As more barriers cross our path towards combating climate change, the more motivation is added to our fight for renewable energies. With Trump’s pullback from the Paris Agreement, the only answer to this is to continue expansion of solar power possibilities worldwide.
As China and other players in Asia lead the way, we’re seeing pricing drop significantly on solar energies, and more nuclear and coal plants being left behind. The Renewable Energies Status Report for 2017 shows that 161 gigawatts (GW) had been installed worldwide in 2016, showing an overall increase of almost 9% since 2015, with solar energy representing 47% of that capacity.
The report also predicts the continually increase of solar demand, with a steady incline for solar projects to be implemented by the end of 2017. If pace and momentum continues, we’re looking at doubling solar production by 2019, and tripling by 2021.
Although growth is stemming from the need for more renewable energy sources, it’s also thanks to the falling price of solar technology. In 2010, we were looking at around 35 cents per kilowatt hour. In sunny countries, such as China and Saudi Arabia, where larger plants are being installed, we’re now looking at prices around 2 – 3 cents per kilowatt hour. Even Germany’s solar pricing has significantly declined to around 6 cents per kilowatt, and they aren’t even getting half the amount of sunshine. Solar is generally becoming cheaper than new gas, coal and nuclear plants, and home solar rooftop panels are making it even more accessible and affordable for households to take advantage of the renewable energy source.The only way to beat ‘em, is to join ‘em in their game. Go for the gold and invest in the most economical, environmentally friendly, and accessible way to obtain electricity. We can beat climate change, and it all starts with you.
