Across the United States, more than 6,000 operational power plants power the nation’s economic, industrial, agricultural, and technological activities. While our nationwide electrical grid is relatively well-developed, America’s reliance on transformers and substations exposes it to all sorts of vulnerabilities. Imagine what would happen if transformers and substations across the country came under fire; several well-placed shots could easily pull the plug on various cities and communities.
According to a recent article by Christopher Martin of Bloomberg, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) says that the growing use of rooftop solar panels can prevent lengthy blackouts, as America’s electrical grid is considered vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Aside from being energy-efficient and sustainable, rooftop solar panels can be used as a valuable tool in the War on Terror. Solar roofing from Concord, CA solar companies like Roofmax can be installed on homes and buildings to provide much needed electricity and enhance national security.
California is one of the biggest solar energy producers in the country due to its sunny climate, particularly in the south. As of 2012, renewable energy comprises almost a quarter of the state’s energy production capabilities. Solar panels can transform houses and buildings into self-sustaining facilities, and solar panels remain operational even during nationwide blackouts.
During the recent Bloomberg New Energy Finance Summit in New York, FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff said that it wouldn’t take much to disable the existing power system. A couple of well fired shots or explosions could easily damage transformers and substations, ensuring that power would be unavailable for a long time. Wellinghoff believes that a distributed energy system would be more resilient to such attacks.
This analysis was prompted by a recent attack at a PG&E substation in San Jose in April; an unidentified gunman damaged five transformers, which led to the spillage of hazardous materials. This attack forced the substation to shut down for fear of overheating the system. While the damage has since been repaired, the incident triggered temporary outages around Silicon Valley.
Aside from ensuring a more reliable source of power, the installation of solar or photovoltaic roofing systems offers homeowners in Contra Costa County additional benefits. Roofing contractors from Concord, CA, like Roofmax, can design and install solar panels that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also integrate seamlessly into shingle roofs. A 2-kilowatt photovoltaic system is designed to meet nearly 100 percent of the homeowner’s annual electric needs, which leads to reductions in electric bills.
These solar panels are strong enough to withstand winds of up to 80 mph, produce pollution-free power, and can increase a home’s resale value. Many homeowners have earned cash back rebates after installing solar panels on their roofing systems as part of the California Solar Initiative program. Aside from protecting homes and businesses from outages and improving the nation’s energy security, the widespread switch to solar-generated electricity will also ensure a greener future for all.