More than 60% of the electricity generated in New England comes from natural gas and oil, followed by nuclear (14%) and coal (9%). Maine and New Hampshire emit over 10,000,000 metric tons of C02 emissions annually, a result of burning over 50,000,000 gallons of oil and 2,800,000,000 lbs. of coal. Additionally, the use of these fuels exports more than $5 billion annually out of the local economies.
Our region’s over-reliance on fossil fuels and the resulting carbon pollution is threatening to our tourism industry, our marine fisheries industries and our way of life. As a region, nation, and planet, we face stunning environmental challenges over the next 25 years, yet, the sunny news is that for all of the doom and gloom, there is a solution out there… In fact, that solution rises every morning!
The team at the Solutions Project recently crunched the numbers to figure out what a carbon-free future would look like. Their research supported our own, which suggests that converting just 1.5% of our region’s land mass to renewable energy generation would be able to meet all of our energy needs now and forever.
This initiative is mandatory should we hope to stop the worst effects of climate change; however, for the climate skeptics, there are vast benefits beyond saving the planet. This initiative is also the fix for our economic woes, as the work needing to be done to integrate a renewable energy economy requires skilled workers, and somewhere in the order of 500,000 new jobs would be created were we to full transition to renewable energy in the next 25 years.
Widespread adoption of solar technology is also necessary for the democratization of energy, and the increase of equity and justice for populations who have disproportionately suffered from the effects of the climate crisis. We also need to grow solar access for communities of color, indigenous communities, and other underserved populations who have been disproportionately disadvantaged by our fossil fuel based economy.
The more our states turn to locally produced solar energy to power our homes, businesses, schools, and neighborhoods, the more we can spread the environmental and economic benefits of solar to underrepresented and low-and-moderate income communities. Going solar supports the intersectional movements of environmentalism and social justice, in your community and beyond.
The technology is here and throughout this website, we explain how it works, and the powerful economic and environmental benefits. While State and National leadership leaves a lot to be desired in this major initiative (which truly should be a national effort, of the same order as the Space Race), we are excited and energized that the grassroots growth of solar is fast, and rapidly growing, thanks to conscientious, and financially-savvy solar enthusiasts throughout Northern New England.
Lucky for all of us, there is hope. The Solar Household (or business) is a tangible, affordable, and logical option for New Englanders eager to take advantage of our sunny resource.
Consider the home above, a solar powered household that runs fully on the abundant energy of the sun. While a fully 100% renewable household is not an immediately viable option for everyone, we can all take tangible steps towards lessening our impact through solar technologies.
Combining the benefits of year-round reliable solar energy, the efficiency of heating and cooling pumps, and the savings of solar backup storage, the 100% Renewable Household (or 90%, or even 60%) is a real possibility for homes and businesses today.
At ReVision Energy we have helped hundreds of customers complete the transition to living fully off of the sun’s power and more on the path to doing just that. So, whether you are just Solar Curious or already a committed Solar Champion, on your merry way to making the switch to the solar power, there are plenty of options available. Plus, the solar professionals at ReVision are ready to advise you.
This guide provides some general information about what going solar looks like, but everyone’s situation is different. Legislation and incentives differ from state to state, nor are any two houses the same.
Reach out to our expert Solar Advisor team and start your unique solar journey with a Solar Site Evaluation to see what options are available to you.
