Posts made in April 2020

Living Off-the-Grid with Solar Energy

This might be an extreme way of living in today’s society, but there are several places in Northern Canada with people and communities living the so-called “off-the-grid” lifestyle with major help from solar energy. Solar energy is playing a major role in the conservation of energy and the elimination of our carbon footprint already, but how is it impacting people trying to live a minimal and simple life?

Here is what we found about communities doing exactly that:

Extreme Living Situation

In Northern British Columbia, Canada, a family of seven is living off-the-grid and is utilizing solar energy to do so. Although, their solar energy system isn’t powering everything in their home. They do use solar to power several utilities in their home to reduce cost and energy.

They have two solar systems, which include one that generates 12-volt power to power lights, and smaller electronics. The other solar system is a 2.5-Kilowatt system located on their roof with a lithium ion battery bank to power the fridge, chest freezer, washing machine, mixer, blender and toaster. A backup generator is used but only when needed during cloudy and snowy seasons.

Life Off Grid

In 2016, a documentary was released about several individuals and families that are essentially living off the land all around Canada. Life Off Grid is a film that tells the tale of real people who have chosen to live their lives utilizing renewable energy.

What does Off-the-Grid Living Mean?

When it comes to solar energy and living off the grid, these people are generating their own energy, which means they aren’t using the commercial electrical grid in Canada. In the documentary, these people explain why they are doing this, and how it has been challenging, yet ultimately rewarding in the long run. Most of the people that were interviewed have similar views of the electrical grid. They would accept the invitation of being on the grid if it didn’t cost them any expenses. They’re using solar systems of their own to power their entire lives, which allows them to not need the commercial grid.

When you’re self-sufficient, you realize what is most important in life. The material world seems very unnecessary when money is a major priority.

What Does this Have to Do with Solar Companies?

A company like Pope Energy specializes in the production and maintenance of photovoltaic solar projects around the Northeast. We provide system owners, farmers, commercial real estate owners and landowners with a solar system where they can save money on energy and help the environment. Although living off-the-grid can be an extreme way of living, there are ways to save on energy costs, help the environment, and live better by investing in solar power. Pope Energy believes this and is dedicated to helping those get to that point. Contact us at 855-767-3363 today to learn more about our solar services and products!

Massachusetts to Grow Solar Jobs

The state of Massachusetts has been a leader in the solar energy industry in the United States. The state has set a precedent for all other states to follow their renewable energy agenda, so that the country can have a sustainable future. In Massachusetts, policy uncertainty is getting in the way of nonresidential development of solar energy, which means legislatures need to come together and make some changes.

Renewable jobs are growing across the United States, creating sustainable careers for hardworking Americans in some of the most fossil fuel-heavy states. It looks as if the coal industry is turning downwards once again.

Legislation Needs to Step Up with Solar

Legislation in the state of Massachusetts needs to work together with passing bills and keeping the Solar Massachusetts Energy Target on track for 2050. This means expanding the program by 3,200 megawatts for this to happen. There has been a stall on some solar progress in recent years, which has caused thousands to lose their solar energy jobs. Using compliance obligations already in force within existing legislation, regulators need to establish a fixed amount of solar DG as recommended by the Brattle Group Report, Achieving 80% GHG Reduction in New England by 2050. For Massachusetts, which consumes 45% of the electricity in ISO-NE, this fixed amount of solar that would need to be installed each year would equal 0.9 GW -2.5 GW of solar per year. A target of needing to install this level of solar would drive solar and interconnection policy with DOER, D.P.U. and MassDEP.

Allowing customers to adopt solar on not only a residential, but also a commercial scale will help the industry hire back the workers that have lost their jobs. This will help the state of Massachusetts reach a goal of net-zero carbon pollution by 2050, which was passed by the senate recently. If Massachusetts triples the SMART Program, Vote Solar figures it could create 8,000-9,000 new jobs and drive more than $5 billion in solar project investment into the state’s economy.

How Will Solar Energy Impact Jobs?

New renewable solar energy projects are much cheaper than keeping existing coal plants afloat. Building replacement wind and solar facilities will be much less expensive across the board by 2025. With the state’s trend for 100% clean energy goals, the demand for more jobs and workers to build solar panels and wind turbines is growing substantially. As long as legislation cooperates with passing bills on behalf of the clean energy movement, then jobs will be booming in this industry.

According to the National Solar Jobs Census, “Between 2014 and 2019, solar employment increased 44%, five times faster than job growth in the overall U.S. economy.”

In the state of Massachusetts, Pope Energy is taking initiative to provide commercial solar energy projects to customers around New England and in New York. If you’re looking to grow your business and be successful while helping to get to 100% clean energy in your state, contact Pope Energy at 855-767-3363!

What to Know About the World’s Largest Solar Project

The world’s largest solar project being built in the Middle East is at a record low for cost in solar price. It’s expected to be completed in 2022, and it will stand as the largest single-site solar energy project.

Why is this Solar Project So Cheap?

There are a few places in the Middle East going head to head in seeing if they can hold the record low for solar projects. In Dubai, a project that started in 2013 is looking to get up to 5 gigawatts by 2030. This project set the record low in November with a 1.7 U.S. cents deal for the next 900 megawatts of its solar park.

Qatar decided to take the reins in January with 1.6 cents per kilowatt-hour. Now, United Arab Emirates looks to have the record low again. A 40 percent stake will go to the winners and receive a 30-year PPA contract including construction, procurement, and operations and maintenance.

The Middle East Advantages

To have a successful solar project, there are many factors that have to be in place. In the Middle East, their advantage is the resources, which include large and flat sites, cheap land costs, cheap finance, and massive scale.

Is the COVID-19 Pandemic Affecting Production?

As it looks, there hasn’t been many hiccups with solar projects in the Middle East due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Even as many markets are currently in lockdown, the solar energy sector is still continuing to push their projects.

Pope Energy

At Pope Energy, we’re in the business of providing large-scale solar energy projects for the New England region of the United States. For landowners, real estate owners, farmers, and commercial building owners, solar energy can become a major importance for your business. A long-term investment in solar will pay off down the road.

Contact Pope Energy at 855-767-3363 today!