Solar power and the environment

Some of the news these days is related to weather and many of the developments we are witnessing are caused by climate change. The need for replacing fossil fuels is becoming ever more intense and the search is on for the most productive alternative energy sources that don't harm our planet. Solar energy is taking the world by storm. There are many reasons for adding solar to your home or business. Anytime you can produce your own energy, that’s power that you don’t have to buy from your local power grid. As electricity costs continue to rise, especially with longer and hotter summers predicted while our climate continues to warm, making the transition to solar is the greatest way to lock in decades of expected energy costs. But for many, the environmental impact of adding solar is just as compelling. Moreover, since some utilities make most of their electricity from dirtier sources such as coal, nuclear and natural gas, installing solar is an effective way to add to a cleaner and more sustainable future, while also putting money back in your bank account.

Financial benefits of solar are helpful now but will continue for decades

Financial assets are a serendipitous consequence of green energy, particularly solar. It’s also relevant to consider the following four eco-friendly advantages. Going solar will reduce greenhouse gas and CO2 emissions: For example, the average home spends just under 13,000-kilowatt hours of electricity annually. Even a modestly-sized solar energy system will clearly reduce that number by 80%, while many can even approach 100%. Clearly, the environmental impact of solar is large and the effect is multiplied many times over as increasing numbers of citizens install solar panels. Over a period of twenty years, producing just 80% of the common home’s annual energy requirements, a solar power system will offset the equivalent CO2 emissions from almost 150,000 pounds of coal burned, or the greenhouse gas emissions from 45 tons of landfill waste.

Solar helps reduce water pollution now and tomorrow

Nearly all manufacturing processes require some water, which includes those utilized to manufacture solar panels. The amount of water needed to generate solar electricity is much less than regular electricity sources. Older forms of energy such as nuclear, natural gas and coal-fired facilities, all require extensive volumes of water for cooling purposes. Solar energy poses little danger to local water resources, nor does their operation strain local supplies by competing with agriculture, drinking systems, and other important water demands.

Solar relieves pressure from fossil fuel addiction

Solar energy decreases anxiety concerning the availability of finite resources that will be depleted within 50 years, according to some projections. Census specialists expect global population will proceed to expand, but our earth only has a finite amount of oil, coal and natural gas remaining. The sun is by far the earth’s most plentiful energy source, producing an incredible 173,000 terawatts of solar energy every second. Experts say that’s more than 10,000 times the world's total combined energy use, and in perpetuity. By contrast, fossil fuels are dirty and non-renewable and add directly to climate change. Eventually, no matter what we do, they will no longer be available to us. Going solar contributes greatly to saving the planet and bestowing that concern can be contagious. In fact, solar is the only home improvement investment that will have an immediate, and calculable impact on the environment, while putting money back into your pocket from the moment it’s installed for your home or business.

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

If you want to move into the future and join the solar revolution, or if you want to find out what solar panels are right for you, or for more information relating to going solar, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles.

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