For centuries, people have been finding ways to gather power from the sun. The ancient Romans put glass and mica in their southern-facing doors to harness the sun’s warmth. In 1861, August Mouchout created a steam engine fueled by the sun. And in 1953, Bell Laboratories developed the precursor to the modern solar cell. In recent years, the need to “go green” and promotion of sustainable infrastructure has increased the interest in solar energy technology .
We decided to create a visualization marking the growth of use of solar energy in the United States while showing the decrease in the cost to implement this technology. We started out by looking at the cost per watt, including installation. In 1998, installing 1 watt of solar power would cost you $10.80. That dropped $3.30 over the next ten years, down to $7.50 in 2009 – about a 30% decrease in cost!

Next we looked at the total of solar-produced energy in the United States. The US saw more than three-fold growth in energy generation from 2000 to 2009, moving from slightly under 1,000 megawatts to just over 3,500 megawatts. To give you a better understanding of the amounts we are talking about here, the average toaster would use 30-45 watts, a 40” LCD flat-screen TV uses around 195 watts an hour, and the average American household uses roughly 14,000 kWh (kilowatts/hour) annually.

Next we looked at the whole nation to see which states were producing the most solar energy. We found that the growth here is also large, moving from just 4 states (California, New Jersey, Colorado, and Nevada) in 2007, to 15 states (the original four, plus Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and Hawaii) in 2010.

Combining these bits of data gave us a better understanding of where US solar energy has been and the rate at which it is growing–we hope it does the same for you!

How We Made the Visualization

The idea behind using moss to create this data visualization was to give it some life while also tying it directly to the sun. Originally inspired by the moss graffiti we had seen on the internet, we were going to grow the moss in the shapes of the states and graphs using a mixture of yogurt, beer, and sugar, but the Michigan weather did not permit us to do so (definitely something to try again this spring). We were still interested in using moss as the medium for this project, though, so we decided to harvest some from a springin one of our employees’ backyards and try to shape the moss ourselves. After digging up the moss, we washed out as much of the dirt as we could to avoid staining the infographic poster. Next we dried the moss, cutting as much of the remaining dirt and excess root structure away as possible. Once dried, the moss was molded into the shapes and sizes we needed to fill the graphs and maps. Our plan is to see how long we can sustain the moss; the glue we used to attach it to the paper doesn’t seem to be having an adverse effect, but only time will tell how long we can keep it alive. We’re spritzing it with water from time to time, and keeping the visualization board in a shady spot in our office.

Hopefully next spring we can try again to grow some moss naturally, but until then we have something green in our office reminding us of the sun’s amazingpower and what we can do to be more energy-responsible.

Moss In the Wild

Drying the Moss

Printed Template

2010 United States

Trimming Moss

Moss Hawaii

Heavens no. As sure as the sun is in the sky, the future of solar energy remains bright. According to a report by the International Energy Agency, solar power is set to provide nearly one-fourth of the world’s electricity supplies by 2050. In its 2010 report, the IEA predicts that 11% of total power supplies will be derived from solar panels on residential and office structures with an equal percentage provided by central solar power stations.

A global push to eliminate carbon emissions portends more future growth for solar’s clean electricity. As the global carbon footprint continues to reduce in size, the industry’s current 0.5 percent share of total electricity supply is sure to grow exponentially in the coming decades.

Reductions in solar panel costs also bode well for the industry. As solar panels grow in popularity, so does their price: Since 2009, the cost of solar panels has dropped by a whopping 70 percent. Dictating price is the per-wattage hour cost of equipment and given that criterion the cost of operating solar panels purchased in bulk last year hovered around $1 per watt with steady drops in recent years.

The plummeting price of polysilicon—more formally known as polycrystalline silicon—also is seen as a factor for overall lowered solar power costs. By industry reckonings, a full 25% of a photovoltaic (PV) panel’s cost is rooted in the price of polysilicon, an element that is the main component in the manufacture of solar cells.

The world’s second most abundant element, polysilicon has dropped steadily in price over the years, with further drops expected through 2012. In light of the element’s price free-fall, some industry analysts predict the average price for solar modules containing polysilicon could drop as low as 70 cents per watt, making solar power an extremely affordable renewable energy source.

As supply costs continue to drop and its popularity increases, the future of solar energy is truly, well, bright.

Consider reliability: Naturally, the effectiveness of wind turbines to produce electricity is contingent on strong and steady winds to meet generating capacity. What’s more, turbines typically have to be installed free of obstruction and at certain heights to ensure optimal efficiency. Photovoltaic panels, on the other hand, are capable of harnessing energy from the more reliable solar presence at just about any angle with little consideration to height placements.

To extend the boxing metaphor, in this example, height poses no advantage. Ideal output for wind turbines requires installation at heights of at least 100 feet, further complicating their implementation. Some municipal ordinances limit structure heights, yielding another limitation to wind power. Power harnessed from wind also is often compromised by turbulence—a non-factor with energy derived from solar power.

