Harnessing Sunshine's Energy: A Rational Approach to Renewable Energy Production
Let's talk DIY solar power 🎉
In our modern world, it's no secret that little boxes on the side of the road promise you free energy and cheaper electricity. But are these claims worth their salt? And, more importantly, can you do it yourself? Spoiler alert - the answer is a resounding yes! Guide your solar journey with some insights from enthusiast, Brian Potter.
Recently, Brian shed light on the surge of solar power and its growing dominance in the power production arena. He shared fascinating charts showing the declining cost per watt of solar panels, adjusted for inflation. In 1975, a single watt would set you back around $100. Today, it's approximately $0.30! That's quite a dip, but it's not what's stopping us from going solar.
The biggest hurdle to solar power is its intermittent nature. But how much of an issue is it, really? As always, it depends 😜. If you sell energy back to the grid when you've got excess electricity and buy it back when you need it, that might be a smart solution. However, it's more efficient to store your own energy for peak consumption times.
Speaking of storage, that complicates things. If you're aiming to go off-grid, you'll need enough capacity to cover your peak demand and enough storage to meet demands over multiple days during cloudy weather.
There's more to it than just energy storage, but we'll leave the rest for Brian to explain 😏.
So, should you build a home solar power system?
- With the significant decrease in the cost of solar panels over the years, coupled with the potential for energy storage and selling excess power back to the grid, it seems that DIY home solar power could be an efficient and money-saving part of science and technology for those interested.
- As you navigate the DIY solar power path, it's crucial to understand the importance of both science (understanding the technology behind solar panels) and technology (choosing the right equipment for energy storage and usage) to ensure a smooth and effective energy transition at your home.
