When Will Solar Get the Recognition It Deserves?

One start-up files for bankruptcy, and suddenly solar energy gets more media attention in one week than it receives in a year.

And you know what? We’ll take it.

Solar energy is poised for expansion, with technologies that have readied it for widespread use throughout the world. The day will soon come when solar makes more sense to the general public than energies derived from fossil fuel, though not without resistance.

In one sense, over-reactions to incidents like Solyndra‘s failure can be seen as progress.

Any list of the world’s leaders include a number that bank their profits on fossil fuels. Historically, companies whose technologies have become outdated rarely give up without a fight. When the corporations hold influence over much of the world’s economies, the fight can get nasty.

And those whose fortunes depend upon a dying resource will resist solar energy until the day that it becomes more profitable for them to embrace it.

Astronomical strides in technology

The solar industry is making solar energy cheaper, faster and smarter at an accelerating rate. This year saw Dow’s release of a solar shingle product that lets you go solar simply by re-roofing your home.

An Arizona company developed a form of pavement with built-in solar cells. They are currently replacing their company parking lot with the material.

The overall cost to install solar systems has dropped by over 43 percent in just 12 years. Solar has made astronomical strides in technology that few could have predicted.

Are solar costs a barrier?

For those who find installation costs a barrier, no- or low-cost leasing options are available all over the country. Forward-looking companies like Google are investing millions into funds that make it possible to lease residential solar systems with no upfront costs.

Millions of Americans can now lower their monthly electrical bills through solar leasing programs, and can lower America’s dependence on fossil fuels at the same time.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing, for every $1 saved in annual electrical bills, a home’s value is raised by $20. How’s that for curb appeal?

As recent world events have shown, when the people of a nation persistently call for change, change can happen.

History also demonstrates that change almost always comes from the bottom up, rarely from the top down.Clean, renewable solar energy will take its rightful place in the world one by one, household by household, and business by business.

Every homeowner that makes the decision to go solar is part of the solution to the world’s energy crisis. Every solar array that appears on a residential rooftop encourages neighbors to follow suit.

Every American that stands up for solar is going above and beyond the call of a duty, paying all the respect that this truly amazing technology deserves.

For information on solar power in your area, click here.

When Will Solar Get the Recognition It Deserves?