What is Solar PV
Solar PV or Solar Photovoltaics is a way to harness the energy of our sun to provide electricity. The historic problem with solar has been storage. In the past Solar energy was not a viable 24-hour source of electric power. Lead-acid and other batteries were historically a source of energy storage, and are still in use today, but with limitations. In recent years the Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LiFePo) battery has made strong inroads to overcome some of the limitations of liquid chemical batteries posses. Solar PV has the ability to provide the world with the necessary power requirements for neighborhoods, and villages around the world.
Solar energy is the future for our energy needs. For more than 100 years we (global community) have relied heavily on fossil fuels to move us about the world, heat our homes and provide electric power to our various communities. Fossil fuels are a finite resource, as over time those fossil fuel source will be depleted.
Here are a few strategies for using solar.
- A few Solar panels coupled with a charge controller for DC lights and appliances.
- Many Solar panels couples with a solar inverter to offset energy usage.
- Solar panels coupled with off-grid inverter and battery for total energy use.
Each day many people benefit from solar energy. The applications of solar are found everywhere, in small devices like your calculator and watches to solar-powered lights.
Our energy dependence problem.
Humans in the industrial world have become comfortable daily with the status quo of energy availability. The task is to rethink our existence to ensure survival and human viability on the planet. We have become so comfortable with the availability of energy to the point it is not in our consciousness until it is not available. Time to wake up.
Why Do We Need Solar?
Solar energy is one of the cleanest producers of electricity and heat. To ensure the viability of our species we must rethink our carbon emission footprint on this planet. Since the sun provides enough energy in a day to power the planet for at least a year. Why not move to put some solar in your life?
Most people think for solar to be viable energy provision, cloudless skies are required. On very cloudy days there is still enough photons from the sun to provide our electricity needs.
Honestly, solar electricity and heating can help us greatly once we move our mindset to a different perspective than the current. As we move towards electric cars, bikes and more electric driven devices our electric energy requirements will grow, as our fossil fuels dwindle.
Moving to solar energy can ensure better health for the planet and humans as the exhaust and byproducts of fossil fuels cause many health problems.
Where is Solar Available
Wherever there is sunlight there is the possibility of a solar energy future. Bright sunlight is the best for energy production, but not absolutely necessary. There have even been cases where light from a full moon has caused commercial and large residential solar installation have produced power. This little fact helps the understanding of how little illumination is required to produce electricity in some instances.
The Growing Job force.
Once upon a time in America, the country was an economic force as we manufactured things the world needed. As the cost of doing business in the United States grew with our Fiat economy, production of good moved to places where it is less expensive to do business, such as Mexico and Asia.
Service Economy
The United States of America has become a service economy. The days of graduating high school and working for a manufacturer is a thing of the past for the most part. Yes, there are still those occupations available but are far less available as they were in the latter part of the 20th century.
We have moved to the service economy dominated by the “gig” economy as the go-to money maker. Our culture now is permeated by the sale of items manufactured elsewhere or services we can provide.
One such service area exploding in the market is the Solar energy sector which is growing as new communities adopt solar in their communities.
Here is a list of occupations available in the solar industry.
- Finance- financing solar projects
- Design – Designing solar installations for residential and commercial.
- Permitting – Understanding and consulting solar installers for various jurisdictions.
- Sales – selling solar projects, parts, and services.
- Education – educating consumers and professionals.
- Application – finding new applications for solar energy use.
- Carports – building charging stations for electric cars.
Solar Industry – Get Involved
Understanding the Solar energy industry is not very complicated on a basic level. It comes down to basic math and understanding the various applications for solar.
List of Organizations and websites.
NABCEP is North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners helps to keep solar professionals up to date and educated in best practices for solar.
SEIA – Solar Energy Industry Association. SEIA has local chapter branches based on state jurisdictions.
Solarpvtrainingclass.com – New 2019 website for education and solar gear information for DIY and individuals interested in Solar PV.
follow on Solar PV training Class on Instagram