“I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.”
Thomas Edison, 1931
The solar industry is booming. As the costs for solar panels have come down, the realization is setting in that being powered by sun is a win-win. It not only reduces our reliance on fossil fuels, but it is also a smart financial decision. The burgeoning solar industry is creating jobs while helping transition us toward sustainable, clean energy.
Solar everywhere
More and more solar panels are cropping up on homes, businesses, and fields. Government entities are getting in the game as well. For example, in a previous post, I wrote about a school in Arkansas that transitioned to solar. They saved enough money to balance their budget and give all their teachers a raise.
The creative minds working on renewable energy solutions are coming up with clever places to install solar.
Parking lots
Covering parking lots with solar panels not only powers businesses with renewable energy, but also gives people shade and protection from rain. Additionally, it is efficient, because it generates power close to where it’s needed.
Waterways
Another innovative idea is placing solar panels over canals, or floating on other bodies of water. In areas of the country suffering from drought and water shortages, covering canals with solar panels generates energy, while saving precious water by reducing evaporation.
Landfills
I just read about another creative solution: covering closed landfills with solar arrays. Once landfills are capped and covered with grass, they may look appealing, but they’re unsuitable for development. Because they’re unstable and full of hazardous material, they are referred to as “brownfields”.
Repurposing brownfields with solar panels creates “brightfields”. Just the name makes me smile. With over 10,000 closed landfills across the US, there is significant potential for clean energy. For example, if we covered all capped landfills with solar panels, it would create enough energy to power the whole state of South Carolina!
Two such brighfields – in Columbus, OH and Houston, TX – are each powering 5,000 homes a year. There are more brightfields in development than ever before.
Solutions
There is no one magic solution to phase out fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy. Instead, we need to implement as many solutions, as quickly as possible, to avoid the worst outcomes of climate change.
Do you have influence at a business, school, or other organization? Why not advocate for exploring solar options? Maybe you could be powered by sun too. Help solve climate change and save money at the same time.
Let’s do something about climate change. Learn about it. Think about it. Talk about it.