Kosmos Solar is your number one choice for solar panel installation in North Texas, and your trusted solar energy news source. Solar energy is making headlines this month as it continues to outperform coal and other fossil fuels, and new solar technologies are entering the market, including some that make life more convenient for brewers. Elon Musk is back in the news this month for setting an ambitious goal for solar roof production. It’s an exciting time to be part of the renewable energy industry!
Renewable Energy Beats Coal and Nuclear for 2nd Month
The energy generated by solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources has surpassed the amount produced by coal, nuclear, and other non-renewable energy sources for the second month in a row.
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) released data showing that renewable energy sources accounted for more than a fifth of the energy generated during the first five months of 2019. Solar energy use grew by 10.9% in that period and accounted for 2.6% of the power generated throughout the country. Small-scale solar power systems, like rooftop solar panel installations, provided a third of the solar power generation.
Renewables now outperform coal, oil, and nuclear power, putting them in second place behind natural gas as the most powerful energy source in the nation.
Solar-Powered Breweries: The New “Green” Beer
You’ve probably heard of sun tea, or tea left out to brew in the sun. But what about sun beer? Maybe brewers aren’t leaving their batches out in the sun, but they are making smart decisions when it comes to saving on energy costs. Breweries are using solar power at higher rates than ever before in an attempt to reduce their electric bills and support the green power initiative.
Microbreweries, breweries that produce 15,000 or fewer barrels per year, use an average of 180,000 – 330,000 kw hours just to produce their beer. That costs between $25,000 and $50,000 annually! By making the switch to solar, brewers can greatly reduce their operating costs and save hundreds of thousands of dollars on electricity over the lifetime of their solar panels.
Elon Musk’s Ambitious Solar Roof Plan
Elon Musk has set a goal of producing 1,000 Tesla solar roofs per week by the end of 2019. Musk took to Twitter to announce his intentions, but experts are skeptical that he can make it happen. They point to the long production times required to produce the roofs and the turmoil at the Gigafactory 2 where the roofs are made. Production bottlenecks seem to be the main reason why the roofs are taking so long to produce.
As of now, Tesla’s solar roofs have been installed in only a handful of homes across 8 states. Analysts have been quoted saying it is more likely that Musk will put a man on the moon than reach his production goals by the end of the year. The CEO seems unfazed by their doubts. California’s new residential solar mandate is expected to spur demand for the solar roofs, but how much remains to be seen.
Kosmos Solar: Your Solar Energy Source in North Texas
At Kosmos Solar, we stay up to date with renewable energy headlines so we can keep you informed about the latest solar energy advancements. We are your most trusted source for residential and commercial solar panels, ground- or roof-mounted. When you’re ready to make the switch to solar, Kosmos is here to help! Call us today for a free estimate for solar panel installation for your North Texas area home or business.