Around the world, every city offers something different. Though they all have hustle and bustle, lots of buildings, and usually traffic, when you’re on their streets you would never mistake San Francisco for Cairo, Toronto for Tokyo, or Berlin for Rio de Janeiro. But what about from space? During the day, these cities tend to blend in with their surrounding countryside. However, when lit up at night, it’s easy to see how varied these cities can be.

Is it possible to tell anything about the life and culture of our cities when viewing their lights from above? You might be surprised at how much.

Landmarks

Can you guess which cultural icon jumps out of this landscape?

Now, take a look at this photograph of Denver, a much newer city. The streets are mapped out in a much more orderly, grid-like way, aligned North-South and East-West.

The majority of urban areas in Tokyo use green mercury vapor lamps. Only the most newly built areas glow the standard orange.

Development

When examining a city’s lights from above, you can also learn about development, community growth, and infrastructure. Check out this unique photo of two cities from two countries side-by-side – the border towns Cuidad Juarez, Mexico and El Paso, Texas.

Solar energy is taking off. In the first quarter of 2015, solar accounted for half of all new electricity production in the United States. That's great news for consumers, because a good deal of that energy is generated by residential solar panels, which reduce the amount that homeowners pay for electricity. These sun-loving panels aren't just for experts and electricians – they are becoming ever-more accessible to the average homeowner. Read on to learn more about how the industry is heating up and how you can come along for the ride.

Prices Falling, Installations Rising

Solar, as well as its renewable energy cousin, wind, are poised to produce an ever-increasing share of the nation's energy in the upcoming decades. That's game-changing for the environment, because neither source requires fossil fuels to produce. Furthermore, an economy based on renewable energy should theoretically reduce destabilizing fluctuations in energy prices because the fuel for wind and solar is free, unlike coal, oil and natural gas.

The trend is already picking up steam. The residential solar market grew by 76 percent this year compared to the first quarter of 2014, according to a report by Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) and GTM Research. About 645,000 homes and businesses across the nation are hooked up to solar, according to SEIA, and the installation price has fallen by 73 percent since 2006. At the projected rate of growth, the nation's capacity could double in as little as two years.

An Electrician's Dream Come True

The data give “a clear glimpse into the future role that the residential sector will play as a primary driver of not only solar market growth, but the overall electricity generation mix,” Shayle Kann, Senior Vice President at GTM Research, said in a press release. “In the first quarter of this year, the U.S. installed more residential solar than natural gas, and solar on the whole accounted for 51 percent of all new electric generating brought online. We expect more than three million residential solar installations over the next five years.”

Consumer engagement is another reason for optimism. As homeowners take proactive steps toward controlling their own energy through solar, experts expect that people will also take an interest in other efficiency technologies like electric cars, smart homes and energy-efficient appliances.

Sign Up for Solar Today

Homeowners have multiple options available to help them invest in solar energy on their property. Federal tax credits will refund up to one third of installation costs through the end of 2016. Furthermore, companies like Direct Energy Solar are offering leasing options so that consumers can enjoy the savings from solar panels while fronting none of the up-front costs. If you’re interested in taking the plunge, call up an electrician or solar specialist who can assess your house for suitability and walk you through your options.

To Tampa residents, power outages are nothing new. We’ve dealt with all kinds of crazy storms and annoying weather in our time here, and it can be quite flustering if you’re not sure how to handle things. But if you’re prepared and know what to do, an outage can become little more than brief annoyance. Find out what to do during an outage with the help of the experts at Hoffman Electrical!

When homeowners think about licensed and bonded electricians, they mainly think about them in terms of fixing broken outlets in the bathroom or kitchen. Sometimes they know they need a pro for landscape lighting needs. But there are a multitude of jobs that residential electrical repair services perform.

Moving to a new home?

What you say you are moving to a new home it doesn’t always mean you’re are moving into a recently built home. Many, many people like to purchase older homes and put their own personal marks on them. Usually this means updating the kitchens and baths. A plain kitchen it turned into a chef’s kitchen with all the updated appliances. Will the electrical panel be able to handle the current for all these appliances?

Luxurious master baths are now the norm with the look and feel of an expensive spa. Along with the spa comes the jetted tub. Can the prevailing electricity run the current needed for the tub? Oftentimes the panel needs an addition to accommodate the tub jets working while other appliances are in use.

Remaining in your current home?

If you are staying where you are, you still may be thinking about making updates. The same situations apply to you. So many people like to watch the television programs about flipping homes and those about modifying homes to sell or to live in. It is not a surprise to the slippers or the construction crews when they tell their hosts that a totally new electrical panel needs to be installed or that the whole house needs rewiring. The only way you will know if you have these issues is to have your electrical system inspected by a licensed electrician.

Has your cooktop or range exhaust stopped working on your electric range? It’s time to call in an electrician. Maybe your ceiling fan has quit working and you are waiting to purchase a new one. Have you had an electrician look at it to determine the problem? He may be able to repair it and save you from buying a new one.

Want to protect you and your family with outdoor lights that come on when someone walks past your windows or doors? Your local electrician can handle that job for you. Are you considering a new hybrid car that runs on electricity? You will need a licensed electrician to install your charging station.

Trust your electrician

One you have used a bonded and insured electrician you trust, he can be your friend for life. He may even become a member of the family. When you are having electrical problems or you want to add services, he will look at the situation 360 degrees. He will view it from all angles. He knows you and your family. He will make recommendations – sometimes there will be several options. Ultimately it is your decision.

The bottom line is that you want to keep your family safe. You also want your most expensive investment to be in perfect working order.