02 Mar Sun to Solar: The sun is a free and unlimited source of energy. Why don’t we use it more?

Our universe is full of so many magnificent and powerful energies—many of which we know of and use daily, and some we probably still have yet to learn of, or at least learn how to use sustainably. One of the most incredible, simple, and useful sources of energy is solar. The sun is so incredibly strong, that in just one hour it emits enough energy onto our planet that it could theoretically power the entire earth for a year.

Photo via Google

With power this strong, renewable, and as easy to access as just walking outside, it’s a wonder more homes, businesses, and farms don’t utilize solar energy for their electricity. In fact, only five-tenths of one percent of U.S. energy consumed is solar, although solar has been experiencing an average annual growth rate of 68% in the past decade. Investing in solar panels—panels made of solar cells that split and generate electricity when exposed to the sun—can provide so many benefits, including:

• Reduced or eliminated electric bills
• Return on investment- the average American homeowner pays off their solar panel system in seven to eight years and sees an ROI of 20 percent or more.
• Protection against rising energy costs
• Increase property value
• Helps boost U.S. energy independence
• Creates jobs by increasing the demand for solar workers
• Protect the environment by reducing up to three to four tons of carbon emissions a year

Your home isn’t the only property that can reap great benefits from the sun. Farmers can save money on their properties by integrating it within their operation, as well as use land that maybe isn’t as productive, and integrate a solar farm on their property to provide electricity. The same goes for many other businesses looking to fuel their operations in a cheaper and more sustainable way.

Photo via Vattenfall

I recently met with the Founder of Array of Solar, Jeremy Austin.  Jeremy and his team have built a wonderful company as solar integrators setting up solar farms and integrating solar into homes and businesses.  Jeremy was so kind to answer these questions for me.

1. Even with the latest tax tariffs the Trump administration placed on solar panels, should we be concerned with the future costs of integrating solar into our homes, businesses or farms?

Not at all. When you factor the rising cost of electricity, and the never ending monthly payments, solar is always a cheaper option. We currently use American made solar panels on residential installations, so we are insulated from the tariff itself. The industry as a whole is already expecting an increase of 5% for renewable energy supplies. Even with this small increase, it is still a drop in the bucket to what can be saved by switching to solar.

2. What is it that makes you passionate/motivated about the future of solar?

Passion is really the reason why we are in solar and what brought the Array of Solar team together to begin with. Solar gives homeowners a better choice. We’ve learned that it’s a cheaper and better option to own our cars and houses than it is to rent them. Electricity is no different. Why pay for someone else’s electricity when you can produce your own?

Our passion comes from the belief that it is a better choice to put money into your own pocket than it is to give it to the electric company. We also believe that every homeowner should have the freedom from rising costs and the ability to invest in their own future verses investing in corporations and those corporation’s interests.

One of our recent installations was for a young family with 4 children. By installing solar on their home, they were able to save just over $44,000. They were excited and talked about paying off their home more quickly or starting a college fund for their family with those savings. This is why we do what we do.

If you would like to learn more about Array of Solar, please visit them online at:  www.arrayofsolar.com

To learn more about solar, you can visit:  https://www.energysage.com/solar/