Electric cars have been around for a while now. They are often a topic of discussion among people who want to find ways to cut CO2 emissions and live greener. The technology has improved, bringing us even more ways to phase out fossil fuels.

Bigger vehicles like Tesla’s all-electric Class 8 semi truck are impressive and add to the versatility of renewable energy. But there’s another advancement that Connect Electric feels should be on everyone’s radar.

The Biggest Electric Commerical Aircraft Takes Off

A Washington State airfield nestled between stretches of farmland made renewable history as the departure point for the biggest electrical commercial aeroplane thus far. The craft took off and flew for 30 minutes on 28 May 2020.

Its journey took it over Grant County International Airport where a crowd of observers cheered.

The aircraft in question was a modified Cessna Caravan 208B. It can carry up to 9 passengers. It only had one seat installed for the pilot at the time of the flight.

A small group of 9 sounds like nothing compared to the 200 to 300-seat aeroplanes that deliver passengers for holidays and work trips. Or the massive double-decker models that fly across entire continents. It may be tiny in comparison, but it was still an important first step.

Despite its small stature, the experimental plane is a noteworthy achievement for AeroTEC and MagniX. The two companies provided the electric motor and were pleased with the results.

MagniX CEO Roei Ganzarski stated that the price of flying the Cessna was a mere $6 USD (approximately $8.75 AUD). The same trip using conventional fuel would have cost around $437 to $583 AUD.

Starting Small Yields Big Results

This isn’t the first time that electricity has allowed man to fly. Previous experiments have been successfully completed that used smaller aircraft with electric engines supplied by MagniX. Those smaller endeavours are what pushes research and development toward bigger results.

It’s important to remain realistic about the timeline for full-sized commercial flights that rely on a renewable fuel source. We most likely won’t see a 100% electric-powered large-scale commercial aircraft anytime soon, or even within the next half a century. However, the technology will continue to improve and allow us to make air travel more efficient and affordable.

Energy density is one of the problems researchers face. This term refers to the number of watt-hours you can get per kilogram. Today’s lithium-ion battery has an energy density that could reach up to 250 Wh per kg while jet fuel is closer to 12,000 Wh per kg.

While that sounds like a significant difference, electrical propulsion systems help close the gap with efficient designs. They require less energy to cover more miles compared to traditional systems.

Even with that extra efficiency, fossil fuel models are still 14 times more energy-rich. Batteries can also be awkward to add to an aircraft due to their rigid shape and bulk. Liquid fuel can accommodate different shapes, like fitting inside a wing.

It may take time, but eventually, we will find ways to address these challenges and bring clean, renewable energy to the airline industry.

Most people know that solar energy is beneficial because it doesn’t consume non-renewable resources. That’s a big benefit, but it isn’t the only positive feature solar has to offer. It also helps stop pollution.

The Effects of Pollution on the Environment

Pollution can contaminate soil, air, and water. This has a dire effect on the ecosystem.

Air pollution leaves toxins on plants that are later consumed by wildlife. This can kill off essential populations of animals that are necessary to maintain the food chain. It can also increase the risk of health problems in wildlife due to contamination.

Litter like plastic and metal garbage doesn’t break down easily and can harm living things. In the ocean, discarded refuse is a serious hazard for marine animals. Pollution in the soil can kill plants or contaminate them, making anything that ingests them ill.

The Effects of Pollution on People

Pollution can also have a more personal impact when it comes to our health. Air pollution can cause respiratory illness and aggravated cardiovascular disease. It also places more stress on the heart and lungs, forcing them to work harder to supply oxygen to the body.

Short term exposure may cause discomfort but may not have a lasting effect. However, long-term exposure can cause permanent damage including accelerated aging of the lungs, loss of lung function and capacity, and the development of diseases like emphysema, bronchitis, asthma, and cancer. It can also lead to a shortened lifespan.

Water pollution can be just as dangerous. It allows water-borne diseases to spread like cholera, typhoid, malaria, jaundice, dysentery, and amoebiasis. Nitrates in water can restrict oxygen in the brain, which is especially risky for babies. Petrochemicals increase the risk of cancer, even at a low exposure rate.

Switching to Solar Stops Pollution

Solar energy is one of the most viable clean power sources we have. It can help reduce existing pollution problems and eliminate potential future concerns. How does solar stop pollution?

• No Burning Means No Air Pollution – Fossil fuels like natural gas and coal require combustion and mining. These activities produce greenhouse gas emissions that make their way into the air. The gasses produced include methane and nitrous oxide, which vent into the environment. Solar energy doesn’t burn, so no greenhouse gases are produced.
• Solar Keeps Waterways Clean – Solar doesn’t need water to generate power. That means there’s no need to tap into local waterways to keep your system running. Solar allows us to use electricity while keeping our rivers pristine.
• Less Hazardous Waste Produced – Coal-fired plants also produce millions of tonnes of toxic waste that must go somewhere. This material ends up in landfills and abandoned mines where it is out of the way but is a hazard for the environment around it. Solar doesn’t produce hazardous waste.

