by Elen Gevorgian
COVID-19 turmoil once again restated the human priorities, becoming a game-changer in the energy industry. No wonder that after COVID- 19 lockdowns, countries experience an increase in the use of renewable energy. In less than ten weeks, renewable energy consumption in the US has increased by around 40%. Today renewable energy constitutes 72% of new power capacity. This happened due to weaker consumption of electricity and stronger incentives proposed by progressive countries who felt the urge to lead a more responsible lifestyle all over the world. Renewable energy increase is attributable to the rise of wind and solar energy consumption. The solar industry’s continuous innovation forced its price to fall by around 80%, making solar energy cheaper, hence more accessible and attractive. Workplaces in the solar industry have skyrocketed by 160 % since 2010, nine times average employment growth in the US. As a result, for the first time in the 130 years of history, solar energy consumption surpasses coal, the number one trigger of global warming. And this is just the beginning to uncover inexhaustible solar potential. Solar energy has become a new favorite form of investment.
Today portable solar panel kits are cheaper than ever, providing you plenty of options to install on small grid-off cabins, homes, boats, RVs, and other applications. It does not matter whether you are handy for solar panel installation, solar panel kits can come with DIY solar panels and other attributes to make your installation process cheaper and smoother. Depending on your preferences and goals, you can choose kits with corresponding capacity. Another question arises whether it’s worthwhile to install solar panel kits. The answer is a strong yes and is backed up by various states’ benefits and incentives, encouraging you to go solar.
So, what is in it for you to go solar? Reducing your carbon footprint on climate change is not the only win when going solar. There are other short-term visible benefits that you can reap from going solar. You become independent from the grid. This implies that you become less affected by the crazy fluctuations in electricity prices. Moreover, you get the chance to avoid unprecedented power outages such as rolling blackouts. In addition, you save money on your electricity bills, getting the opportunity to spend the savings on more valuable goals. Are you still not convinced? Then check up on your state’s appealing offers to go solar.
Why is it better to go solar now rather than later? There are new forming trends that aim to make solar energy usage mandatory in the future. California is the first state to adopt a solar mandate requiring solar system installation for newly constructed houses starting from January 1st, 2020. This mandate plans to achieve more than 1 GW of new solar in the state by 2025. Other states that plan to follow California’s example by 2022 are Texas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Colorado, Michigan, Maryland, and Minnesota. In all those states combined, more than a quarter-million houses are built each year, which shortly will be subject to the solar mandate. This signals that soon the incentives offered by the state will give their place to the law. After all, there will be no need to spend substantial funds to motivate an act that is required by law. As an illustration, California decreases the offered tax return from 26% to 22% for 2021.
All in all, solar energy is a convenient way to lead a sustainable lifestyle. Everyone should realize that he/she is responsible for leading a sustainable life to inherit an environment worth living. Sooner or later, everyone will be forced to go solar; why not do it today, reaping all the incentives offered by the states?
Elen is a content writer at Solar Industry, passionate about analyzing and presenting the enormous opportunities the solar industry provides.
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