As the world continues to be plagued by a shortage of energy resources, it is natural to assume we’d start to look to nature as a remedy. If you think back to some years ago, things like solar and hydropower were an anomaly, existing only in expensive scientific studies and foreign to any commercial electrician.
Fast forward to today, innovations such as solar power have gained incredible traction and are being used in more traditional settings to reduce carbon emissions. The transformation of solar power from a scientific anomaly to an everyday energy solution has been nothing short of phenomenal, with scores of ordinary people now looking to this natural resource as a way to be more sustainable.
Here, we will unpack just how viable it is to include solar panels alongside traditional electricity wiring in newly constructed homes and how construction has made specific accommodations to help homeowners save more money on energy.
Sustainability Is the New Normal; Why Not Solar Power?
The world as we know it has grown substantially in the years that have passed. Gone are the days when uncontrolled consumerism saw us use resources as though they had no end. Today, people are much more conscious about how they live and, more so, the impact it has on the environment.
This started small initially, with people taking up efforts like recycling their garbage, for example. Now, society feels a greater responsibility to be sustainable and to take pressure off the Earth’s non-renewable resource supply – integrating sustainability into the intricacies of daily life. What’s more, electricians and artisans have also had to become more adept at these installations and the science behind them.
Solar Power and What It Means for the Construction Industry
Let’s start by highlighting the sheer benefit that homeowners stand to reap when their homes have in-built solar panels. You are substantially reducing your carbon footprint by taking pressure off the coal electricity grid, and you’re also positioned to be partially self-powered for part of the year. This means that you’ll see a reduction in traditional energy consumption and hence, have a lower electricity bill.
It’s also no secret that installing solar panels can be very expensive for existing homes and homeowners. Realistically, if solar paneling is the way forward, it would ideally need to start with new builds. It is interesting to note that it is way cheaper to install solar panels on a new property than fit them on a long-standing home.
All things considered, the spearhead towards low carbon emissions in places like the UK is telling of just how serious the situation is. We could see an overhaul of construction practices to accommodate a world intent on going green.
Heralding New Ground for Solar Power
The trajectory of trends in the construction industry also paints a very green picture. If the world is to hop aboard the sustainability bandwagon, we could see increased mandatory requirements for solar panels on new homes.
This means that installation costs will be lower and that homeowners save money as soon as they move in without a tedious wait for the return on what would have been a hefty investment if done separately.
With such requirements in place, software giant Capterra projects that the price of solar power will continue to plummet over the years, making solar energy more accessible.
First was the education problem, and then came the price issue. After that came the problem of accessibility. Today, these obstacles are no more. With increased pressure to rely on renewable energy as opposed to putting further strain on the coal electrical grid, solar energy provides a feasible solution. Soon enough, the construction and electrical industries will integrate with renewable energy giants to create more sustainable builds. And as prices continue to plunge and uptake continues to rise, Lakeview Electric expects a renewable energy overhaul in the near future.