Consumers should embrace clean energy alternatives only after educating themselves on the technologies and necessary commitments
Sheri Givens is the former head of the Texas Office of Public Utility Counsel. She is currently an energy consultant providing policy research, expert analysis, regulatory strategy and advice on state and federal laws and regulation, emerging energy technologies, domestic and international energy markets, and general consumer utility issues.
700 gigawatts. According to the International Energy Agency, this number represents the amount of renewable electricity additions over the next five years (and is double the amount of Japan's current installed capacity). It is safe to say that renewable energy sources are taking off. And as more renewable energy sources come online, it is exciting to see certain technologies, like rooftop solar panels, gaining traction among homeowners nationwide.
Similar to any new industry, with rooftop solar, everyone wants a piece of the innovation pie. Look at the ride-sharing industry, for example. Uber has revolutionized the transportation space. While it is very impressive to see the success the company has achieved, it is just as interesting to see competitors step onto the scene, offering various services that might give them a competitive edge. As companies like Lyft and Gett mirror Uber's offerings, but also seek to gain an edge through additional, different incentives for customers, a new competitive marketplace is born. Existing forms of transportation are also jumping in, like cab companies which now can be contacted by an app.