We found this map published on the Energy Self-Reliant States website that shows solar power grid parity in most major U.S. metropolitan areas by the year 2027.  The figures are based on projected costs of retail utility scale electricity and continuing lowering of the cost of solar power.  Considering energy cost trends, solar energy will be cheaper than coal in a matter of just a few decades.

The interactive map based on predictions of energy policy analyst John Farrell illustrates the U.S. cities that will achieve solar grid parity first, and those that will follow between now and 2027.  Based on current retail rates for electricity in regions across the nation, and the declining cost of solar power in recent years, Farrell predicts San Diego to be the first to achieve solar power grid parity in 2013, with New York City following in 2015. Just five years thereafter, Farrell expects 17 major metropolitan areas to reach solar grid parity in 2020, reaching 40 regions by 2027.

For more information, see the original article at Yale Environment 360.

Reasons to Switch to Solar Power

Have you been thinking about installing a residential solar system?  Well, now is the time!  The cost of solar panels has dropped more than 40% this decade, and more and more people have changed to solar.

If you are still on the fence, consider these top reasons to switch to solar power:

1.  Reduce Your Electric Bill

Did you know that the average household in America spends over $1,400 each year on electricity?  The year 2010 marked the fifth consecutive year that utility rates have risen.  That means that homeowners are paying 20% more for electricity than they did only a half decade a ago.  Its time to keep more of that hard-earned cash for yourself, and protect against continued rising rates by switching to solar power.  In the first year following solar panel installation, most property owners realize 40% or more in electric bill savings.  These savings stay “locked in,” despite what happens to the economy and future electricity costs.

2. Take Advantage of Sunny Skies

Sunshine helps, but even brighter skies can generate ample solar electricity.  Generally speaking, solar panels are most efficient when exposed to direct sunlight.  However, ambient UV light is sufficient for solar panels to generate ample clean electricity.  If you are eligible for net metering, you can reduce your power bill to zero and even get paid for extra solar power generated during peak periods.

3. Take Advantage of Incentives

Currently, solar rebates and incentives offer  substantial savings on solar installation costs. The U.S. federal program can save you up to 30% off the retail cost to install a photovolatic (PV) solar power system. Most incentive programs have an expiration date, however.  In today’s political climate, continuation of many programs are uncertain.

4. Combat Rising Electricity Demands

Did you know that in the next 25 years, electricity demands will nearly double, according to a 2005 Energy Information Administration report.  Even though we are taking more and more steps to save energy, our consumption is increasing with the size of our homes, number of electronic devices and efforts to stay cool and comfortable year-round via HVAC.  By switching to solar power, you can off-set increasing demands, as well as cut down on energy demands through the insulating effects of installing solar panels on your roof.

5. Save the Environment

It is hard to continue to explain away the bizarre weather experienced around the world over the past decade.  Global climate change is real and its time to step up efforts to reduce CO2 emissions.  Switching to solar power can significantly help.

Wait another 10-15 years, and it might be too late to reverse the trend.

In these five countries, reliance on solar power is increasing with construction of utility-scale solar power plants and more.

Utility scale solar power

Let’s review the top five countries for solar power and what makes them among the leaders worldwide.

1. Germany

For several years now, Germany has topped the list as the best country for solar power, thanks in large part to supportive pricing which led to the addition of a number of high capacity solar energy power plants.  Government incentives and public interest in solar have also encouraged R&D, leading to advances in thin cell solar technology and improvements in solar cell equipment.

2. Spain

Spain ranks number 2 as a top country for solar power production.  The country’s government mandated feed-in-tariff pricing in 2007, which resulted in a rapid increase in solar cell development of over five-fold in a single year!  Spain’s climate makes it an ideal place for solar energy power plants.

3. Japan

In Japan, research and development is leading to new solar technology at an amazing pace, as the country hosts a number of bright and talented scientists and researchers.  Japan’s solar research will help increase the efficiency of solar cells, so that the maximum amount of solar energy can be tapped from sunlight.  The country is also aiming to increase solar power plant capacity from 10% to 40% with the help of government incentives and assistance over the next decade.

4. United States

The United States is a top country for solar power for several reasons: solar technology, research and development, and utility scale solar power plants (concentrating solar power).  Several states have adopted programs to encourage installation of solar panels, including New Jersey and California.  Much of the climate in the U.S. is favorable for the production of solar energy.

5. China

China has come on strong in the solar power world in recent months.  Like other top countries for solar power, China is a leader both for solar technology and development, as well as number of solar energy power plants.  China produces the most solar hot water in the world and accounts for 2/3 of global solar electricity production.  The country is now the world leader in solar PV panel production.

