It should not be a surprise for us to hear that we exist in the midst of a revolution of a technological boom. It would be extremely important to see the functionality side of this narrative & how it’s shaping or rather reshaping the reality of our daily lives, the direction it leads us towards & opportunity it provides.
Of course, the stage of gentrification is a critical tipping/boiling point majority of us have signed up for, be it out of the conscious choice or hype of a new beginning that collectively took upon itself. Yet, how long does new remains new & how soon does it become old. Where do these paradigms meet & what perspectives do they give us?
Well, let’s just begin by saying that the bubble of city jurisdiction life has been a gradual, continuous expansion that most of us witnessed, questioned & pondered through the cracks in the walls. A part of the process required diligent research on whether the operating structure & intentions behind it are actually working to the growth of our service, purpose & character. And let’s be honest for a moment, that in many of these aspects, how to say, not always have we been met in genuine support. Conclusively, people of today’s day we are being asked to look into options that play a role for us to come into our organic power.
Luckily, we don’t have to feel alone on this path of discovery, as we can turn to technology implementation to notice the difference.
Among many, let’s pay attention to the following two stories & their uprisal:
- EV. No, not the Enterprise Value or Evolution Volume, but an Electric Vehicle.
- Solar technology.
The first whisper of EVs began in the early 1820s when horse-drawn carriages were commonplace and the world was looking for alternative solutions to animal-powered vehicles. By the dawn of the 20th century, electric cars were extremely popular with the socialites and businessmen who could afford them. In fact, nearly one-third of all cars on the road were early EVs.
Battery technology―the electronic systems that keep EVs working and safe―and electric motor efficiency were limiting factors that worked against EV production in the 20th century. Continuous innovations in each of these technologies, such as the invention of lithium-ion in the 1980s, paved the way for a profound rise in EV manufacturing and consumer adoption. Consumers saw an increase in:
· Travel range
· Charge capacity
· Safety ratings
· Efficiency
· Performance
· Aesthetics
· Affordability
However, here is the constant thing with technology: it advances. For example, a company most of us have heard of, Samsung has just announced a breakthrough in battery tech. More specifically, solid-state batteries, are the type of battery capable of resolving many issues surrounding EVs. Researchers at the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) and the Samsung R&D Institute Japan (SRJ) decided to do an experiment:
They removed the lithium metal anodes found in solid-state batteries and replaced them with a silver-carbon composite layer. The team discovered that doing so enabled the battery to support a larger capacity, longer life cycle, and improved overall safety. The layer of silver-carbon also measures only five micrometers thick yet has an increased overall energy density.
The so-called "pouch" the team created would give an EV a range of about 500 miles and have a lifecycle of more than 1,000 recharges. In other words, an EV with a battery that lasts for up to 500,000 miles. Solid-state batteries also have even faster charging times than today's best lithium-ion batteries.
The side ultimate technology that brings us the ability to transform our view on adaptability is of course… solar cultivation.
Fossil fuels like oil, natural gas, and coal (used primarily for electricity generation), are no longer the sole sources of energy for homes today. The third millennium is becoming increasingly more focused on renewable energy sources as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. In fact, PV solar power is one of the cheapest and most popular renewable energy sources for generating electricity for modern homes.
Logistics.
Solar panels are built to work in all climates, but in some cases, rooftops may not be suitable for solar systems due to age or tree cover. If there are trees near your home that create excessive shade on the roof, rooftop panels may not be the most ideal option. The size, shape, and slope of the roof are also important factors to consider. Typically, solar panels perform best on south-facing roofs with a slope between 15 and 40 degrees, though other roofs may be suitable too. The age of the roof is also to be considered, as well as - how long until it will need replacement.
Did you know?
- An average home needs between 20 and 24 solar panels to fully offset utility bills with solar.
The number of solar panels one would need to reach sustainability depends on a few key factors, including geographic location and individual panel specifications.
Thanks to the dramatic reductions in the cost of solar energy on a per watt basis over the last several years, the number of homes outfitted with PV solar panels has increased almost exponentially, especially in parts of the country that enjoy longer sun-hour days and unobstructed cloudless skies — places like Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, and Southern California. Below are just some of the reasons why one may want to consider getting a PV solar power system for their home:
- Reduction or even elimination of energy bill entirely
- Protection against potentially increasing home energy prices
- Increased property value
- Protection over environmental concerns.
- Staying off the grid.
In terms, of anticipated expenses, PV solar panel costs per watt have decreased from about $8 to $10 per watt range in 2010 to less than $2.75-$3.85 per installed watt before incentives. The average solar energy system size in the U.S. is approximately 5 kilowatts (kW). Based on the average price of $3.06 per watt, here are some of the impressive examples we get:
Gibsonia, Pennsylvania Residence
This house has an impressive size and would not be suitable for urban settings. It belongs in the middle of nature surrounded by vegetation. 56 x 275W monocrystalline solar panels were installed on the rooftop in June 2014. The system provides a total power of 15.4 kW The roof was sturdy enough to hold so many panels and the entire job was done with aesthetics in mind. The house is built of wood and combines rough straight lines with round curves. There are plenty of windows and a screened porch to make the connection between the inside and the outdoors. The house was built on a small hill thus having uneven heights.
Cannon Beach, Oregon Residence
If we are looking for a design that says, “these people are off the grid”, we have just found it. This design screams uniqueness and it makes you think about those people who enjoy life in the middle of the woods. The curved roof didn’t pose any problems during the installation of the solar panels. The house was built with sustainable materials such as FSC-certified wood, fly-ash, and reclaimed timbers. It even has a green roof that provides additional insulation, fire resistance, and rainwater absorption. The grass is not very visible from this angle, but we can slightly see some plants on the rooftop. The heating system relies on the 5.9kW power of the PV panels, and so does the electrical system of the house.
North Carolina House
Solar thermal panels we see on the rooftop of this house heat domestic water and a radiant floor system. The solar panels do not interfere with the aesthetics of the design, since they were meticulously installed to blend with the other elements. This house has an elegant front view with columns, balcony rails, and tall windows. The natural stone you see on the front wall and at the base of the columns goes well with the stone path that’s part of a creative landscape design. This house has a rustic yet classy air and belongs to expensive neighborhoods.
One more to wrap up:
Seattle, Washington Residence
This custom-built house has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a garage, and a shop. It is a true green house built with sustainable materials and features a rooftop photovoltaic array to provide all the energy necessary for the household. Outdoor activities are allowed by the decks and patios. The shape of the house is unconventional thus making it perfect for those who want to stand out. If our purpose is to blend in the neighborhood, we should perhaps consider another design.
To expand into the world:
“Datong County”, a region in northern China, where one can see two giant pandas from a bird’s eyes perspective. One of them is waving welcomingly. They are made of thousands of solar panels…
Together, and with the other adjacent panels included, they form a 100-megawatt farm covering 248 acres. It’s actually a relatively small solar park by China’s standards – but it is certainly patriotic.
So, here we are. To see & absorb the difference our constructive power is facing in the modern day of innovations & creative novelties. Let’s keep in mind – it will only get more out of the box.