Many people seem to think that solar energy exists mainly in the future. While it is true that solar will be far more prevalent five, ten, and 20 years from now, for anyone looking intelligently at business today, it is very much something to be considered in the present. All over the world, people and businesses are taking the initiative and installing solar power systems for their homes or businesses. They are also pushing governments at all levels to incentivize solar power. This is a very exciting time to be in the sustainable energy business.
Nothing is more sustainable than solar. The sun is not going to burn itself out any time soon. The average photovoltaic (PV) array has a life expectancy of 40 years. Warranties are typically 25 years. Furthermore, with rising energy prices, solar electricity now pays for itself after only 8-10 years in most places.
Look at it this way: You’re getting a guaranteed return. Few investments offer that security. After ten years, the owner of a PV array gets free electricity for 15-30 years. If energy prices continue going up, as seems likely with billions of new consumers online in China and India, a PV array could turn out to be quite profitable in the long term from an investment standpoint.
The thing is, you have to take the long-term view where solar power systems are concerned. It can be expensive to install a solar system, especially if you hire someone else to do it for you. The return is guaranteed, though, unless the sun stops supplying energy to this planet, in which case everyone will have bigger worries than our investments.
Do you see the opportunity here? If you care to see it: You could be that other guy whom people pay to install solar power. This business is growing steadily all over the country, even in this deep recession. Homeowners are installing PV systems. So are large businesses. A popular restaurant chain announced recently its undertaking of a major solar project. Personally, I would have bought stock in that company when I heard the news. This is a company that is in it for the long haul, a company that expects to be around for a while.
The bottom line is that people and businesses taking advantage of this technology now are the people and businesses that will be around in the future. Solar power itself is quite efficient now. Make no mistake: it is here to stay.
Check out these DIY solar energy products.
Triodos Bank has just invested £300,000 in a UK solar installation business. In its view, government incentives (notably the Feed-in Tariff which came into force this month), the falling cost of equipment and the commitment from the social housing sector to build to higher environmental standards mean that the solar energy sector could see increased growth this year. SolarUK is one company which has seen heightened interest in its solar PV panels and LaZer2 system for solar thermal as householders see solar microgeneration as ever more cost-competitive.