The 21st-century economy will depend on renewables like solar power, but stakeholders will need to invest in proven maintenance solutions to keep worksites in acceptable condition.
While solar power was once considered cost prohibitive for many businesses, organizations, and homeowners, falling prices have brought it within reach for a wide range of use cases. Indeed, the cost to install solar panels has dropped by more than 70% over the last ten years, making it highly attractive to new markets across the country.
As this important and environmentally friendly power source picks up steam, however, it’s crucial for stakeholders interested in renewable energy to know as much as possible about it. Solar power may be increasingly popular, but there are still some little-known facts that can help decision-makers figure out the best options for their needs.
For those interested in solar power, learning more about solar panel installation is a must. At the same time, though, it’s incumbent upon those considering an investment in solar power to take stock of what industrial products they’ll need to keep their energy infrastructure up and running — even in harsh conditions.
1. Solar Power is Affordable
As mentioned above, solar power was once prohibitively expensive for a diverse array of users. From enterprises to government organizations, the long-term gains didn’t always offset the upfront capital expenditures. In recent years, however, that’s changed. With the cost of installing solar panels dropping dramatically over the past decade, solar power is an affordable option for businesses, homeowners, and municipal bodies alike. While costs will differ depending on the scope of your project, it’s never been cheaper to invest in solar power.
2. Solar Panels are Durable
While solar panels may seem fragile, they’ve only gotten stronger as designs have improved and manufacturing has come to scale. According to Wholesale Solar, the average solar panel lasts 25 years — that’s the industry standard warranty. Even after that period, solar panels will still produce energy, although less effectively than in those first 25 years. However, it’s worth noting that these figures will vary depending on environmental conditions and the types of maintenance products used.
3. Solar Power is Reliable
For those looking into renewable sources of energy, there may be some cause for concern about reliability. If local governments invest in wind farms, for instance, what problems will they run into if wind patterns change? That’s not as much of an issue with solar power. While you’ll inevitably run into some cloudy days and rainy seasons, we’ll always be able to rely on the sun to make solar panels pull their weight.
4. Solar Panels are Productive
Solar panels are now capable of producing so much energy that they’re outstripping the ability of businesses, organizations, and municipalities to consume it. In fact, California has witnessed this surprising problem to such a degree that they’re exploring ways to sell excess power to neighboring states. This glut is good news for the efficacy of solar power, although it’s also important to ensure that renewable energy isn’t being wasted.
5. Solar Panel Manufacturing is Intensive
Investing in renewable energy such as solar power is an environmentally friendly decision. With that said, the way that we currently manufacture solar panels could stand to be greener. For example, harmful chemicals such as lead and cadmium are an important part of solar panel production. Thankfully, manufacturers are looking into more environmentally responsible ways to offset the impact of these materials.
Protecting Your Investment with Midwest
Solar power is going to be an essential part of the renewable energy economy. With falling installation costs and greater durability, solar panels will bring solar energy within reach of enterprises, public entities, and homeowners as they look for an affordable and reliable way to generate power. However, making the most of solar power will depend on investing in products that can help panels operate at peak capacity.
For solar panels installed in rural areas or near busy worksites, patented dust control solutions — like those from Midwest Industrial Supply, Inc. — will be an indispensable part of keeping solar panels in working order. With our environmentally friendly and cost-effective line of dust control solutions, Midwest can help you enjoy the benefits of solar power without worrying about degrading environmental conditions.
