Solar energy has an interesting history with its first, more primitive uses being as early as the 7th century B.C. The photovoltaic effect was discovered in the year 1839 by French Scientist Edmond Becquerel. Photovoltaic technology as we know it today was officially born in 1954, when Daryl Chaplin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Peterson developed the first silicon photovoltaic cell at Bell Labs. Solar panels have come a long way since their invention and have advanced tremendously in recent years.

Solar can be a great option for your business, providing a multitude of benefits ranging from lower electric bills to reduced environmental impact. As commercial solar installations become increasingly popular, it is critical to consider all of the financing options. A solar installation can be paid for in three ways: cash, solar loans, or PPAs (power purchase agreements).

SolBid, Inc. is composed of hard-working individuals, each with their own unique story. Today, we are putting the Spotlight on Chris Saettel, DoD Skillbridge Program Intern here at SolBid.

Agriculture is the world’s largest industry, employing over one billion people and generating over $1.3 trillion dollars worth of food annually. Cropland occupies around 50% of the land on Earth. It is not surprising then that the agricultural industry consumes a large amount of energy. In 2016, the agricultural industry consumed 1,872 Btu of energy, 1.9% of total US energy consumption. Farms need this energy to power machinery, irrigate crops, cool and heat facilities, provide lighting, and dry grains. Agrivoltaics, or the installation of solar panels over cropland can provide a multitude of benefits, helping source required energy from clean, renewable sources.

Today, consumers and investors are becoming increasingly focused on supporting sustainable businesses. The demand for sustainable goods has increased by over 71% in recent years, and companies are rapidly changing to keep up. According to a national survey conducted in a 2006 study, millennials are more responsive to institutions that are environmentally friendly. The results of the study showed that 83% of millennials will place more trust in an organization that is socially and environmentally responsible. Another study, conducted by the Mortgage Lender Network of the USA found that 94% of Americans prefer to work in a setting that is designed to be both energy efficient and ecologically sound. However, not all companies are truthful when it comes to claims regarding their increased devotion to sustainability. Lately, many companies have been accused of “Greenwashing”, or claiming to have greener funds and products than they actually do.

At the end of their lifespan, landfills are typically capped and grassed over, but they remain contaminated, unstable, and unsuitable for development. These capped landfills are referred to as “Brownfield sites”, which are defined as any former industrial or commercial site whose future use is affected by real or perceived environmental contamination. However, by installing solar farms on retired landfills, Brownfields can be turned into what are known as “Brightfields”, defined by the U.S. Department of Energy as any solar project built on a brownfield site. Brightfields are becoming increasingly popular and provide many benefits to the surrounding communities.