Solar energy is really our only answer for long-term sustainable energy

Humans consume 221 tonnes of coal, 1,066 barrels of oil, and 93,000 metric cubes of natural gas every second.

Sooner or later humanity needs to get its head around the fact that the only long-term sustainable energy solution is solar energy.

The theoretical potential of solar power is 89 terawatts, which represents more energy striking the Earth’s surface in 90 minutes than the worldwide energy consumption for the entire year from all other resources combined.

https://qz.com/987397/solar-power-is-the-only-answer-to-africas-electricity-problem/

Solar Energy Basics

Solar is the Latin word for sun—a powerful source of energy that can be used to heat, cool, and light our homes and businesses. That's because more energy from the sun falls on the earth in one hour than is used by everyone in the world in one year.

https://www.nrel.gov/workingwithus/re-solar.html

Click on the above link to find out more about:

Solar Photovoltaic Technology --
These technologies convert sunlight directly into electricity to power homes and businesses.

Concentrating Solar Power --
These technologies harness heat from the sun to provide electricity for large power stations.

Solar Process Heat --
These technologies use solar energy to heat or cool commercial and industrial buildings.

Passive Solar Technology --
From the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: these technologies harness heat from the sun to warm our homes and businesses in winter.

Solar Water Heating --
From the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: these technologies harness heat from the sun to provide hot water for homes and businesses.

And Additional Resources!

Tools for consumers and designers of solar

Calculation of sun’s position in the sky for each location on the earth at any time of day.
... and a lot more useful tools!

https://www.sunearthtools.com/dp/tools/pos_sun.php?lang=en

Search allows you to enter the following as an example:

   # Address (example: Central Park West, New York), (example: Macquarie St, Circular Quay NSW 2000, Australia)
   # Geographic features (example: torre di pisa) (example: louvre)
   # Places - Cities, towns, states, provinces, states and continents (example: Berlin, Germany)
   # Coordinates (example: 41.38716 , 2.17010), (example: -34° 36’ 43.56" -58° 24’ 3.6" ), (example: 41° 53’ 24.72" N 12° 29’ 32.64" E)

Ten Solar Energy Facts and Charts

As prices have dropped, installations have skyrocketed.

https://cleantechnica.com/2016/08/17/10-solar-energy-facts-charts-everyone-know/

Solar Software Platform Fast-Tracks Grid Connections

When customers install solar, their panels don’t start producing electricity right away—a utility must first assess the project’s impact on the electricity grid before it gives permission to flip the switch.

The GridUnity platform conducts automated studies that leverage advanced power flow algorithms, cloud computing, and machine learning.   The platform enables utility engineers and support personnel to focus on reviewing results rather than generating costly, time-consuming simulations. 

The platform can speed the impact study step from 55 days to just 60 minutes, reducing the total interconnection process from 81 days to hours—that’s 98% faster than the processes used by most utilities today. 

https://energy.gov/eere/success-stories/articles/eere-success-story-solar-software-platform-fast-tracks-grid

Five Common Anti-Solar Talking Points

Solar Subsidies, Environmental Impact and “True Cost”… Who is Right?  A lot of questions are posed, but if the answer is not to the questioners liking, it is SO easy to find another answer that comfortably fits within their reality tunnel.

http://solartribune.com/clarifying-five-common-anti-solar-talking-points/

Atlanta Commits to 100% Renewable Energy

Another city has committed to sourcing all its energy from renewables. This time it’s Atlanta, the largest southern city in the US to make such a commitment, and the first in Georgia. It joins 25 other cities that have committed to 100 percent renewable energy, seven of which have already realized that goal and comes as The Sierra Club launches the Mayors For 100% Clean Energy campaign.

https://solarreviews.com/news/atlanta-100percent-clean-energy-mayors-for-100percent-launches-050317/

Portable Electric Vehicle Charging Station fits into a parking spot!

The 9 foot by 16 foot EV charger can be moved to different locations, deployed in minutes and fits in a parking spot. Due to its off-grid portability, the charging station does not require permits and  certified electricians for installation or the need to build a foundation and dig electrical connection trenches.

https://solarreviews.com/news/new-york-installs-portable-solar-ev-charging-station-buffalo-050317/