Abundant solar energy from the skies above!

The sun is shining again today in beautiful Bend, Oregon.  Fall is an unpredictable time of year here – from 4 inches of snow on October 4, to a 75 degree day on October 14.  But you can count on one thing here in the High Desert: abundant solar energy!

The local Chamber of Commerce claims that there are 300 days of sunshine each year.  There are times that I doubt that statistic!  Yet, even if they are off by 20 or 30 days…. you’ll still see a number of solar panel installations around town.  From local businesses to residential developments, many people here are harnessing free solar energy for their power needs.  Even a new elementary school has employed solar panels on its roof.

There are local businesses here in Bend that focus entirely on helping people convert to renewable energy, including the Bend Green Team and 3E Strategies.  One of the nation’s leading solar inverter manufacturers, PV Powered, continues to grow despite the recession.  It has big plans to become the largest employer in Central Oregon!  Even utility-scale solar power is on the horizon here, with several projects in development.

While Bend (and Oregon overall) is a leader with respect to solar energy, the industry has a whole has been growing both nation- and world-wide.  Component prices have dropped by 50% recently, and there are generous tax incentives and rebates offered at all levels of government.  Its a great time to go solar!

Harness the abundant solar energy that reaches earth each day!

To put into perspective the amount of abundant solar energy available to us, consider that the amount of solar energy reaching the earth in a a single year is double that which could be generated by all other types of non-renewables (gas, coal, oil, etc.) combined (source: Wikipedia).

A common myth that many people believe is that it always has to be sunny for solar energy to be effective.  Not true.  Germany is a leader with respect to solar power worldwide; it certainly is not one of the sunniest locations!  However,sSolar panels do need exposure to UV light to absorb the energy, which will be converted to usable electricity.  South-facing roofs and adequate space to avoid shading are necessary.

As new laws are passed and additional incentives created to convert to solar power, people will probably wonder one day… what took so long?

In our next post, we’ll review some of the reasons Germany and other European nations are leading the way with respect to solar power.  And, we’ll discuss how to increase the use of abundant solar energy in our own hometowns.