The Time for Solar Energy Is Now

Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright, two founding fathers of the modern architecture movement, believed that the structure of society was in desperate need of a transformation and that this change could only be made through dramatic adjustment. According to Le Corbusier, “Architecture or Revolution” were the only two options. Le Corbusier believed that “revolution can be avoided” by using architecture as the fundamental tool of restructuring society. 

Almost a century later, we are in an era where development and energy consumption is expanding at a rate that estimates and predictions are foreseeing a global energy crisis in the very near future. According to the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, estimates of oil reserves left in the world reach 1.3 trillion barrels, which is enough at present rates of consumption to last another 40 years. A world without any oil will certainly lead to a very large revolution. 

Great alternative energy solutions, such as San Diego solar energy systems, exist, however, governments and citizens are not looking to these solutions fast enough. Forty years is not a lot of time!

The way we build and engineer our homes and our cars can dramatically change and revolutionize the way we live and consume. There is no better time to re-think and restructure how we live and to use innovation and engineering to get us there. 

To learn more solar energy solutions for your home visit this solar hot water San Diego website.

How Solar Energy Works

The San Diego solar energy industry is aglow right now.  The Department of Energy offered a partial loan guarantee last week that will fund Project Amp, a $1.4 billion plan that will put photovoltaic panels on rooftops all over the United States.  The panels are to be installed on the rooftops of warehouse buildings in 28 states run by Project Amp's co-owner, Prologis.  A loan guarantee for $1.4 billion project is a pretty big deal, so let's find out what this solar energy hype is all about.

How It Works

Photovoltaic energy (solar energy) works off of sunlight.  Photovoltaic (PV) cells, or solar panels, are made of two slices of silicon.  One is positively charged and the other negatively charged, both enclosed together in glass casing with a metal frame.  Silicon is commonly used in PV cells because it is a semi-conductor.  The space between the two opposite charged slices is called the P-N junction, which allows electrons to pass from one slice to the other.  When sunlight hits the cell, it knocks electrons off the positively charged silicon and they move toward the negatively charged slice.  Electrons from the negatively charged silicon can only travel to the positive side if there is an internal circuit.  In the PV cell, thin wire on the negative silicon catches the free electrons, creates an internal circuit and creates electrical current.  When connected to an external electrical circuit, the current can be used to power your home.  According to the experts in solar electric San Diego, Solaire Energy Systems, any leftover electricity is sent back to your local power company grid and stored as a 'credit' for you to use during non-daylight hours.

Stay tuned to find out how installing solar panels benefit you, your home and the environment.
Suggested Reading: How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?