Solar Energy vs. Coal: Why it’s Time to Move On

Solar Energy vs. Coal

Solar Energy vs. Coal

With the current energy crisis and gas prices soaring, people are turning to alternative forms of energy as quickly as possible. For stationary power, solar panels are quickly becoming a popular addition to roofs all around the country, especially in sunny states like Texas. 

Why is solar energy so popular these days, and why should you make the switch? What’s the value proposition of solar energy vs. coal-produced energy?

Solar Energy vs. Coal  – The Statistics

Generally speaking, solar energy outshines fossil fuels in several ways, but we’ll break it down into three categories for now:

Costs

Fossil fuels have always been inexpensive to obtain and easy to ship worldwide. Because coal and oil reserves are relatively plentiful, and they work 24 hours a day regardless of the weather, these energy sources have remained a popular choice. 

But, fossil fuels are always subject to pricing fluctuations because of geopolitical relations and supply vs. demand during different times of the year. 

However, despite initial installation costs, solar panels are relatively low-maintenance and generate energy independently, making them an overall cheaper option in the long run.

Environmental Impact

This next category is pretty obvious, too: solar panels don’t release tons of toxic waste into the atmosphere. Burning coal, oil, and other fossil fuels release carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. 

The IEA states that accelerating the shift to renewable energy is vital to preventing further damage from global warming.

Accessibility

Solar energy requires space and sunlight to work, and solar farms can take up lots of space. While the Biden Administration and the IEA are looking into alternative forms of renewable energy, solar panels are currently relegated to powering the sunniest states. 

Learn About the Best Solar Battery Backup System for Your Home

Solar Energy vs. Coal – What’s Causing the Shift?

So, what’s fueling this shift to solar energy? Aside from the obvious push for renewable energy as a means of helping the environment, there are a couple of other reasons why more property owners are making the shift:

Global Energy Crises

To start, the nation is currently in the midst of an energy crisis. While fossil fuels were previously cheaper to obtain than setting up a solar farm, recent political events and foreign relations with Russia and Ukraine have made it harder and harder to import fossil fuels. 

In addition, fossil fuels are a limited resource, and reserves will run out eventually.

Incentives

In the United States, the Department of Energy provides homeowners that use solar energy tax credits in the “Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics” initiative. This program will help cover the cost of solar panel installation and upkeep, as well as provide some financial help to people with solar panels installed. 

On a local level, cities like Houston, Texas, also provide citizens with monetary incentives to install solar panels. Solar panel installers and solar companies in Texas are helping homeowners learn about the federal and state incentive programs for switching to solar. 

Overall the matchup of solar energy vs. coal is a clear-cut choice; coal and fossil fuels have had a few centuries of providing the world with energy, but we have better, cleaner, more sustainable solutions now that all of humanity should take advantage of. 

To learn more about solar, please contact us today!

Solar Energy vs. Coal
Texas Plastic

Sunshine Renewable Solutions to Help Formosa Plastics of Point Comfort, Texas, Achieve Sustainability Goals

Formosa Plastics is a major producer of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride resins, which are widely used in various industries worldwide. Recognizing its role in environmental stewardship, Formosa Plastics sought to collaborate with a reputable sustainability consultant who can provide solutions to reduce its impact on the environment.

Sunshine Renewable Solutions is a leading sustainability consulting firm that specializes in renewable energy and environmental sustainability. The company has a team of experts who help clients identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and implement sustainable practices through solar power.

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Sunshine Renewable Solutions proudly partners with a leading Texas-based plastic manufacturer, embarking on a groundbreaking initiative to fortify its commitment to sustainability.

By integrating solar energy solutions, we're revolutionizing their environmental impact. Our collaborative efforts aim to construct a robust solar infrastructure, harnessing renewable energy to power their operations efficiently.

Together, we're spearheading a transformative shift towards renewable practices, demonstrating how solar power can drive industrial progress while prioritizing environmental responsibility. Sunshine Renewable Solutions is honored to work hand-in-hand with this industry leader, fostering a brighter, greener future through the strategic implementation of solar energy solutions.

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Creating The Foundation

As the foundational step in our partnership, the construction of concrete piers for the solar panel structure marks a pivotal milestone in our solar energy initiative. These concrete piers serve as the bedrock of support for the entire solar infrastructure, providing stability and durability essential for the efficient functioning of the solar array.

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Precision And Accuracy Are Paramount

Our engineering team meticulously plans and designs the layout of the piers, ensuring they are strategically positioned to uphold the solar panel array's weight and withstand environmental factors such as wind and inclement weather. We adhere to industry standards and best practices to create a robust foundation that guarantees the longevity and resilience of the solar installation.

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A Solid Foundation

Environmental considerations are taken into account throughout the construction process, ensuring minimal disruption to the surrounding ecosystem. Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond energy production to encompass responsible construction practices.

By establishing these concrete piers foundations, we are ready to start Phase 2, erecting the metal support bars. Enabling the subsequent installation of solar panels will power the plastic manufacturer's operations while significantly reducing their carbon footprint.

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Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

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Follow The Build

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

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Follow The Build

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Slide
Follow The Build

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

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