The one advantage wind power has is cost, with installation of turbines lower than that of photovoltaic arrays. But wind power’s disadvantages—for example, its turbines pose hazards for avian life and are usually quite noisy—often trump its lower cost among consumers. By contrast, solar power hums along with nary a sound and panels are easily added to existing structures, thus eliminating the need to find space, as with turbines.

Increasingly, when it comes to pitting wind vs. solar power, more municipalities are placing their bets on solar. Officials at the town of Duxbury near Boston decided to shelve their plans for a wind turbine after weighing the advantages of solar energy. In addition to projected long-term cost savings, another reason the town decided to go solar was the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) factor: Nearby residents balked at the potential for lowered property values as a result of living in close proximity to a turbine, hiring an attorney to further articulate their point.

Solar projects abound in CAM Solar’s home turf of Texas, further illustrating solar power’s increasing popularity over wind power. In the town of Hockley, just outside Houston, CAM Solar designed a 215 kW system for the Hewlett Packard data center in January 2010.  Further northeast in Hopkins County, CAM Solar installed the electrical integration of a 188 kW solar system for the regional civic center. Increasingly, we are also seeing more residential customers eager to capitalize on inducements set forth by the city’s Solar San Antonio effort to promote solar use.

The wind vs. solar power matchup is one where consumers must carefully consider their bets. But with its diet of reliable sunshine, solar energy may very well be ahead in points.

For centuries, people have been finding ways to gather power from the sun. The ancient Romans put glass and mica in their southern-facing doors to harness the sun’s warmth. In 1861, August Mouchout created a steam engine fueled by the sun. And in 1953, Bell Laboratories developed the precursor to the modern solar cell. In recent years, the need to “go green” and promotion of sustainable infrastructure has increased the interest in solar energy technology .
We decided to create a visualization marking the growth of use of solar energy in the United States while showing the decrease in the cost to implement this technology. We started out by looking at the cost per watt, including installation. In 1998, installing 1 watt of solar power would cost you $10.80. That dropped $3.30 over the next ten years, down to $7.50 in 2009 – about a 30% decrease in cost!

Next we looked at the total of solar-produced energy in the United States. The US saw more than three-fold growth in energy generation from 2000 to 2009, moving from slightly under 1,000 megawatts to just over 3,500 megawatts. To give you a better understanding of the amounts we are talking about here, the average toaster would use 30-45 watts, a 40” LCD flat-screen TV uses around 195 watts an hour, and the average American household uses roughly 14,000 kWh (kilowatts/hour) annually.

Next we looked at the whole nation to see which states were producing the most solar energy. We found that the growth here is also large, moving from just 4 states (California, New Jersey, Colorado, and Nevada) in 2007, to 15 states (the original four, plus Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and Hawaii) in 2010.

Combining these bits of data gave us a better understanding of where US solar energy has been and the rate at which it is growing–we hope it does the same for you!

How We Made the Visualization

The idea behind using moss to create this data visualization was to give it some life while also tying it directly to the sun. Originally inspired by the moss graffiti we had seen on the internet, we were going to grow the moss in the shapes of the states and graphs using a mixture of yogurt, beer, and sugar, but the Michigan weather did not permit us to do so (definitely something to try again this spring). We were still interested in using moss as the medium for this project, though, so we decided to harvest some from a springin one of our employees’ backyards and try to shape the moss ourselves. After digging up the moss, we washed out as much of the dirt as we could to avoid staining the infographic poster. Next we dried the moss, cutting as much of the remaining dirt and excess root structure away as possible. Once dried, the moss was molded into the shapes and sizes we needed to fill the graphs and maps. Our plan is to see how long we can sustain the moss; the glue we used to attach it to the paper doesn’t seem to be having an adverse effect, but only time will tell how long we can keep it alive. We’re spritzing it with water from time to time, and keeping the visualization board in a shady spot in our office.

Hopefully next spring we can try again to grow some moss naturally, but until then we have something green in our office reminding us of the sun’s amazingpower and what we can do to be more energy-responsible.

Moss In the Wild

Drying the Moss

Printed Template

2010 United States

Trimming Moss

Moss Hawaii

Most people don’t remember much from their high school Chemistry class, but after drawing countless diagrams of atoms, the terms “proton” and “electron” should ring a bell. They’re the tiny components in every atom, and they carry a positive or negative charge, respectively. Electricity depends on a flow of electrons, and the photovoltaic cells of any commercial solar panel work to convert “photo” (light) energy into “volts” of electricity.

Electrons move best through materials called semiconductors, which both allow a flow of electricity while still keeping it from escaping. Silicon is one of the most prominent semiconductors and the most popular material for a commercial solar panel. These silicon panels are positioned at an ideal angle to receive the most sun. When they absorb its rays, the light’s natural energy will “hit” electrons in the semiconductor, starting a flow. PV cells then force these moving electrons to move a certain way, in a current, and metal contacts above and below each PV cell will draw out the current and use it to power a building.