Solar makes it possible to go green without giving up the luxuries of modern life. Connect Electric is here to help you learn more about what life is like with renewable energy. Contact us today to find out if a new solar system can meet your needs.

Solar is affordable, accessible, and reliable in most areas. Government incentives make the prospects of a new system even more appealing.

The Empowering Homes Program in New South Wales offers zero-interest loans for installations for up to 300,000 households. In Victoria, the Solar Homes Program supplies 1,000 rebates of up to $4,838 for systems installed between 2019 and 2020. And in South Australia, the Home Battery Scheme issues rebates to approximately 40,000 households with a grant of up to $6,000 for the purchase of solar batteries.

A combination of lower cost, incentives, and higher efficiency has produced more reasons to install a new system. While great strides have been made and many people opting for renewable energy in recent years, there is still a long way to go. Solar made up just 5.2% of Australia’s total electrical energy production in 2018.

What would happen if Australia became 100% reliant on the sun to power its homes and businesses?

• Everyone Would Have to Manage Supply and Demand

Most Australians can switch on the power without a second thought. As long as you pay your bill, you can use power anytime.

When transitioning entirely to solar, everyone will have to play a role in managing supply and demand. Households and businesses will need to top up their batteries during peak sunlight hours.

Software would come into play that alerts users to switch on batteries during high-production times. We would have to play a more active role in managing our energy storage and consumption. That also means a greater emphasis on the use of energy-efficient appliances.

• Energy Will Be Produced as Locally as Possible

Energy will be produced as locally as possible – usually right on the home or building. CSIRO and Energy Networks Australia predicts that 30% to 45% of energy generation will come from customer-owned systems.

In an Australia that’s entirely reliant on renewable energy, that means seeing many more solar panels on rooftops and microgrids installed on apartment buildings.

• Lower Grid Demand Means Fewer Poles and Wires

Switching to solar removes some of the demand on the grid. It will serve a purpose, so we will still see infrastructure in communities. However, some areas may begin to be taken off the grid as solar gains a foothold. Fewer new poles and wires will be constructed and some may be removed.

• Increased Resilience to Extreme Weather Events

Extreme weather events can damage existing infrastructure and cut power to hundreds or even thousands of customers at a time. When everyone has their own power source, this becomes less of a problem. Rural and urban areas can turn into islands that continue running on standalone grids that can power the area for at least six to 12 hours.

Australia is still a long way off from becoming 100% reliant on renewables. The technology is advancing with new methods used to build and install solar panels. Connect Electric is available to help you learn more about how sustainable energy can change your life for the better. Contact us today to discuss your electricity needs.

The cost of solar panels has dropped, which eliminates the barrier to renewable energy for many people.

While many are ready to forge ahead into a greener future, some are still reluctant due to the aesthetic factor. Solar panels have a distinctive look. They are usually installed on rooftops or on land atop metal frames. Their blue colour and large size make them highly visible.

This can be off-putting for homeowners who take pride in the appearance of their home’s exterior. The functionality and savings are well worth the installation cost, but there’s little that can be done about the visual aspect of standard solar panels.

What Are Solar Skins?

SolarSkin is the creation of Massachusetts Institute of Technology startup Sistine Solar. The patent-pending technology integrates custom designs into solar panels. This allows the surface to look like just about anything, from an image to a building material or texture.

The solar panels remain effective however the graphic causes a small loss of efficiency. Sistine Solar crafts its custom panels using brands like Hanwha, Samsung, Canadian Solar, Solaria, and LG.

When applied, SolarSkin panels can look like shingles, siding, stone, or any material you might find on a building. The array isn’t completely invisible. You can still see the edges of each panel since the equipment is sitting on top of the surface it is installed on, creating a shadowed edge.

The use of different colours and textures helps the panels blend so that they grab less attention and look like they belong as part of the architecture of the home.

Should I Install Solar Skins on My Home?

Solar panel skins sound like a great idea. There are a couple of things to keep in mind before you install.

First, there is a higher cost for the luxury of matching solar panels. You should expect to pay approximately 10% more for the project than you would without the custom graphics.

There is a slight efficiency loss when using SolarSkin. You can expect to lose between 1.8% and 3% efficiency. It’s a small decrease, but something homeowners should be aware of before they buy.

Sistine Solar co-founder Ido Salamato explained that “Using the high-efficiency brands, we’re getting very competitive projects.”

“Maybe a few customers ask about efficiency, but I’m not really sure if they understand the word. Solar panels look [the way] they do because scientists and engineers developed them for maximum efficiency and lowest cost. That’s different than what a homeowner thinks when they’re powering their home. Efficiency is an option, but they’re looking at what solves their entire need.”

Solar Skins are still a newer addition to the renewable market. Sistine Solar introduced its Design Studio in 2018, which allows homeowners to build customised panels.

If you are interested in learning more or scheduling an installation, let us know. Connect Electric can provide a quote. We are available to discuss your needs and create a plan that will keep your home looking amazing while it runs on renewable energy.