Let’s be clear: combating climate change is not an endeavor to be confined to a single day each year. It requires our daily efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of climate change and build the necessary support to address it.
That being said, December 8 is World Climate Day. While this day doesn’t alter our ongoing mission, it does provide an opportunity to reflect on our achievements and identify areas for improvement in creating a more sustainable world.
At Freedom Solar, our commitment to fighting climate change is a fundamental reason why we come to work each day. We take immense pride in the fact that every solar panel we install reduces our reliance on fossil fuels. Our work makes a positive impact in several key areas:
- Improving Local Air Quality: By decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, solar energy contributes to cleaner air and a healthier environment.
- Enhancing Grid Resilience: Solar power diversifies the energy mix, strengthening the resilience of the electricity grid.
- Mitigating Rising Energy Costs: Solar energy offers a stable and predictable energy source, protecting consumers from fluctuating energy prices.
- Promoting Energy Independence: By replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources, solar fosters a more sustainable and self-sufficient future.
For these reasons and more, solar energy is effecting meaningful change. Even as a strong advocate for solar, I am astounded by the industry’s rapid growth.
Solar currently accounts for over half of the world’s renewable energy capacity—reaching 60%, or 300 gigawatts globally, last year. In the United States, solar power generates enough electricity to power more than 22 million homes.
The impact of this clean energy is significant. At Freedom Solar, we have installed solar systems for over 24,000 customers, helping to avoid more than 1.7 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This impact is equivalent to planting 13.5 million trees or taking 175,000 cars off the road.
Moreover, solar energy helps protect people from high energy bills and blackouts, especially when enhanced by large battery storage systems. By empowering individuals and businesses, we are steadily contributing to a cleaner, safer world—one block and one house at a time.
As we acknowledge World Climate Day, let’s take a moment to reflect on how we can collectively contribute to a more sustainable and assured planet. I am grateful to be part of a community that, through transformative clean technologies, is already making remarkable strides toward a better future.