I TRULY believe there are a few areas in our lives that need to be governed by our own decisions, and energy is one of them. I do not expect the cost of energy to decrease any time soon. We have been prisoners to foreign oil for many years, especially on Guam. But now we do have the technology to lower our energy bills at a reasonable cost.
To understand how energy is generated, delivered and used, the renewable energy industry has come up with the term “energy footprint.” The first and most critical step we need to take along our energy footprint path is energy efficiency. Always remember that the number one rule in saving energy is not conserving energy, but simply not to use it at all.
Educating our family about turning lights and computer monitors off and controlling our air conditioning usage can have a dramatic effect on our utility bills. My customers come to me asking for solutions that are energy efficient that will last for years, which is understandable for the money that is invested. I advise my customers to use a combined technology approach that can lower their footprint and energy bills. I put the “power” in their hands to make their goals attainable.
The renewable energy industry has made strides to provide energy-efficient solutions with a long-term approach to energy independence. These solutions can now put the power in your hands to make an educated decision to install renewable energy. Guam is the perfect location for solar energy. Taking advantage of our most abundant natural resource, the sun, is not only smart but can be very profitable.
Using solar energy for our long-term strategy of energy independence on Guam makes complete sense. Guam has made strides in helping power consumers accomplish net metering. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, “net metering allows residential and commercial customers who generate their own electricity” from renewable energy such as wind or solar power “to feed electricity they do not use back into the grid.” In other words, it is now feasible on Guam to zero your energy costs and obtain a one for one credit for the extra power you create. With the cost of renewable energy systems dropping, you can expect a reasonable payback period before you are enjoying free, clean, efficient and sustainable energy. These new technologies are built to last with some of the newer solar systems constructed to last 50-plus years with limited degradation on your solar energy system.
The acceleration of renewable energy technology along with the economies of scale could not have come at a better time. I believe we have a moral obligation to our planet. Our children and future generations will live on this beautiful planet and we must be as efficient as possible and capitalize on these reliable power resources to help defend it. Our planet is facing the rapid deterioration of our oceans, worldwide destructive climate changes and patterns, and soon a shortage of crude oil. Now is the time to act. We can no longer live as business as usual.
The bottom line is we all win with renewable energy. We save money, help save the environment, and help ourselves to become more energy independent along the way. We now have the power to change our lives. Power to the people!
To understand how energy is generated, delivered and used, the renewable energy industry has come up with the term “energy footprint.” The first and most critical step we need to take along our energy footprint path is energy efficiency. Always remember that the number one rule in saving energy is not conserving energy, but simply not to use it at all.
Educating our family about turning lights and computer monitors off and controlling our air conditioning usage can have a dramatic effect on our utility bills. My customers come to me asking for solutions that are energy efficient that will last for years, which is understandable for the money that is invested. I advise my customers to use a combined technology approach that can lower their footprint and energy bills. I put the “power” in their hands to make their goals attainable.
The renewable energy industry has made strides to provide energy-efficient solutions with a long-term approach to energy independence. These solutions can now put the power in your hands to make an educated decision to install renewable energy. Guam is the perfect location for solar energy. Taking advantage of our most abundant natural resource, the sun, is not only smart but can be very profitable.
Using solar energy for our long-term strategy of energy independence on Guam makes complete sense. Guam has made strides in helping power consumers accomplish net metering. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, “net metering allows residential and commercial customers who generate their own electricity” from renewable energy such as wind or solar power “to feed electricity they do not use back into the grid.” In other words, it is now feasible on Guam to zero your energy costs and obtain a one for one credit for the extra power you create. With the cost of renewable energy systems dropping, you can expect a reasonable payback period before you are enjoying free, clean, efficient and sustainable energy. These new technologies are built to last with some of the newer solar systems constructed to last 50-plus years with limited degradation on your solar energy system.
The acceleration of renewable energy technology along with the economies of scale could not have come at a better time. I believe we have a moral obligation to our planet. Our children and future generations will live on this beautiful planet and we must be as efficient as possible and capitalize on these reliable power resources to help defend it. Our planet is facing the rapid deterioration of our oceans, worldwide destructive climate changes and patterns, and soon a shortage of crude oil. Now is the time to act. We can no longer live as business as usual.
The bottom line is we all win with renewable energy. We save money, help save the environment, and help ourselves to become more energy independent along the way. We now have the power to change our lives. Power to the people!
Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.
For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/.