To stop global warming and dangerous CO2 emissions we need to put coordinated and concentrated efforts in every part of the society- government, business, and the community. This includes all of us as homeowners. As homeowners, we can play a major part in keeping our planet green by getting smart, going solar and reducing our collective carbon footprint.

At least one industry research firm has taken a bullish approach Today’s smart homes have energy-efficient appliances connected through the internet and you can turn on your light and heat before you reach your driveway and check on your kids from work.  You can water your yard from another country. But to do all these your home needs energy and a solar system plus battery storage can provide you with that energy.

And another research firm anticipates that the world will have 43 gigawatts of solar panels installed by the end of 2014. Either way both companies are showing strong and stable growth for the industry.

Market conditions have stabilized for the solar industry over the past few years, following a period of wild growth, which led first to undersupply then oversupply of solar panels by photovoltaic manufacturers in particular.

Manufacturing over-capacity and pricing erosion within the PV industry was previously a key factor in limiting annual growth to 10 percent to 20 percent between 2011 and 2013.

With a more stable pricing environment and the prospects of increased end-market globalization, research firms forecasts a return to annual growth above 30 percent for the PV industry in 2014.

It also anticipated that during that six-month period in 2014, 22 gigawatts of solar panels will be installed.