“People don’t buy gas stations. People don’t buy utilities. Why are we having them buy solar equipment?” That's an interesting question raised by Lyndon Rive, who has a strong financial interest in solar power. It's also a question that makes a lot of sense to those who don't have the thousands of dollars needed to install solar power in their homes.
Over the past few years the question is being answered by solar power companies providing long term leases or payment plans to home owners and others who recognize the value of renewable energy. Five years ago, third-party-owned systems accounted for none of the
residential solar market. In the first quarter of 2012, according to the
Solar Energy Industries Association, 63 percent of new solar systems in
California were third-party-owned, and in Colorado, that number was as
high as 80 percent. This new way of financing solar power is a major factor in the growth of
revenue in the global solar-energy industry $17 billion in 2007 to $93 billion
in 2011. There is a strong market in providing this type of financing.
It is estimated that enough sunlight falls on the earth’s surface every hour to meet the entire world’s energy needs for one year. Imagine where will be if we can make the switch over the next 50 or so years.
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