California is well known throughout the country as being a state where great things are discovered. In the mid-1800’s, the gold rush brought over three hundred thousand settlers to the state, making it one of the largest findings of the century. While “gold fever” may have come and gone over a hundred years ago, a new technology is creating an even greater stir amongst west coast residents. The common family might not keep a close eye on their claims any longer, but the energy bill is a totally different story. That’s why many engineers and other scientists are deeming this century the era of “solar fever”.
Solar energy has been climbing the ranks of popular energy supply in every nation, but the results are most obvious in California. San Francisco solar power is plentiful, and you can find solar panels on the roofs a thousands of residents in the state. In the short amount of time since the beginning of the millennium, the number of rooftop solar panel systems increased from five hundred to over fifty thousand. In fact, more than a quarter of all of the United States’ solar jobs occur in the Golden State. The solar capacity of the state alone has breached an impressive 2 gigawatts – nearly the same amount that could be produced by a pair of large coal-burning power plants.
What is the next step in advancing solar energy? A good first step for anyone is to follow and support legislature regarding solar energy. One of the most recent bills seeking to increase the likelihood of improved solar energy in California is SB43. If SB43 is passed, customers will be allowed to purchase energy that is collected from solar harvesting farms without needing to purchase their own equipment. This would reduce the cost of power greatly, and also be a completely environmentally friendly resolution to problems such as strip mining. With enough support SB43 could revolutionize the way we perceive energy costs.
If you have the time and money, investing in a “Solar Friendly” company is another great choice. Many industries will take upfront donations to help drive research and development for solar energy. These donations are treated like investments, and returns are paid out depending on how much revenue the project manages to make. Not only is this procedure helpful to the overall study of solar power, but it may even become profitable to those who are willing to help. Why not do your share and become part of the biggest shift in energy reliance since the discovery of electricity?