Top benefits of solar energy

The world has almost depleted the fossil fuels in the earth. Burning these fuels has caused humanity much suffering, premature deaths, diseases, and financial hardships. It would seem like a blessing that we only have another fifty years of fossil fuels, but burning what is remaining could have enormous repercussions for humanity. The urgency to install as many solar power systems as possible has never been greater. Solar power is the wave of the future. It’s also the wave of the present. The sun has been shining for over four and a half billion years. Humans have been using the power of the sun since prehistoric times but we now understand how to harness solar power much more efficiently. It may also be true that humanity depends upon how efficiently we learn to provide power for all our activities.

Solar power fundamentals

Solar power collects the natural energy of the sun to produce electricity. Specifically, solar cells capture certain wavelengths of solar radiation and convert them to electricity for our homes, businesses and many other applications. Many solar panels gathered together comprise a solar farm.

Photovoltaic cells are made from different types of silicon.

Sunlight takes about eight minutes to reach earth and a few seconds longer to make contact with your solar panels. In the United States, solar panels normally face south to gather optimal sunlight. Solar power is measured like all electricity- in watts (kilowatts, megawatts, gigawatts, and terawatts). One thousand watts equal one kilowatt, 1,000 kilowatts equal one megawatt, 1,000 megawatts equal one gigawatt, and 1,000 gigawatts equal one terawatt. Most solar panels have 200- or 250-watt capacities. The majority of solar panels can produce eight to ten kilowatts of energy per square foot.

Solar is cheaper, safer, and quiet too. Nothing can compare...

You can use solar power to run air conditioners, water heaters, and anything natural gas, electricity, or oil currently fuels. It’s the cheaper, safer, and most eco-friendly method of power. When the sun isn’t shining, you can use a battery as a backup for your solar energy system. However, most modern solar units use net metering (a system hooked up to your city’s power grid that measures the difference between the energy you provide to the grid and the energy you consume from the grid). For controlling energy deficits, net metering is a better method than storing excess solar power in batteries. Solar panels don’t need direct sunlight to produce electricity, but direct sunlight generates the most usable energy.

Health benefits of solar energy

Solar power is the cleanest, most sustainable, and most renewable energy source we know of in the world. Aside from a little pollution given off during panel manufacturing, solar power contributes no emissions. The health effects of breathing polluted air are many and scientists aren't even yet fully aware of all of them. Pollution affects as many people as HIV or malaria and has the most damaging effects on children, older adults, and all living plants and animals. Another less publicized advantage of solar power is that it does not create any noise pollution; solar panels silently create energy from the sun’s rays.

There has never been a better time to install a solar energy system!

These days, installing a solar power system is a "no brainer."  With the prices of solar panels continuing to fall, investing in solar has become a tremendously wise investment. Solar power is here to stay, and the sooner you explore how much you can save, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits of residential solar power. Please visit our solar blog to find out more about the benefits of going solar.

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