Solar Power in Emerald and Other Renewable Energy Sources: The Real Problem

 Energy conservation. Besides 'going green', that's been a buzzword for several years now, especially since such incidents as the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. These threats to the environment had, predictably, caused people all over to raise their voices and call for a shift to renewable energy.

However, despite all that cash poured into developing such sources, we're nowhere near being almost totally reliant on renewable energy – globally, at least. For instance, solar power in Rockhampton, Australia, is currently stagnant, if not declining. Why? It's all thanks to conventional sources (like coal) all but barring the building of new solar farms.

It's not just because of legislation from the 'competition', though. Renewable energy has both pros and cons, and these have a hand in delaying the development. Let's take a look:

1. Pro: It benefits the environment. Renewable sources don't deplete the Earth's resources and results in little to no greenhouse gas emissions, dramatically reducing air pollution overall.

2. Con: Large quantities are difficult to produce. No facilities producing renewable energy have yet to be able to answer the high energy demands of a certain area. In order to answer the power demands, we either need more facilities, or we need to drop our energy usage.

3. Pro: It has economic benefits. Renewable energy is cheaper compared to other ways of generating energy, and it has the potential to create job stability for thousands.

4. Con: The upfront cost can be daunting. Even if there will be savings over the years, the initial investment is expensive, especially when power plants are concerned. That's not including the planning, implementation, and the maintenance expenses, too.

5. Pro: It's reliable. Fossil fuels is running out, however slowly, leading to a rise in costs for all those connected to it. Unlike a shortage of fossil fuel, though, renewable energy won't affect an entire region if weather disruption and the like will impede production in one area.

6. Con: The supply itself isn't too reliable. Rain, wind, and sunshine aren't completely predictable. This means that solar power systems Gladstone, say, may produce a lot of electricity one day, and produce too little the next. It won't matter how efficient the equipment, if the supply isn't stable. 

Companies Contributing to Cutting Energy Costs on Us and the Ecosystem

It can't be said enough: we only have one Earth, and the more resources we use, the less there'll be for future generations. We're already seeing the effects of overconsumption – global warming, climate change, and many others that have been buzzwords for the past year or so.

That said, companies who are doing their part to help conserve energy, say, through investing in development of more efficient off grid solar systems in Gladstone or elsewhere. However they go about it, they can pave the way to a cleaner, greener future, one step at a time. 

Image from: iclipart.com

Here are a few who've gone into energy efficiency as a way to lower emissions and all that bad stuff.

1. BuildingIQ – This company based in San Francisco helped save $700,000 worth of energy. It's also helped a hospital in Australia to cut its energy consumption by 20% - a considerable feat, given that said building measures more than 400,000 square feet.

2. Google – There seems to be nothing this company hasn't tried, and several of its attempts to tackle climate and energy concerns have been quite successful. There's its energy-efficient data centres, and its purchases of renewable energy to offset its carbon footprint.

3. Starbucks – In 2013, the company was able to purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) equal to a little under 55% of electricity used in global stores. They've also started implementing energy-saving measures in many of their branches. Not to mention they re-evaluate such measures to account for their usage.

4. Cenergistic – Operating for nearly 30 years, this company has developed energy conservation techniques and programs for their clients. They aim to help their clients change how they view and use energy, as well as cut costs by not using more power than they need.

5. AGL – An integrated energy company based in Australia, this firm owns and develops several renewable energy sources, with a wide power generation portfolio. It sources energy through such methods as landfill gas in Tasmania.

Since they also make it a point to help companies reduce energy consumption, they also offer services aimed towards that, such as electrical contracting Emerald.