January 5, 2015

Solar Is Changing the Game

At the start of 2015, solar energy is booming. It’s been a long time coming, but financial incentives for renewables along with more affordable panels are finally having a notable impact in states like California.

By Sheril Kirshenbaum

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

At the start of 2015, solar energy is booming. It's been a long time coming, but financial incentives for renewables along with more affordable panels are finally having a notable impact in states like California.

I'm not surprised. When I moved to Monterey in 2013, I met Solar City reps on my first trip to Home Depot. They clearly and concisely explained the benefits of adding solar panels to our roof and even sent a sales person to meet with us in our home to discuss what we could save. Ultimately, we didn't add panels because we knew we would be moving again soon, but their reps made a very convincing case. And during our nine month residency, many neighbors made the change. California now accounts for a quarter of all the rooftop solar systems in the U.S. and the state's utility companies are getting nervous.

Here's why -

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

When you install solar panels on your home, state laws require utility companies to pay you for the power that goes back onto the electric grid. With so many residents warming up to this technology, electricity bills are going down, so customers are paying less. The utilities need to make up lost revenue, but it's complicated.

Companies like PG&E are interested in raising rates with a monthly charge to cut losses, but this would likely encourage more customers to add solar panels. So an added fee would not be a long-term solution for utilities. So this cycle - or "death spiral" according to NPR - continues. Further, it's not just happening in California, but expanding to other regions of the nation as well. (Although I don't expect utility companies in my new state of residence - Michigan - to be very concerned about solar competition anytime soon.)

What happens over the coming decades? I suspect utility companies will have to change their business model--because solar is changing the game.

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American