Solar Power is the fastest growing power generation technology in the world. Although it is by no means a new technology, it has been gaining momentum; approximately 66% of installed world solar power capacity has been installed in the past two and a half years.
Similarly, in the UK, solar power installations have surged over the last few years, driven by incentives and falling costs. Installations range from solar farms to commercial and domestic panels.
Solar panel electricity systems, also known as solar photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun’s energy using photovoltaic cells. There is a presumption that this technology needs direct sunlight to work, however that is not the case. PV cells can still generate electricity on a cloudy day. The cells convert solar energy into electricity, which can be used to run offices and households.
Last December, nearly 200 countries adopted the historic Paris Agreement on climate change, creating the first universal agreement to drive the world towards a zero-carbon, renewable energy future. Governments signalled an end to the fossil fuel era, committing to cut greenhouse gas emissions and to avoid the very real and dangerous effects of climate change.
The UK is already legally bound by the Climate Change Act to reduce emissions 80% by 2050, however there is a call for the long-term global goal of reducing carbon emissions to zero to be enshrined in UK law. This ambitious aim seeks to build on the success of the Paris Agreement, and keep up the momentum towards a clean energy future.
After years of fraught attempts to get governments and industry on the path towards renewable, clean energy, it seems the transition may finally be underway. The science and technology has been available for years, it’s just been a matter of adoption. Solar power is one of the cheapest and cleanest sources of energy there is. The energy we get from the sun occurs naturally and is here to stay. It’s an ever-existing and abundant resource, it’s just a matter of being able to harness it.
Besides reducing contribution to Global Warming, the production and use of solar energy is one of the safest forms of power generation; it presents very few, if any, environmental hazards. Furthermore, the maintenance requirements for the solar energy systems are very low. There are no running costs during the production of solar energy; once the system has been installed, the generation of power is free, for the entire lifespan of the system.
Despite a recent reduction in government incentives paid to those producing solar power, a commercial or domestic property’s ability to generate their own electricity will save money in the long term. The wholesale price of gas and electricity continues to rise, whereas an integrated energy solution such as solar power requires only a once off expense.
Voltix Services design and install solar energy systems to new and existing buildings, and will continue to provide ongoing maintenance to ensure optimum efficiency. If you are looking for an integrated energy solution for your business, visit www.voltixservices.co.uk.