The Sun is More Than Just a Renewable Energy Source

Date: 05/02/24

With named storms already in double figures this season, and a month of winter still to go, we’re all looking forward to some sunshine this coming spring and summer. Warmer, calmer days, without worrying about losing tiles off the roof or fence panels in the back garden.

Unfortunately, summer sunshine is not always as cheery and carefree as it first appears. In fact, for certain at-risk groups, a heatwave can be deadly. So much so, that a committee of MP recently recommended that heatwaves be named, in the same way as storms, to raise awareness of their potential impact.

The power of the sun

If you have solar panels, or one of Think Hire’s portable solar power stations, you might think a sunny spell is good news. Of course, you don’t actually need sunshine to harvest this renewable energy source. Portable solar power stations work on light, not heat, and don’t actually need direct sunshine to function.

The chemical changes in portable solar panels are triggered by photons of light, rather than the heat of the sun. That means that even on an overcast winter day, you can still benefit from this renewable energy source. In fact, solar powered site lighting from Think Hire can deliver eight hours of lighting five days a week in winter.

The dangers of the heat

While a bit of sunshine is usually welcomed, too much sun can have disastrous consequences. The very young and very old, as well as pregnant women and people with pre-existing conditions are all vulnerable to heat stroke and other complications.

The medical journal, Lancet, estimates that around half a million people worldwide die as a result of excessive heat every year. The 2022 heatwave in Europe is estimated to have cost upwards of 70,000 lives. Even in the UK, with its reputation for grim, grey skies, the 2022 heatwave is estimated to have cause more than 4,500 excess deaths.

Why name heatwaves?

Naming storms, such as Agnes and Babet, Isha and Joclyn, helps raise awareness of their potential dangers. A name makes people sit up and take notice, and more importantly, take precautions to protect themselves and their property.

It’s hoped that naming heatwaves will bring the same level of attention to the dangers of hot weather. With a named heatwave on the way, people will be better prepared and take the temperatures more seriously. The committee recommended a trail of named heatwaves this summer to test the theory out.

The importance of renewable energy sources

With climate change happening before our eyes, renewable energy sources, such as Think Hire’s portable solar power stations, are more important now than they’ve ever been. It’s vital that we cut our use of fossil fuels and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, or things will just continue to get hotter, and the risks will continue to rise.

2022 saw record temperatures of 40.3°C in the UK. 2023 was the hottest year on record, and 2024 is expected to break that record. Yet soberingly, if we don’t take steps to combat climate change, the Head of Climate Services at the Met Office, Prof Jason Lowe, thinks these temperatures will not just become the norm, but will actually be seen as a cool summer.

Use the sun to beat the weather

Fortunately, you can use the sun to beat the weather all year round with the help of Think Hire. We can help with everything from using a renewable energy source to heat your welfare units in winter, to powering the air conditioning in your site office with a portable solar power station in summer. Think Hire has the innovative clean energy solutions you need to deal with the effects of climate change, while also protecting the climate for the future.

To find out more about renewable energy sources and portable solar power stations, get in touch with our team today.

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