People in Texas are still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Beryl; many have left their homes until power is restored, but not Bill Swann, who designed solar system in his backyard and has power. Although Texas ranks third in the number of small scale solar units, it ranks 20th in per capita use, many people still relying on fossil fuel.
The use of small scale solar units is growing for sure, a good sign for renewable energy. New Jersey ranks 7th in the number and 9th in the per capita ranking. There are many kinds of ways to use solar even with trees.
Partial solar, such as I have on the eastern and southern exposures of my house, gives me reduced use of the local utility company. And, in the winter, when trees are bare, the partial solar does very well. I see more and more houses installing solar, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and giving us hope for tomorrow.
Prayer for the Day
Source of heat and light, the sun you created,
Around which we revolve, has so much to give us, O God;
The days now begin to grow shorter as the summer wanes,
The early mornings still awaken us to your glory.
Grant, O Lord, that we look to the sun you have given us,
As we work towards preserving the earth that reaps its benefits.
In the name of the One who walked in the daylight,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
As reliability [on traditional fossil fuel energy suppliers] suffers, and consumers lose power more often or for longer periods, their interest in technologies and equipment that can provide them with better resiliency surges.
Ryan Barnett, solar energy company manager
Utilities are pouring more and more capital into these plants to extend their lives, in some cases to address pollution issues when they should be considering retiring these plants. “This goes back to utilities incentives — they have an incentive to increase capital spending, because they earn a guaranteed rate of return.
Brendan Pierpoint, Energy Innovation report author
O give thanks to the Lord of lords, with steadfast love enduring forever;
Who alone does great wonders, with steadfast love enduring forever;
Who by understanding made the heavens, with steadfast love enduring forever;
Who spread out the earth on the waters, with steadfast love enduring forever
Psalm 136: 3-6