Some people look at solar energy from a purely environmental perspective. Others might acknowledge the benefits it has to our planet but focuses primarily on the long-term cost savings. Most people, however, tend to fall somewhere between the two sides of the spectrum, embracing solar energy for both the environmental and financial aspects of the technology. While your friends at Golden Solar are certainly doing what we can by assisting the fine people and companies of Colorado with their solar energy needs, we would be remiss if we didn’t recognize other green technologies that are playing their part in the solution. As a matter of fact, many of the innovations in the green technology space are surprising in both context and application. While these are just a couple of the examples available, they collectively demonstrate the ingenuity of the many different people working toward the same goal — finding cost-effective, innovative solutions to our ever-increasing energy demands.

A New Meaning to Microbrew

An ice-cold beer might be synonymous with tailgating at a football game or maybe a weekend barbecue, but rarely have beer and the environment been seen as mutually beneficial. The Alaskan Brewing Company, however, has been actively trying to change that since 1998. Recognizing the pristine location of its headquarters in Juneau, the company uses a series of technological innovations to not only clean up the brewing process but actually remove excess CO2 emissions from the local environment. While the efforts to eliminate its CO2 footprint and preserve water are certainly commendable, it’s the company’s unique Spent Grain Steam Boiler that’s especially interesting to those in the clean energy industry. Although not common knowledge, the brewery process has had an age-old problem when it comes to disposing of the spent grain left over from every batch produced. Most breweries distribute their spent grain as feed for cattle to local farmers. However, since there are no cattle in Juneau, the Alaskan Brewing Company had to choose between shipping out its spent grain or developing a new technology to process it. Not wanting to increase its carbon footprint by relying on trucks to ship its spent grain, the company created a technology that allowed it to fuel the brewery’s steam boiler with that spent grain. By the following year, the technology was operational and the Alaskan Brewing Company was well on its way to reducing its overall oil use by more than 65 percent. So, the next time you tip back a cold one, remember that even brewers are doing their part to create ecologically friendly energy sources.

Mirror, Mirror on the Farm

Not to be outdone, the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project outside Las Vegas is putting vanity to work by creating a mirror farm, 10,000 mirrors strong, to help power the insatiable energy demands of Sin City. Once again creating a unique technology born from the demands of the local environment, the farm is made up of thousands of mirrors, each the size of a small house, spread out in a series of concentric circles in the middle of the Nevada desert. Each mirror has been individually calibrated to follow the path of the sun and reflect the light toward a massive receiver filled with salt. The molten salt retains an internal temperature of almost 1,000 degrees F, even during the night when the receiver is collecting no reflected sunlight. The mirror farm instantly creates power by releasing heat stored within the salt, turning water into steam that drives generators and creates energy. Although the project comes with a hefty $1 billion price tag, it’s still more cost-efficient than building a new coal or nuclear plant, with far less environmental impact. At Golden Solar, we like to relay stories of other organizations accelerating sustainable energy technologies that will ultimately help both the environment and the wallet. As always, we will continue to do our part for our neighbors throughout Colorado.

  With an increase in pollution as well as a limited amount of resources, it’s imperative to find alternative sources of energy. Because of advancements in technology, it’s now easier than ever to harness power from the sun. Solar energy is increasingly becoming an attractive option for both homeowners and businesses. There are several great reasons you should go solar.

1. Substantial Savings

When you go solar you can begin enjoying the benefits right away. The longer you continue to use solar power the more your savings will increase. Having solar energy can increase the value of your home. There are also tax incentives when investing in solar power. These can include the Solar Investment Tax Credit that enables you to take up to 30 percent of installation costs off your taxes. Whether it’s for your home, business or a non-profit, going solar can save you money.

2. Easy Maintenance

Solar panels are generally easy to maintain. Energysage reports that solar panels are very durable and often last 25 years or longer. It’s important, however, to have your panels regularly maintained and monitored to make sure they’re operating as efficiently as possible. While some homeowners may want to clean their own panels, it’s recommended to leave maintenance to trained professionals.

3. Environmentally Friendly

Solar energy is a renewable resource, protects natural resources and generally creates little to no pollution. Compared to other sources, such as coal, solar energy provides an excellent source of environmentally friendly power. Fossil fuels are not only detrimental to the environment but they are considered a limited resource. Installing a solar system is a great way for you to use a pure, clean source of energy.

4. Home Friendly

Solar panels can generate an adequate amount of electricity to power an entire house. Whatever type of home or building structure you may have, there are a variety of solar options available. Traditional roof mounts can be used for many types of homes. If you receive a lot of snow, a pole mount may work best for your home. Ground mounts can be customized if you need a larger system. Whether you’ve decided to go solar or are looking for more information, Golden Solar can provide experienced solar energy services. They feature a variety of solar panel options including roof, ground and pole mounts. From design and installation to replacement and repair, they can provide all your solar panel needs. Contact Golden Solar for more information.

