Solar energy is quite the buzz word in some circles. Most people don't know all that it covers. And if you're not looking into it, you may not know that there are some lenders who appreciate your efforts by offering you a better assessment on your home's resale value. Fossil fuels are being depleted at an alarming rate. Solar energy is the alternative to compliment your green living effects.

Converting your home to solar energy is a financially sound move. And, if it's cost effective for you, who wouldn't want to be independent of dirty fossil fuel consumption? When there's a power outage, where would you like your power supply to be generated from? And with the depletion of fossil fuels and the economic manipulation that is involved in the entire business, it's really great to be able to rise above the fray.

Having a solar home is one of the best green living things that you can do for your family and your larger environment. Using fossil fuels has always polluted the air, it's nothing new. Today, there's a clean, money saving alternative that is renewable and that can't be depleted. This "new" alternative is the sun. There's no "processing" the sun to begin with. It just shines and you work with that. No piping or emissions along the way to supplying your family with power


1. Saves you money

  • After the initial investment has been recovered, the energy from the sun is practically FREE.
  • The recovery/ payback period for this investment can be very short depending on how much electricity your household uses.
  • Financial incentives are available form the government that will reduce your cost.
  • If your system produce more energy than you use, your utility company can buy it from you, building up a credit on your account! This is called net metering.
  • It will save you money on your electricity bill if you have one at all.
  • Solar energy does not require any fuel.
  • It's not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and is therefore not subjected to the ever-increasing price of gasoline.
  • The savings are immediate and for many years to come.
  • The use of solar energy indirectly reduces health costs.

2. Environmentally friendly

  • Solar Energy is clean, renewable (unlike gas, oil and coal) and sustainable, helping to protect our environment.
  • It does not pollute our air by releasing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide or mercury into the atmosphere like many traditional forms of electrical generations does.
  • Therefore Solar Energy does not contribute to global warming, acid rain or smog.
  • It actively contributes to the decrease of harmful green house gas emissions.
  • It's generated where it is needed.
  • By not using any fuel, Solar Energy does not contribute to the cost and problems of the recovery and transportation of fuel or the storage of radioactive waste.

3. Independent/ semi-independent

  • Solar Energy can be utilized to offset utility-supplied energy consumption. It does not only reduce your electricity bill, but will also continue to supply your home/ business with electricity in the event of a power outage.
  • A Solar Energy system can operate entirely independent, not requiring a connection to a power or gas grid at all. Systems can therefore be installed in remote locations (like holiday log cabins), making it more practical and cost-effective than the supply of utility electricity to a new site.
  • The use of Solar Energy reduces our dependence on foreign and/or centralized sources of energy, influenced by natural disasters or international events and so contributes to a sustainable future.
  • Solar Energy supports local job and wealth creation, fuelling local economies.

4. Low/ no maintenance

  • Solar Energy systems are virtually maintenance free and will last for decades.
  • Once installed, there are no recurring costs.
  • They operate silently, have no moving parts, do not release offensive smells and do not require you to add any fuel.
  • More solar panels can easily be added in the future when your family's needs grow.



 

5.Greatly reduced pollution

Why not pollution-free? Because it isn’t always. While having much better credentials than fossil fuel for polluting emissions, the environmental costs of manufacturing and constructing solar energy appliances must not be forgotten.

Also, consider the wider impacts of burning biomass and of large hydropower schemes. So, advantages of solar energy are still shadowed by some disadvantages. That’s just the necessary paradox of life.

6. Greatly reduced contribution to global warming

One of the greatest advantages of solar energy of course is that there are no carbon dioxide, methane or other emissions that warm the atmosphere. Again, manufacturing and installation of solar appliances are necessarily accompanied by some of those emissions.

7. Infinite energy resource

Solar energy is not a finite resource as fossil fuels are. While the sun is up there it constantly produces all the energy we can use.

8. Reduced maintenance costs

While not maintenance-free -- what technology really is? -- once solar panels, wind- or water power facilities are in place, no fuel or lubricants need to be supplied.

9. Falling production costs

The financial costs of producing appliances such as solar cells and solar hot water panels are falling as technology develops. Comparatively solar energy is competing with fossil fuels as fossil fuel prices have risen steeply globally in the last few years. Solar energy technology is becoming increasingly efficient.

10. Low running costs

With prices of traditional fuels soaring the cost advantages of solar energy are becoming obvious. After installation of the appliance, solar energy is free.

11. Local application

Suitable for remote areas that are not connected to energy grids. In some countries solar panels for domestic use in remote areas are becoming sources for local employment in manufacture and installation.

Fossil-fuel poor countries can kick their dependency on this energy and spend their funds on other things through application of solar energy.

12. Health and safety benefits

In some poorer countries where people have used kerosene and candles for domestic heating and lighting, respiratory diseases and impaired eyesight have resulted. Many people have been burned through accidents involving kerosene heating. Solar energy, especially with excess energy stored for night-time use, overcomes these problems



13.Solar energy grants

In some countries you will receive grants of money, rebates and tax reductions through implementing solar energy solutions in your home or business. It is also possible to "sell back" power into the grid and pay less for your electricity bill.

Remember my suggestion that the advantages of solar energy do not make a White Knight? I have already covered some of that with you but there are some further dis-advantages of solar energy.


Conclusion

There are many benefits of using solar energy especially nowadays with cheaper prices on systems and better technology. Solar power is a renewable energy source and as long as we have the sun it will never run out, it is a clean energy, produces no pollution whatsoever and is completely natural.

Many people are turning to solar power for residential and business purposes, the initial investment cost can be pricey for some, but there is almost a guarantee that it will be made back and most people will actually generate extra revenue by selling excess power back to the grid.

Since fossil fuels are slowly running out people are looking at future energy sources that will not run out, solar power is probably the top contender as it is one the easiest to implement and the most cost effective. I.e for what it costs to install it will yield the most energy.

The other great things about solar energy are that:
Its silent, it doesn't generate any noise. Once its installed it can be left alone and it is rare for any maintenance to be required. The sun will always be there to provide energy for solar panels, even on cloudy days the panels will receive exposure and will produce energy.

As you can see solar energy is the choice for the future and with fossil fuels running it now is the time for people to start using solar energy more and to stop relying upon energy sources that will soon be extinct.