In a world increasingly defined by shortages and environmental tradeoffs, clean, renewable energy sources like the sun offer some promise for the future.
Many people are still in the dark about solar and its technology and benefits, so here’s how solar panels can turn light into electricity.
Photons — bundles of light energy generated by the sun – are continually bombarding the Earth. When they strike a solar panel, the photons knock loose some electrons, which are then transformed into electricity. After that, an inverter converts the electrical current from DC to AC and the juice is ready to use.
We have light everywhere in the daytime. That light has energy associated with it. If we capture it from a free fuel source, that’s exciting.
It’s expected that solar power should one day be as common as air conditioning.
Homeowners and businesses alike are seeing the benefits of free energy. For example, SA Recycling has on of the largest commercial solar arrays in the city of Anaheim. The project includes more than 2,500 panels blanketing 70,000 square feet of roof – nearly 2 acres. That’s like carpeting the castle at Medieval Times.
Thanks to a combination of improving technology and generous incentives, the project shows how solar power is possible, desirable and feasible.
The panels should produce more than 715,000 kilowatt hours per year – enough to power 120 homes for a year. The project will reduce the plant’s annual carbon dioxide emissions by over 1 million pounds.
SA Recycling has been supplying its own power since the solar system went operational Dec. 31. Because its shredding and metal recovery operations are energy intensive, the firm can’t use the sun to meet all of its needs. But it does generate enough power to run the computers and lights in its business offices without ever having to worry about rate hikes.
Solar power seems like the energy future waiting to happen. That’s why federal and state governments partner with local utilities to encourage its use.
Anaheim Public Utilities offers education, incentives and technical support on all things solar through its Solar Advantage Program. Residents and businesses alike can take advantage of the support. The utility also can help expedite the solar-oriented design review and approval process. It helped pull permits for SA Recycling’s solar project in about two weeks.
The federal government gives SA Recycling a 30 percent tax credit to cover the costs of the overall system. And, in a nod to sun-powered accounting, the government also lets you accelerate depreciation of solar-energy systems. Over the next five years, Anaheim Public Utilities will give SA Recycling an estimated $1.2 million to cover as much as half of what the company spent on putting the solar panels up – based on how much sun-powered electricity SA Recycling actually makes.