Solar Ship

What if blimps or other aircraft could move through the skies without using polluting energy?  Solar Ship (pictured to the left) has a minimal carbon footprint, using solar energy to power the helium-filled aircraft.

Using solar power, Solar Ship can move through the sky, carrying 2,250 pounds of payload for 1,000 kilometers (621.4 miles).  The company has both solar and hybrid models.  The 100% solar ship Caracal can carry about 330 pounds, while the huge Nanuq can carry 30 metric tons, or an impressive 66,139 pounds!

The Canadian firm envisions its solar ship machines helping with tasks from hauling humanitarian relief to moving payloads for mining operations in remote locations.

Public demonstration of the solar ship aircraft will occur sometime in the summer of 2013. However, you can get a preview of the company’s aeronautical vision below:

What if you could tap into a personal electricity system that uses solar energy and mobile phone technology, rather than grid-based power?  Recently, a UK company called Eight19 announced a solution called IndiGo, which is a pay-as-you-go, personal electricity system for the developing world.  Combining solar power and mobile phone technology subscribers can light their homes and charge mobile phones using scratchcards.

Using solar energy, Eight19 believes it can increase access to electricity for over 1 billion people who are not connected to the grid.  The project will not only help improve the lives of Third World residents by bringing light and refrigeration to the villages, but it also helps minimize the negative impacts of living with kerosene – both via the fumes and expense.

Steve Andrews, CEO of Solar Aid, commented:

“We are excited to be working with Eight19 on this revolutionary technology. Solar energy offers huge economic, health and social benefits to the world’s poorest people; for lighting and mobile phone charging. Eight19’s technology opens up these benefits to many more people. This is a major breakthrough”, said Steve Andrews, CEO of Solar Aid, a charity supporting product trials in Kenya.

Its easy to switch to solar power with the IndiGo system.  Components include a low-cost solar panel, a battery unit with inbuilt mobile phone charger and a high efficiency light emitting diode (LED) lamp. Users can put credit on their IndiGo device using a scratchcard, validated over SMS using a standard mobile phone.

Watch for overall commercial roll-out of IndiGo in early 2012.

Simon Bransfeild-Garth, the CEO of Eight19 comments:

“We are very encouraged by this new way of delivering energy to off-grid applications in emerging markets.  Indigo enables a new generation of solar power products that are affordable, providing customers with access, often for the first time, to clean low cost energy that eliminates the health risks and carbon emissions of kerosene.”

What do you think of this personal electricity system using solar energy?

Transluscent solar cells

Solar technology and research continues to help find more efficient and less expensive ways of generating solar electricity.

One option may be transluscent solar cells (transparent).  Solar panels made using this solar technology, which consists of translucent crystal like cell with transparent backside, are now available for consumer purchase.

Switching to solar power via transluscent solar cells will help you save money in a number of ways.  First, it is only an initial cost investment.  After you pay for the solar panels, you can enjoy free electricity thereafter.  From watching TV, running your refrigerator and heating water with solar energy, you don’t have to rely on grid-based electricity any longer.  This means that you can save money on your utility bills, as well as feel good about the fact that you are not relying on polluting coal-based electricity.

On the downside, transluscent solar cells with this technology require consumers to buy fans and lights for the specialized solar panels.  The energy draw for these operations will reduce efficiency of the panels.  In addition, the upfront costs of switching to solar power are often cost-prohibitive.  You will also need back-up systems to store generated solar energy.

What do you think about transluscent solar cells and solar technology in general?

The truth about solar power

The debate may rage on about global warming and whether there is really a need for renewable energy.  Yet, the truth about solar power may convince some people that switching to solar is a wise choice, both from an economical and environmental standpoint.

Consider these facts from 6 Truths About Solar Energy, an article that originally appeared in Green Chip Stocks. Green Chip Review is a free newsletter which is the first advisory to focus exclusively on investments in alternative and renewable energies.

The reasons why solar power is an American success story include:

1. The solar industry employs more than 100,000 Americans, more than twice as many as in 2009. they work at more than 5,000 companies, the vast majority being small businesses, in all 50 states.
2. The U.S. solar industry grew by 69% in the past year, making it one of the fastest growing sectors in the U.S. economy.
3. Since the beginning of 2010, the price of solar panels has dropped by 30%, and costs continue to fall making solar an even more viable choice for residential and business customers.
4. The U.S. was a net exporter of solar products in 2010 by $2 billion. We were even a net exporter to China.
5. Solar power in the U.S. now exceeds 3,100 megawatts. That’s enough to power more than 630,000 homes.
6. Continued industry growth enhances our energy security and diversifies our domestic energy portfolio.

