Go ahead: Saving the World (And Your Wallet) With Solar Energy
When they say the sky’s the limit with solar energy, they’re not being hyperbolic.
In the past few years, the cost of installing solar equipment has dramatically decreased, while the energy provided by those thermal solar panels has increased. To go green is not just an investment in the planet’s future, but also a wise financial move. As the environmental impact of our fossil fuel-based economy makes the need for sources of renewable energy stark, solar energy is becoming the cleanest, most efficient, and cost-effective method of not only living, but thriving, in the 21st century.
If you want to save the world and your wallet, switching to solar energy is your best option.
SOLAR PANELS HEALTH BENEFITS
In addition to aiding the environment and the household budget, switching to solar energy has a number of health benefits. Unlike petroleum-based sources of energy that contribute to greenhouse gases, solar panels provide energy without any significant pollution. This translates into better air and water quality for everyone.
Consider this: if every household in Los Angeles switched to thermal solar panels and started driving electric cars, the smog that often blankets the city would rapidly dissipate. Every citizen could literally breathe easier knowing that the harmful petroleum particulates from heavy traffic congestion were disappearing from their environment.
The wide array of solar panels health benefits also extend to other types of solar equipment. For example, solar shades and solar screens, which are usually made from a polyurethane mesh and can easily be installed in individual windows, can transform an overheated home into a cool, energy-efficient dwelling. So what are the specific benefits of solar screens and solar shades?
Solar screens:
Reduce heat
Reduce air conditioning bills
Provide visual privacy
Solar shades:
Elegantly filter sunlight
Provide aesthetic variety
Reduce heat and UV rays
Many homeowners who are considering purchasing a form of renewable energy often ask: what are the benefits of using passive solar energy? Passive solar energy can be defined in several ways, but the most common application of this term refers to the design of structures so that the actual physical building efficiently uses the sunlight to keep the occupants cool or warm without the need for additional electronics or equipment.
Those who are considering using passive solar energy should speak with an architect or designer to see what existing modifications can be made to their home or building so that it harvests the full benefits of the sun without the need for modifications. Frequently, adding insulation, placing screens over windows, and eliminating drafty or “inefficient” spaces can dramatically improve the energy usage of a home.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR UV RADIATION?
Like all good things, solar UV radiation is best in moderation. For humans, exposure to a small amount of UV radiation can help foster the production of Vitamin D, but in most cases doctors recommend limiting direct exposure to only a few minutes a day.
Most solar panels currently do not make much use of this form of radiation. Most panels convert the bulk of their energy from the visible light spectrum, which constitutes roughly 43% of all the sunlight that reaches earth. Currently, the UV radiation accounts for only 4% of the sunlight on our planet.
WHAT ARE THE COST BENEFITS OF SOLAR ENERGY?
Depending on the specific state in which you live, tax incentives, energy company rebates, and other special programs can reduce your energy bill by over 30% after you install solar panels. The savings are expected to only increase in the coming years, as installation costs continue to plummet while the total production of watts by the panels climbs. Homeowners who invest now will reap the benefit of technology that has been developed and refined over a period of several decades. The popularity of these panels in residential neighborhoods is helping to drive costs down across the board.
Homeowners notice the biggest savings during peak seasonal energy usage. On especially hot summer days, for example, a home with solar panels has all the energy it needs to stay comfortably cool. Those homes that are solely on the electrical grid, on the other hand, may experience power outages or exceedingly high charges. Solar panels equip homeowners to weather almost any power situation without worrying about the expensive reality of supply and demand.
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS TO HELP PREVENT CLIMATE CHANGE?
Many scientists agree that climate change is powered primarily by greenhouse gases which increase the heat trapped in the atmosphere. These gases, which include carbon dioxide and methane, are often created when certain fuel sources, such as coal, are burned. Solar panels offer one of the best ways to conserve coal and prevent climate change, as both the production and installation of solar panels creates very little, if any, greenhouse gases.
Another one of the ways to conserve coal is to build homes that have plenty of insulation and do not require either excessive cooling or warming during the seasonal shifts throughout the year. Triple-paned windows, for example, will retain heat during the winter, and prevent cool air from escaping inside of the house during the summer. A poorly built home that does not make good use of installation ultimately costs far more to heat and cool than one with sufficient energy-conscious construction.
HOW CAN WE PROTECT AND RESTORE SOLAR ENERGY?
Who among us doesn’t want to go green? Anyone who reads news reports about rising sea levels, wildfires, extensive droughts and flooding knows that the need for a healthier energy infrastructure is crucial. The environmental impact of drilling for oil, burning petroleum, and adapting to the resulting catastrophic climate change is not only ruinous for the planet, but is becoming increasingly expensive for every person on earth. To build a sustainable community solar energy requires far less money, danger, and pollution.
The best news is that solar energy is constantly being generated by our sun, and likely will be for the next several billion years. Unlike any other energy resource on earth, solar energy is endlessly renewable. To protect and restore solar energy, all we need to do is learn how to best harness it. As time progresses, we are learning how best to meet that goal.
Numerous products exist to help homeowners, business operators, and concerned citizens everywhere make the most of solar energy. From screens to shades to panels, the industry has created a variety of simple yet enormously effective equipment that rapidly reduces the costs of living while creating a clean and renewable way of life.
To join a thriving community solar energy enthusiasts only need to ask practical questions: do they have a roof, how many windows are in their home, and what are the measurements of each? The costs are minimal and the savings are considerable. Installation can be completed in a fast timeframe, and the savings can begin immediately.
The truth is that much like a bank account, solar energy often accumulates over a period of time, providing a homeowner with a reserve of power that they can use to meet all of their energy needs. With the exception of occasional light maintenance, after the panels are installed solar energy requires very little from the homeowner except the desire to enjoy saving money while receiving clean energy with a minimum of effort.
Instead of being part of the problem of climate change, with solar energy responsible citizens can become part of the solution.
