Had you taken a public poll 20 years ago about the future of solar power and solar energy, the public would have likely expected the technology to have made leaps and bounds by 2013.  Perhaps many would have expected to see solar panels installed on most homes and businesses by now, or even being used to power cars (ala the 1996 James Belushi / Halle Berry movie Race The Sun.) In 2013, in a technological age where most people use smartphones as pocket sized computers, why does it seem that solar power hasn’t progressed much at all?

There are many reasons to help to understand this phenomenon, so we’ve listed some of the most popular below:

One of the most obvious issues that may be holding solar energy back is the idea that if there is no sunshine, there is no power being generated.  Because of this, solar energy doesn’t have the capability to stand alone which will surely hinder its popularity.  Modern consumers are of the instant gratification mindset and are not always willing to take the inconvenient option, even if it may have strong benefits.

It’s no question that there are huge amounts of money tied up in the corporations and investors who control the major energy companies of the world.  The electricity companies have an interest in limiting their competition and they have lobbyists in that will work to protect their interests.  There is also strong opposition coming from competing industries like coal and nuclear energy, both of which are heavily financed and politically influential.

Even with the tax breaks and incentives cited as reasons for solar energy development, the upfront  costs for equipment and installation are still excessively high.   It’s often cited that it would currently cost around $20,000 – $30,000 to install a new solar system on an average American home (before incentives.)  The investment can pay for itself over a 20-30 year period of monthly savings, but most households in the U.S. don’t have the means to spend such a large amount of cash straight away.

As many companies have rushed to be the biggest and best producers of solar panel equipment, the market has seen high competition with most of the solar products being produced cheaply in China.  Because of this, there has been wide concern that modern solar panels are expensive, untested, and of low quality.  The National Renewable Energy Laboratory even estimates that solar panels degrade at a rate of 4.5% annually or more!  At this rate, a new solar panel will lose most of its efficiency before it ever becomes financially beneficial.

We will have to wait and see where solar energy goes in the coming years.  Maybe it won’t be popular for several more decades, or perhaps it will never become popular at all.  Either way, energy is a shifting business that constantly pushes and reinvents itself, so it will be exciting to see what the future has in store for the industry.

Looking for an electrician in Baltimore or Bethesda, MD? Perhaps you need one in Alexandria, VA or Washington, DC. No matter where in the DC Metropolitan area you need an electrician, make sure you enlist the services of a licensed electrician. There are many benefits of hiring licensed electricians, and learning about these benefits will help you determine if this is the right course of action for you.

Licensed electricians:

When you enlist the services of a licensed electrical contractor, you can be sure that the electrician is fully knowledgeable about the complex workings of the electrical system in your home. Many people think they can learn the skills needed to do minor household electrical work, but the truth is that your home’s electrical system is more complex than you realize. Our electricians are fully licensed and have years of experience completing electrical installations and repairs in homes throughout MD, VA, and DC. They have successfully completed rigorous training, which means they have the skill set necessary to handle any electrical issue.

A licensed electrician understands all the codes and regulations in place for residential and commercial electrical work. The National Electrical Code (NEC), or NFPA 70, is a regionally adoptable standard for the safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment in the United States. Rest assured that the electricians here at Kolb Electric have a thorough understanding of NEC requirements as it pertains to circuit breaker replacement, panel upgrades, surge protection, and more.

By trusting a licensed electrical contractor to take care of your residential or commercial electrical needs, you can feel confident knowing that the electrician will have all the tools and equipment necessary to complete the job—accurately and in a timely manner. Homeowners, in most cases, simply do not have the proper tools and equipment necessary to complete electrical jobs, small or large.

There’s a reason the NEC standard has been put into place for electrical work—it functions as a critical safety measure. Hiring a licensed electrical contractor is safer than if you were to do the job yourself. Working with electricity can be very dangerous, but skilled professionals understand how to complete electrical work safely.

Kolb Electric is a full-service electrical contractor providing electrical services, including troubleshooting, circuit breaker replacement, panel upgrades, and surge protection. We also offer installation of ceiling and attic fans, outdoor lighting, light switches, dimmers, and light fixtures.

We fully support and promote the continuing education of our expert electricians. Call us or contact us online so we can handle your electrical needs—we’ll get it right the first time around.

What questions do you want to ask an electrician? If you are in need of an electrician and you don’t know where to begin, these tips may come in handy. Ask an electrician the right questions so you can quickly narrow down your search.

So what exactly should you ask an electrician you’re thinking about hiring? It might be tempting to rush into a decision and then deal with the consequences, but asking several questions can ensure you make the right choice. Hiring an electrician and then later finding out they aren’t the right fit can be a frustrating — and expensive — experience. Protect yourself by making sure they’re the right hire for the job.

In most states, electricians are required to have valid licenses; don’t take this for granted, however. Make sure the electrician you hire is fully licensed because this ensures they have gone through the necessary training and are equipped to handle the job you’re want them to do.

Another important question to ask is whether or not the electrician is insured. The professional you hire will undoubtedly take steps to keep your property safe, but accidents can happen. Liability insurance can cover damages that may occur during the job, and in turn, can protect you from unnecessary headaches down the line.

It’s important to know about the experience-level of the electrician you’re thinking about hiring. Keep in mind even the most thorough education isn’t much use without the experience to support it. An experienced electrician has seen cases like yours before and knows how to help you avoid unneeded expenses and setbacks that a more inexperienced professional might not notice.

More Problems

Okay, so light pollution isn’t good. But perhaps you’re thinking, if we turn off the lights that illuminate our streets and sidewalks, homes and buildings, they’ll become dangerous. Car accidents are bound to increase on dark, busy streets, and walking on sidewalks out at night would be scary to say the least. Not to mention a poorly lit home is a target for sinister intruders.

So what do we do? Is there any sort of compromise?

New LED lighting offers some hope, but it’s certainly not all sunshine and rainbows.

How LED Light Can Help Decrease Light Pollution   

How LEDs May Add To Light Pollution