Based on this information, there are very good reasons to back up solar power as a sound investment.  A number of experts are literally putting their money on solar energy as the next best bet in renewables.  As the costs continue to drop and efficiencies rise, solar power is positioned to exceed everyone’s expectations!

Building Integrated Photovoltaics

As shown above, building integrated photovoltaics is the practice of “building in,” if you will, solar panels or solar cells to a completed structure.  The solar panels become part of the building design.  Thus, instead of using clunky, thick solar panels on your rooftop, BIPV may include “peel and stick” solar panels, solar windows, solar paint and solar shingles.

When you go with building integrated photovoltaics, you not only improve the appearance of your building, but you can also save money on both materials and installations.

There are several primary types of BIVP:

1.  Solar Roofing

Solar roofing using BIPV technology consists primarily of solar shingles or solar tiles, but can also incorporate peel and stick solar panels (also known as solar laminate panels). The thin profile is aesthetically pleasing and often virtually invisible, as the roofing material is literally incorporated into the roof itself.

If you own a metal or flat roof, solar laminate panels may be for you.  They are easy to install and you can have solar power within a hour!

2.  Solar Paint

Solar paint has great promise. It incorporates dye-sensitized solar cells under a layer of electrolyte or titanium dioxide and is painted onto sheets of metal.  When sunlight hits the solar cells, it excites molecules that function as light absorbers. Electrons are released into the titanium layer of the paint which acts as a circuit. Electrons move into the dye, generating electricity.

Compared to regular PV solar cells, solar paint can absorb sunlight across the spectrum, including low radiation frequencies.  And, it is more cost-effective to construct a building with components that incorporate solar paint than later installing solar panels.

Solar windows

3. Solar Windows

Miniature PV cell technology can also be used on windows coated with semi-transparent solar cells. Solar windows have a solar film rolled onto a glass pane to reduce UV light and glare, and to provide shading for the interior of a building (consider west-facing windows late in the afternoon). The film has an insulating effect – reducing heat during the hottest part of the day, and preventing its escape when it cools down. In other words, while you are capturing solar energy and converting it to free electricity, you can also be lowering your heating and A/C costs.

There are a variety of hues of solar film for windows, and the options range from nearly transparent to heavy shade, depending on your desires.  The technology has also been applied to sun roofs in vehicles – the 2010 Toyota Prius is an excellent example.

Soft Rocker Combines Solar Power with Urban Design

Cool, sleek lines are obvious in these photos of the solar rocker.  Designed to resemble a leaf, the rocker includes solar panels on its top which generate renewable, portable solar electricity.  The structure uses softwood panels that are “mass-customized” to adapt to the angle of the sun at any site, with parametric design software.

The Soft Rockers at MIT are truly an ingenious design.  The chair literally self-adjusts based on the weight and position of the person inside so as to maximize solar exposure.  Using the human power of balance, a soft rocker detects body weight and automatically positions its tilt towards the sun to absorb the maximum amount of solar energy.  Each Soft Rocker can create an interactive 1.5 axis 35 watt solar tracking system using this technology.  Then, the solar energy generated can be stored by soft power electronics that charge the rocker’s battery.

Hang out in a solar powered soft rocker at MIT

If the ingenious design and concept isn’t impressive enough, consider that the Soft Rockers include a USB port that allows users to plug in portable electronics for a cool, lazy afternoon of music, or perhaps more realistically a boost for computers or cell phones so that these smart students can continue to “generate” high grades!

Toyta is going solar in the UK

Auto manufacturers are increasingly turning to renewable energy to cut costs and save energy.  This week, we heard that solar panels on the Toyota manufacturing plant in the UK are planned to be installed, allowing Toyota to use solar energy to build cars.

Partnering with British Gas, Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK submitted a land use application seeking approval of a ground-mounted solar array that will include 17,000 solar panels.  It will be sited on industrial land within the Toyota plant’s perimeter fence.

The solar installation will offset about 5% of the electricity demand of its plant in Burnaston.  Perhaps more impressively, Toyota’s solar panels will prevent 45,000 tons of CO2 from going into the atmosphere over the life of the project.

Toyota Deputy Managing Director, Tony Walker, commented:

“Using solar power to supply electricity to the plant underlines our commitment to the UK’s low-carbon economy and our own ambitions to further reduce our carbon footprint.”

Toyota and British Gas will enter a solar power purchase agreement, whereby British Gas will install and own the solar panels, and will claim the feed-in tariff, and the clean solar electricity generated by the solar array will be purchased by Toyota at a rate lower than grid-based power.