He challenges Americans (and their leaders) to be running on 100 per cent Zero-Carbon electricity in the coming decade. Among other things, Mr Gore championed the fact that solar, wind and geothermal power is more affordable, while we have to face the reality of the climbing costs of coal and oil.
Currently the United States is generating an abysmal 3% of its electricity from renewable sources like solar energy. Gore mentioned updating the electricity grid in the United States, proposing connecting areas rich in wind and solar energy, thus helping the rest of the nation. He also talked highly of plug-in electric vehicles (PEHVs), which if combined with a carbon tax could increase the flexibility of the electricity grid.
Have you considered using solar energy to provide power for your home or business? Perhaps you have thought that the technology is too expensive or otherwise not worth the investment. It’s time to change that thinking. More and more property owners are installing solar panels on the roof of buildings, to harness energy from the sun to be converted into electricity.
Each panel costs between $150 and $1500, depending on the brand, vendor and wattage. Currently, solar cells cost approximately $4.30 per watt. The number and square footage of panels required to power a business is determined by calculating watt-hours of electricity typically used over a 24-hour period. Not surprisingly, the expense of the installation is the biggest hurdle.
