No Wand Needed to Conjure the Magic of Solar
Updated May 2, 2024
By Morgan Pierce
“To flip a switch and watch as a refrigerator, wireless router or lightbulb springs to life — knowing that its power has been quite literally pulled out of the air — is a wonder to behold,” writes Eric Mack in an intriguing article about how going solar changed his life.
While Mack and his family live 100% energy- and water-independent in an off-grid home in the New Mexico desert, his thoughts about solar are relatable to anyone who has made that switch.
“Demystifying the power of electricity was empowering”, Mack says, and the experience of using solar to collect, contain and control that power autonomously was “life-changing”.
News reports in late April confirmed what many of us living through the last tempestuous months of weather have been feeling. Ireland was hotter and wetter in 2023 than the years before and is predicted to become increasingly so. In fact, according to the World Meteorological Service [WMO], Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent.
It’s the kind of news that grabs attention – and should be the kind of news to spur change. The WMO’s secretary general Celeste Saulo stressed the “need to leverage science to provide solutions for the good of society.”
One of the things we’ve learned as we’ve travelled the country meeting homeowners who are considering going solar is how the process itself changes people’s relationships with the environment, with energy usage, and with their communities and families.
Shifting to a renewable energy source is, of course, a forward-thinking, cost-saving measure on its own. However, it also forces one to think – sometimes for the first time – about how well our homes are insulated, about whether our appliances are as energy efficient as they could be, and whether putting on a sweater is a better option than turning up the heat.
And without any attempt to sway your beliefs, you should know that one successful solar conversion in a neighbourhood often paves the way for others. News that someone in the neighbourhood has figured out a way to save 50% on their monthly energy bills gets around quick! “The science” leverages the change.
The magic kicks in when one small change leads to another. We know that from personal experience. In April, we participated in the Climate Heroes Challenge – competing against other teams and community groups in Ireland to see which of us could reduce our carbon footprint the most. It’s something few of our staff members would have tried a few years back, but with what we’ve all learned since starting SolarSmart, everyone was up for the challenge. We were very proud to get 4th place in Dublin City, and for Dublin City as a group to place 4th in Ireland as well.
This knowledge of climate change is part of what’s “empowering” about going solar.
It’s been more than 140 years since New Yorker Charles Fritts invented the first solar panel. Technological advances have dramatically improved the efficiency of modern solar panels. The last few years have seen solar panels, batteries, and other equipment used in generating solar energy become better and far more affordable.
Only last month, for instance, a team made up of researchers from four Australian universities announced enormous progress in the production of ultra-lightweight printed solar cells.
While not nearly as efficient at generating electricity as traditional silicon panels, the new technology opens up the possibility for deploying solar in new, important ways, like disaster relief, or other situations in which temporary or portable power is needed.
Innovation will continue to drive the cost of going solar down.
At SolarSmart, our team is keeping an eye on the science, so that we can continue to deliver the magic of solar to families all over Ireland. If you’d like to discuss how to bring the magic (and the science) to your home, get in contact with us.
Investing in Irish solar panel systems can bring many benefits, including reduced energy bills, increased energy independence, and a reduced carbon footprint. If you are interested in installing a solar panel system in Ireland, it is also worth exploring the different grant options and green business loans available and seeking professional advice from one of our solar energy advisors.
Feel free to contact us for more information, we’re here to help.