Positive Energy
Our reliance on fossil fuels has reached a tipping point.
As energy costs and volatile oil prices impact operational business costs, governments look for safer energy supply and consumers push industry for clean energies and less air pollution for their children.
As a society, the time has come to make a positive impact on climate change and reduce our CO2 footprint.
The transition to a non-oil civilization is finally on the way with greater, cleaner renewable energy capacity and more Electric Vehicles on the road.
Even if only 2% of global electricity is currently generated by non-hydro renewable sources, renewable energies such as solar and wind are the most attractive alternative and clean solutions to move forward.
The global investment in renewable energy in 2007 totaled $148.4 billion USD, up 60% from 2006 according to a study from the United Nations.
In the USA, wind and solar PV are the fastest growing renewable energy sectors. In 2008, wind capacity installations increased by 51% and solar PV grew 44% over the previous year.
Much of this increase has come from solar energy and wind power, whose prices have declined steeply over the past few years.
For instance, the cost per watt of a photovoltaic module has dropped drastically in 2009, making it more and more affordable for homes and companies.
In Canada, the Green Energy Act signed in May 2009 is the most aggressive incentive program in the world and promises to accelerate the demand in clean energies.
With proposed feed in tariffs of up to 80.2¢CAN/kWh (US$0.64/kWh, €0.47/kWh) for solar power generation, fixed and guaranteed for 20 years, Ontario would have the most favorable incentives currently available worldwide for roof mounted systems below 100kWh.
Positive Energy is in the air. Changing tomorrow may be as simple as changing the color of your watts.
