Easy Energy Savings

In the energy sector, the term "low-hanging fruit" refers to the often elusive green energy source that is characterized by the following factors:

* high energy efficiency

* ability to reduce fossil fuel consumption

* ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

* high and fast ROI

Low Hanging Fruit Saves

30-year energy veteran and Sunbolt Energy Systems' President, Dennis Forsberg, further clarified the term in a previous interview, "[The] low-hanging fruit in the energy tree refers to items that are relatively easy [to generate], low-cost and with fast payback and high financial return". Mr. Forsberg was describing the emerging technologies that are being developed in the solar energy sector that greatly improve either 1) the efficiency of existing equipment; or, 2) the viability of methods that substantially reduce energy consumption. Said technologies have greatly improved the existing infrastructure for harnessing, converting, storing, and distributing solar power as consumable electrical energy. Following these improvements, the solar panels of today-both for home and industrial use-have already become excellent investments that rein in high returns in a relatively short period of time.

As Mr. Forsberg added, energy efficiency standards have been mandated by the federal and several state governments to jumpstart the green, renewable energy sector whose commercial successes have-at best-been marginal even when the basic technologies have been around for decades. The new initiatives are part of a national energy strategy that aims to ensure self-sufficiency, exploit renewable sources, minimize dependence on fossil fuels, and reduce the environmental impact of energy consumption. In particular, reconfiguration of green power sources such that they perform at acceptable energy efficiency has become rallying cry among legislators in Sacramento, California.

Solar energy is high on the list of green, renewable energy sources. SunBolt Energy Systems, the solar power contracting company headed by Mr. Forsberg, count years of experience installing green solar panels across Northern California and has achieved noteworthy successes as the demand for solar panels with high energy efficiency steadily increased. Many consumers of alternative energy consider reduced environmental imprint and long-term savings as the most compelling reasons to go green.

When applied to energy consumers, "low hanging fruit" particularly refers to very favorable returns on capital expenditures. Many people are already aware of the benefits of installing solar panels at home, including substantial cuts on utility bills. However, until a few years ago, the cost of installing solar panels was very prohibitive, causing understandable delays in market traction. Current ROI, however, is becoming more and more attractive to energy consumers, making investments on solar panels financially rewarding. As stated, short-term benefits include a sizable reduction in utility bills and eventual coverage of the initial capital outlay within a few years. In addition, some states such as California mandate power utility providers to compensate homesteads who provide excess power to the grid, translating to an income stream for homeowners who generate levels of electricity from solar panels in excess of their household needs.
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These trends indicate that green electricity is not only safe but economically beneficial as well. The key is to continually develop technologies that upgrade energy efficiency and, as is being done in California, provide the legislative infrastructure that proactively encourages the adoption of green energy sources.