To put it more simply: solar panels use the sun’s energy to push electricity into a home, thereby powering it. If it still sounds complicated, the good news is that you don’t have to understand all the inner workings of a commercial solar panel to use one. Some people just like to enjoy the near magic of solar power’s conversion; but the science behind it isn’t too complicated.

Contrary to its name, a residential solar system doesn’t have to be confined in use to a residence. Any building can install panels on its roof or lawn to convert the sun’s rays into usable energy. With the price of this power remaining low, people and businesses all over the world are realizing the cost efficiency of going solar. The education system began testing the technology a few years back, but now whole districts are installing panels on every school. It’s not only a way to compensate for budget cuts but an educational opportunity in itself: raising green awareness among the generation that’s about to inherit the earth.

As availability of fossil fuels diminishes and cost rises, environmental impact aside: it’s clear that the future will have to rely on renewable energy solutions. Preparing children for that green shift is essential for a functional world, and showing them green energy in action is the best preparation possible. A residential solar system can be used by anyone; for a school to install one can help teach its students to use similar green renewables once they’re out on their own.

No utility company wants to build another coal plant, but energy needs are rising all the time. To offset the higher demand, nearly every one in America offers solar power incentives, encouraging its customers to become more energy independent. Where population growth and excessive energy needs for air conditioning are especially high, these incentives tend to be the largest. Every power company’s website should have clear information on what rebates and solar power incentives it offers, and most solar panel installers have expert knowledge on what their surrounding counties offer. An easily navigable resource, too, is DSIRE, the Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, a website that lists every incentive and rebate by state. If you’re in the market to find an alternative energy source, now is one of the cheapest times to do so. How cheap, exactly, just depends on the utility company in your area.

If you’ve driven through any flat region of America in the last few years, you’ve probably encountered a field of giant windmills; there’s no hiding that renewable electric energy is gaining popularity. America has for decades been one of the global leaders of energy consumption, but recently it’s become the leader of alternative fuel sources too. Other countries are finally catching on. Around the world, wind remains king of the green energy market, but solar is close behind—due in large part to a new European trend.

Germany and other European nations have, like America, begun to grant subsidies to citizens who add solar panels to their homes. According to the UN, last year 95 billion dollars went into wind energy investments, but solar renewable electric energy followed closely behind with $86 billion. The reasoning is simple. Fossil fuel prices are only predicted to rise steadily in the coming years, while alternative fuels are becoming cheaper and cheaper with more availability. Solar panels have become 60% less expensive in the last three years alone, so it’s no surprise that Europe and other countries around the globe are embracing the sun as an alternative fuel source. America still leads the world in annual investments, but more nations are catching on to help make the planet a little greener.

Back in Texas, CAM Solar has taken on many residential projects. A 5.2kW ground-mounted residential system installed in San Antonio allows the owner to track their own home energy usage including how much energy is individually diverted to appliances such as the AC compressor and the hot water heater. Owners are frequently able to use CAM Solar’s design and installation to monitor energy usage, which is a great way to see how you’re able to save, produce and store your own renewable energy.

It’s not just the efforts of solar panel manufacturers like CAM Solar, however, that are paving the way for increased electrical renewable energy usage. Many areas in the U.S. provide solar power incentives for homeowners and business owners who transition to using renewable energy alternatives. CAM Solar’s free consultations can give you a good idea of what your facility or home needs, what incentives are available in your area, how much you’ll be spending and your ROI over time based on savings. For most customers, the cost of switching to renewable energy can be recouped in ten years or less.

When you work directly with a solar energy provider like CAM Solar, you’ll be able to find a renewable electric energy system that works for you, both aesthetically and in terms of efficiency and placement. This can be beneficial to those looking to explore sustainable energy options for the first time. For instance, those who live in urban areas may want to start with grid-tiered systems, where the home is still connected to a municipal grid. Off-grid systems work best for those who live in rural areas or who wish to be totally independent. Off-grid energy systems can also work with a battery backup. CAM Solar will be able to answer your questions and determine what system works best for your residence, your needs and your budget.

If you want to be able to produce enough energy to operate independently of the grid, you will either have to purchase some kind of conventional energy source or locate a source that is renewable. Renewable sources are greener. Examples of renewable energy sources are solar panels or wind turbines. Because wind and sun are not always readily available, it’s important to place panels and turbines in areas where they will produce the maximum amount of energy.

Why use more energy than you need? Be conscientious of the energy you produce, the same way you would be of the food you grew yourself. Think about how much electricity you absolutely need and how much you can save. Making the switch to energy-efficient devices is an easy first step. Consider using a thermal water heater and a wood-burning stove. You can use a wattmeter to identify which devices in your home use the most energy and find alternative solutions. Photovoltaic panels are the best way to trap solar energy, and can be used to power a myriad of devices. But remember that saving energy is just as important as creating, and storing is essential for times when you need more than usual or for cloudy or calm days.

While living on an off-grid energy system takes time and planning, it is doable. For beginners, it may be best to combine renewable energy with a grid system and work towards living off-grid by taking small steps. Urban environments cater well to grid living or a combination of the two, while remote, rural environments may thrive in an off-grid setup.