surfaces including windows, car roofs, and buildings. The idea is to produce low-cost solar technology, making it more widespread, especially in developing countries.
6 – Food shortages and varying food prices will no longer be a problem.
Lighting and imaging technologies will improve crop production year round and diminish the problems of traditional farming. This means that disease and environmental factors will be less of an issue.
7 – Thermal Solar water heating system – This has to be one of the most cost effective solar devices which will pay for itself in a couple of years. Based in W. Australia and in need of Solar Repairs in Perth? Make sure to use a qualified and professional business for all your solar needs.
8 – Australian scientists have found a way of hugely increasing the efficiency of solar panels while substantially reducing their cost. Researchers at the University of NSW have created a photovoltaic panel design that is a decade ahead of its time, and involves using hydrogen atoms to counter defects in silicon cells used in solar panels. Therefore, poor quality silicon can be made to perform like high quality wafers. Silicon wafers account for more than half the cost of making a solar cell.
So the future looks brighter, cleaner and more positive on this beautiful planet!
