Solar energy is so much more valuable than most people think. You may know that harnessing energy from the sun is better for the environment than relying on the grid. However, did you know that the power that the sun provides for just one hour could meet our global energy needs for a year if we could harness it correctly?
For now, we’re only able to capture a tiny fraction of the sun’s energy. However, installing solar panels around the globe is one of the best ways that we can take advantage of the benefits of solar energy, cut our emissions, and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
Over the years solar panels have become increasingly more efficient and affordable. That means that renewable energy is more accessible today than it’s ever been before. Whether you’re looking into ways of reducing your carbon footprint and lowering the risk of global warming, or you’re just interested in the possibilities of clean energy then it’s time to get a better understanding of the benefits of solar energy.
Why Should We Use Solar Energy?
While there are a lot of solar power advantages to consider, the main reason that most people consider installing solar panels is that they know how important it is for environmental benefits.
Solar power is one of the only 100% clean and renewable energy sources that we have. Switching to this kind of power strategy is one of the best ways to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels like oil and coal. Fossil fuel is a finite resource (something that we don’t have endless supplies of). Additionally, they’re responsible for producing harmful emissions that affect the quality of everything from the water and air to the soil that we use to grow food.
Between the years of 2000 and 2065, experts predict that we could lose more species of animals and plants on earth to extinction than in the last 65 million years – all because of the way that we’re mistreating our planet.
In contrast, solar energy doesn’t produce any dangerous pollution or carbon emissions at all. The abundant sunpower offers an unlimited resource of energy that doesn’t harm the landscape or the ozone layer. Residential solar panels and energy systems represent an investment not just in your home but in the future of the planet too.
What Are The Environmental And Health Benefits Of Solar Energy?
Solar energy is valuable because it’s renewable. However, there are more benefits to using a solar energy system than you might think. For instance, you can use solar panels to create energy production for a wide range of diverse purposes. Some groups are using this technology to deliver electricity to places that don’t have access to the traditional electricity grid. Others are using solar energy to reduce electricity prices, power satellites in space, and even distill water in places without clean drinking supplies.
While there’s no guarantee of how long or old-fashioned energy sources and fossil fuels will continue to last, NASA predicts that the sun will shine for at least another 6.5 billion years. Harnessing this as an energy source doesn’t cause any carbon dioxide emissions or footprints. While there are some minor emissions associated with the production of solar panels, they’re minimal compared to the electricity costs of fossil fuels.
Additionally, solar power is widely available to places all around the world. If you get sunlight, then you can start installing solar panels tomorrow. It’s that simple. The sunnier parts of the world can even produce more energy to support people on the grid elsewhere in the globe.
Because solar panels don’t produce any harmful greenhouse gas emissions like coal and gas, that also means that they don’t lead to any smog or air pollution either. The less amount of dangerous chemicals in our air means that we can create a healthier world for both the current generation and the generations to come.
For many people, the most admirable advantage of solar energy is the fact that it does incredible things for the environment and our health as a species, while simultaneously helping countries to make the transition away from fossil fuels. Solar cells help us to move away from everything from greenhouse gasses, to expensive non-renewable energy.
Understanding The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Solar Energy
For the most part, it’s safe to say that getting our electricity from solar panels is a no brainer.
Even outside of the benefits of solar energy for the planet, there are some massive additional advantages to consider. For instance, talk to anyone in a community solar scheme, and they’ll tell you that the cons of solar energy don’t compare to the upsides of things like a reduced electricity bill and more efficient electricity generation.
Although the top benefit of solar panels might be that they help to protect the planet, the second best thing is that this technology can help your bank account too. When you install solar cells in your home, you reduce your reliance on grid electricity. This means that your energy bill will go down drastically. The more you develop your energy independence, the more you save. There are even estimation tools online that can help you to predict exactly how much you can save when it comes to energy prices when you use solar electricity.
Due to a vast number of new incentives being delivered by the government, you could even find that your solar energy systems help you to turn a profit with your electricity generation too. Solar renewable energy credits and things like net metering are excellent features that allow you to earn bill credits and additional cash when your system is producing energy.
Installing a solar array can also improve your chances of making more money on your home in the future. As more of us try to avoid things like natural gas and fossil fuels, many homes are looking for their chance to embrace a renewable energy source. Since we can’t build wind farms in our back gardens, rooftop solar is often the easiest way to get started.
