Braden Hurst, closest to the camera, and Mark Hostetler work on a solar panel system off CR 1300N, west of Milford. The two are employees of Solar Energy Systems of Nappanee.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Thomas Edison once said “So long as the sun shines, man will be able to develop power in abundance.”

As far back as 1913, a solar thermal power plant was developed and even centuries before then inventors and others marveled at the concept of how the sun could be harnessed to help humanity.

Today, with the increasing emphasis on renewable energy and looking to alternative sources besides oil, the idea of solar power is increasing in popularity. About a year ago, the world’s largest concentrated solar power plant opened in Morocco and the U.S. Department of Energy estimated by the end of 2016, solar panels could represent nearly 40 percent of the nation’s new electric generating capacity.

Glen Miller, owner of Advanced Solar Distributor in Leesburg, said he has seen an increase in the use of solar power. A big reason is because of the reduction in cost of a solar panel. Miller estimated the cost has dropped by as much as two-thirds. “You get a better return on your investment now,” he said.

There is also a federal tax credit of 30 percent available until 2019 for all solar power users such as residential, commercial and agriculture. And there is a USDA Rural Development 25 percent grant available in Indiana for agriculture and rural small businesses. “Between those two, you can get 55 percent of your system paid for,” Miller said.

Other factors are involved, too, such as mass production of solar systems driving the cost down, he said. During the last 10 years technology has improved and the efficiency of the solar cells is better. Efficiency of solar system inverters has also increased. Inverters convert the direct current output of a solar panel into a utility frequency alternating current that can be fed into a commercial electric grid.

Miller said solar power systems are more visible now in public markets and power companies such as AEP and NIPSCO have installed systems and there is a large one at the Indianapolis Airport. “People are seeing those more and it creates more interest,” he said.

Winter is a natural challenge to solar systems because the sun doesn’t shine as much. But he noted systems produce more than needed during the summer months and credits given by the electric company are built up. “During the winter months, you use the credits,” he said.

Kosciusko REMC has seen an increase the past two years in its members connecting with the solar generation of power. According to information provided by Katy Berger, energy advisor for KREMC, and Kathy Joyce, vice president of marketing and communications for Wabash Valley Power, “from a utility perspective, we have seen a reduction in panel costs, which is making a solar a reasonable option for the continued diversification of our power supply portfolio.” Wabash Valley Power is the power supplier for KREMC.

Solar panels can be linked to form what are known as solar arrays, which are designed to absorb the sun’s rays as a source of energy for generating electricity or heating. Wabash Valley Power hopes to launch construction of three new arrays in March that would generate 1.8 megawatts of solar power that would be made available to members of electric cooperatives (including KREMC) throughout the service territory.

KREMC stressed, though, solar power alone can’t be depended on “to meet the ever-changing consumption patterns of customers.” Solar provides the most energy during the day, but the wind blows more in the evening hours, for an example.

And, concurring with what Miller said, utilities have to back up resources to fill in for the times when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing.