How Distributed Solar Has Grown
Dear Friends & Neighbors,
Map of Distributed Solar in USA (data provided by ILSR, map attribution: Energy Democracy Initiative, presented at: WindermereSun.com)
(Please click on red links & note magenta)
In addition to our post in May about “California, Leading the Country in Clean Energy, Requires New Homes To Have Solar In 2020“, I’d like to share with you some data recently compiled and released by the Institute For Local Self-Reliance on distributed solar (project under 1 MW in size) in USA in the map below:
Map of Distributed Solar in USA (data provided by ILSR, map attribution: Energy Democracy Initiative, presented at: WindermereSun.com)
Many factors have contributed to the recent growth in distributed solar in USA:
- reduced energy storage (battery) cost
- reduced soft (everything other than hardware, such as installations, labor, permitting, marketing, coordination, inspections, customer acquisitions, taxes, etc.) cost
- new business model such as Solar City
- policies and incentives
- greater awareness of solar energy applications
Below is a presentation of Tony Seba on “The Energy Storage Disruption-End of Peakers by 2020 and Baseload by 2030” from 2016, explaining how the energy storage cost is reduced”
Given that the soft cost now takes up about 50%-60% of the overall solar cost, it is important to continue to streamline this segment of the solar cost. With regard to reducing the soft cost, below, please refer to: “Varun Rai, “Hard Science of Soft Costs: Reducing Solar Costs and Accelerating Adoption” from June of 2017, below:
New business models such as Solar City helps those who have difficulty affording the initial purchasing and installation cost, in the video below “Going Solar: A Resident’s Experience with Solar City” from March of 2014:
To find out your state’s policies and incentives pertaining to solar, please click HERE.
Of course, with the help of internet and smart phone, information flow and communications are much more efficient. Web sites such as Windermere Sun (www.WindermereSun.com) and Sun Is The Future (http://www.sunisthefuture.net) have also contributed to the greater awareness of solar energy applications.
You may also be interested in articles below:
- America Should Invest In Distributed Renewable Energy Instead of Natural Gas Plants, Finds RMI Report
- Solar Energy & Art Via Bike Paths
- Solar Powered Flying Pods of Transit X Are Coming
- Orlando LYMMO Going Electric
- How Distributed Solar Has Grown
- California, Leading the Country In Clean Energy, Requires New Homes To Have Solar In 2020
- Questions About Solar Energy From Clermont/Lake County Residents
- OUC Kenneth P. Ksionek Community Solar Farm (The First Solar Farm of Orange County) Dedication Event
- European Designs (Selficient & NeighborHub) at Solar Decathlon 2017
- Some American Designs at the Solar Decathlon 2017
- Puerto Rico Getting Help From Tesla Powerwalls + Solar Panels
- Duke Energy Is Shifting From Nuclear To Solar!
- Florida Solar
- Cutest Solar Power Plant On Planet Earth Is In China!
- Solar & Wind, No Longer The Smallest Kids On The Energy Block
- Which Solar Vehicle Will Make It Into The U.S. Showroom First: Tesla or Toyota?
- Tesla’s Solar City Is In Florida Looking For Ambassadors!
- No Contest: Tesla-Solar City Solar Roof Costs Less, Is Stronger & Lasts Longer, Better Insulated, & Generate Solar Power!!!
- The Future We Want: Solar Roof+EV+Battery Storage
- What To Ask Your Potential Solar Installer
- We Need Fair Value of Solar, Not Amendment 1 !
- Florida’s Sunshine To Be Caught By Mickey’s Solar Farm & Floridians For Solar Choice
- Many Ways For Floridians To Go Solar
Gathered, written, and posted by Windermere Sun-Susan Sun Nunamaker
More about the community at www.WindermereSun.com
We Need Fair Value of Solar
~Let’s Help One Another~
Please also get into the habit of checking at these sites below for more on solar energy topics:
www.kiva.org/team/sunisthefuture
www.facebook.com/sunisthefuture
www.pinterest.com/sunisthefuture
www.youtube.com/user/sunisthefuture
www.cafepress.com/sunisthefuture
