How Balcony Solar Panels Could Expand Access to Renewable Energy in America
By
Robinson Meyer
Summary
This guest essay argues that plug-in, balcony, or garden solar panels could democratize access to solar energy in America, especially for renters and apartment dwellers who are currently excluded from rooftop solar or community solar programs. The author highlights how this small-scale, low-cost technology is gaining traction in more than half the country and could help reshape America's energy future by making solar power accessible to everyone, not just homeowners.
Source
Key quotes
· 5 pulledIt's not so easy to harvest the sunshine if you live in America.
Homeowners can hire someone to install solar on their rooftops, but it can take many years for it to pay for itself.
If you live in an apartment or condo, forget it — in many states, you have no options at all.
A technology — known as plug-in, balcony or garden solar — is already changing that in more than half the country.
I hope balcony solar's charisma and low cost help us imagine the energy-abundant future we are so close to achieving.
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