The future of solar energy in the United States isn’t solely dependent on technological innovation. While advancements in photocell capacities will certainly play a significant part in solar reaching its tremendous potential, many other factors play critical roles in the future adoption levels of solar energy technologies. Although not as often discussed as the innovations that propel the industry, policymakers at the state and federal levels of government play an equally important role in determining the future popularity of solar systems.

Tax Incentives

Tax reform and overhaul were primary talking points throughout last year’s presidential campaigns. While legislation has yet to introduce which particular aspects of our tax code due for overhaul, it’s safe to assume that itemized deductions and various tax incentives will play a pivotal role in the process. Of course, tax incentives have become synonymous with solar energy systems at both the individual consumer and business levels. Redefining any such incentives could very well have a significant impact on the overall adoption rates of new solar systems. As important as climate issues are to the majority of Americans, affordability will always be a critical concern in the overall viability of solar energy. To put it more concisely, tax breaks make solar technologies more affordable. Losing tax incentives will have an obvious effect on the popularity of solar systems going forward. Although the current solar tax incentive is not due to sunset until 2022, the forward-looking nature of the marketplace will have an immediate impact if similar incentives are not carried further into the future.

Subsidies

Over the last two decades, renewable energies have relied on substantial government subsidies to fund technological innovation. However, given the current political landscape, it is incumbent on the solar industry to prove it can provide a cost-effective solution that serves as an economically viable alternative to our standard electricity providers. This very notion represents a conundrum of sorts since lower costs are dependent on technological advancements that, paradoxically, are themselves dependent on further funding. In other words, the solar industry is largely dependent on government subsidies to drive innovations that will continue to make it more affordable for the average consumer. However, those government subsidies will likely be dependent on the industry’s ability to bring costs down. A cut in such subsidies will have a sudden and lasting impact on the research solar relies on to continually evolve.

The Bottom Line

Although domestic policy will always have a substantial impact on adoption rates due to tax incentives and federal subsidies, there’s no doubt that solar energy technology is already deeply rooted. While affordability measures might vary according to the leanings from Washington, individuals, families and companies alike will continue to seek eco-friendly solutions for their energy needs. Golden Solar will likewise continue to offer those very solutions for our neighbors throughout Colorado. The post Policy and Solar: A Pivotal Relationship appeared first on Golden Solar.

Solar energy is often viewed as a new, innovative technology, but the truth is, it has been utilized by humans for thousands of years. Although it was once a niche within the market, solar energy is now the future. Whether you are interested in conservation or want to save money, solar power is for everyone. Considering approximately 75 million barrels of oil could be saved annually through the use of solar energy, the savings are hard to ignore. Consumers are beginning to take notice — and this is just the beginning. Residents and businesses across the globe are making the switch. Here are three reasons why.

1. The Demand Is Already Significantly Increasing

Solar energy is currently one of the highest growing sectors within the United States and for good reason. In 2013, the demand for solar power has increased by an incredible 41 percent across the nation, with residential projects jumping a whopping 60 percent over the year prior. In fact, in 2013, the number of photovoltaic panels that were installed provided enough power for more than 3.5 million homes — not to mention the use of solar power across major corporations. Companies such as Apple continue to invest in solar energy because they have witnessed first-hand its capabilities in terms of performance and cost.

2. It Is Renewable and Environmentally Friendly

As the world becomes more mindful of the environment, consumers and businesses are taking the initiative required to reduce their carbon footprint. By investing in solar energy, you can be a part of something greater and help offset CO2 emissions by eliminating the use of non-clean energy sources like coal. To put this into perspective, the average solar-energy system (approximately 7.5 kW within the state of Colorado) generates power for 25-plus years that will offset 120 tons of CO2. This is, equivalent to planting over 1,250 trees or recycling 40 tons of waste. Because it is 100 percent sustainable and comes from an inexhaustible energy source, solar energy is a long-term solution to our growing power needs. Unlike coal and natural gas, which are limited in supply, the sun’s consistent energy can be converted into heat, electricity, water, and even air conditioning, providing a reliable source, for industry, homes, and businesses.

3. It Is Low Maintenance and Cost-Effective

Electricity prices have continued to steadily rise, making consumers warm to the idea of solar power. Based on the increased demand, more solar panels are being produced, reducing the cost significantly in the past decade or so. Also, with no moving parts, there is very little maintenance involved once installation is complete. Best of all, for those who invest in solar energy, the federal government will provide a solar tax credit. Allowing consumers to deduct 30 percent of the installation cost from their federal taxes, this financial benefit applies to both commercial and residential solar systems. There are also additional incentives and rebates available, making solar energy an attractive choice for communities across the globe. The sun is like one big battery for us all to share. It provides the energy of the people. With so many reasons to say ‘yes’ to this renewable source of power, it’s clear that the future is certainly bright. The post 3 Reasons Solar Energy Will Brighten Our Future appeared first on Golden Solar.