Amidst the daily avalanche of tough and tragic news about the climate crisis, we occasionally find some positive signs for hope.
Ambitious new targets for the nation's solar capacity were announced today by the White House-
Solar energy provided less than 4 percent of the country’s electricity last year, and the administration’s target of 45 percent would represent a huge leap and will most likely take a fundamental reshaping of the energy industry.
The new Biden goal is in line with what most climate scientists say is needed. Those experts say that reducing net emissions of greenhouse gases to zero by 2050 is essential to limiting the worst effects of global warming
The NY Times piece goes on to mention the need for a large increase in energy storage to make that goal a reality. Battery use is essential for getting solar where it needs to be at the time when it's needed.
I, for one, have been looking for this kind of leadership for many years. Electric cars are great and all, but if we are filling their "gas tanks" with coal power, the net result is at best a wash.
Anothet great option will be to vastly increase the number of solar parking lots around the nation at businesses and other public buildings as well as housing complexes.
Having worked in the industry for the past several years, I have seen both the growth 1st hand, and the challenges of meeting spikes in demand. Only a federal boost can get us where we need to be in the time needed, so let's hope the money gets put where the mouth wants us to be this time.
We have waited far too long already.