Studies have shown that property values almost always increase when a home is equipped with solar technology. Getting a solar installation on your home could be the easiest way to attract future buyers – particularly among younger generations that are more careful about how they affect the planet. So, with all of those benefits, how could anyone say no to solar systems?
Addressing The Disadvantages Of Solar Panels
There are no “downsides” to solar energy from a planetary perspective. The most significant disadvantage that most people note when it comes to solar panels – is that they cost money. PV arrays are expensive to make and install. Depending on the demands of your solar installation, you could spend thousands on getting it set up.
The good thing about solar energy is that governments are quickly seeing the benefit of it. This means that they’re searching for ways to get the technology installed into as many homes as possible. Usually, if you do a little digging, you’ll be able to find some government subsidies and benefits that allow you to cut the costs of solar power by significant amounts. Although there can be some initial outlay for your solar projects at first, the price is often a lot smaller than you would expect when you add in all of the tax credit options. What’s more, when you’re creating your energy to reduce your electric bill, you’ll find that you make money back rapidly too.
Some other downsides of solar power include:
- Storing energy can be expensive: If you want a battery to smooth out things like demand and load on your solar system, that means that you’ve got more costs to think about. The good news is that there are many ways to cut the costs of these investments too. Plus, the money you earn and make from collecting energy will soon pay off your debt.
- Solar panels require space: You’re going to need some space for your solar panel installation. If your roof isn’t an option, then you might need to look at the area in your yard. Most of the time, however, you should be able to install solar on the roof relatively easily.
- Solar panels don’t move to a new house with you: Once you’ve made an investment in solar panels for your home, you can’t take that technology with you if you decide to move. The good news, however, is that if you do decide that it’s time to switch homes, you should be able to list your property for a significantly higher price when it has a solar array.
Is The Cost Of Solar Panels Falling?
Since the most significant disadvantage of installing solar panels is the initial costs, it’s important to note that the cost of solar has dropped rapidly in recent years, thanks to the creation of more efficient technology. In the last decade, energy costs have fallen by more than 70%. That means that you don’t have to spend nearly as much as you used to on your solar PV.
What’s more, most people find that they can save a lot of cash on maintenance too. Because the design of solar panels has been improved to reduce things like moving parts, there are fewer components that can break down. It’s doubtful that you’ll have to do much work to keep your solar panels in good shape. Clearing away leaves and debris now and again might be all you need to do. Combine the drops in price and the reduction in maintenance with the fact that there are multiple government breaks and credits that can help you to save cash on a solar PV system, and it’s difficult to argue that “expense” is a reason not to invest in solar panels anymore.
Remember, even when you decide to sell your home, solar panels will help to increase the return on your investment. According to Zillow research, homes with their own access to a renewable energy source sold for up to 4.1% more on average than similar houses without the same solar power.
It’s not just that the reduction in the cost of solar panels makes them worthwhile today, either. Remember that installing a solar panel system on your home also means that you can lock in a specific price for your energy that’s often much lower than anything you can get from the grid. With the introduction of net metering and feed-in tariff strategies, you can even sell your left-over electricity back to the electric grid when you don’t consume it all.
In California, one of the sunnier states in the USA, studies suggest that the average resident with a solar power system can save up to $73,714 over the lifetime of the panels on energy alone.
Should You Invest In The Benefits Of Solar?
Ever since solar panels were first introduced as a solution for homeowners to invest in, we’ve heard about the benefits of this technology for the maintenance of the planet. Solar energy is the cleanest and most reliable way to create the electricity you need to run everything from your lights to your electric car. However, there’s so much more to solar panels than most people realize.
This technology isn’t just an expensive way to give something back to the environment. Solar arrays are becoming an increasingly affordable solution for homeowners from all backgrounds to protect the earth and their wallets for years to come.
By investing in solar technology, you’re not just making the world a better place for future generations; you’re also allowing yourself to save a lot of money on things like electricity to run your home. You can even feed energy back into the grid and take advantage of payments from some of the biggest energy companies in the world.
If you haven’t had the chance to test out the benefits of solar panels for yourself yet, then now could be the perfect time to take the plunge. Switching to solar energy technology has never been easier.
