Global warming has become a hot topic and is often the driving force behind the need to find alternative sources of energy. Even people who are not overly concerned about environmental issues look to alternative energy as a way to fuel their homes more efficiently. Solar energy has become one of the popular ways to accomplish that goal.
Solar panels that produce this form of energy can be found on professional establishments and in residential areas with increasing frequency. Homeowners who are interested in solar energy should educate themselves to fully understand their usefulness.
Solar Energy Basics
Solar panels are one of the most common ways to harness the power of the sun and create energy. They do this by using technology known as photovoltaic (PV) cells or solar cells, which directly convert sunlight into solar energy.
When an assembly of these cells is connected, they form modules or panels. Originally, solar panels were extremely expensive, placing them outside of the financial reach of most homeowners. Over the years, however, the cost of solar panels has decreased significantly, making solar energy more affordable.
Solar Energy Benefits
There are many benefits of solar panels and the solar energy they produce.
Often, these benefits are the first thing that attract most homeowners. Although the actual installation of solar panels comes at a cost, the power produced is free. While there may still be some continued cost for traditional electricity, solar panels reduce the amount of electricity the household uses.
This reduces the dependency on the power grid and helps homeowners to significantly reduce their energy bill. Because solar panels typically do not rely on the power grid, people who have them installed are not affected as much during brownouts or power failures.
People who live in areas with limited access to traditional power sources benefit greatly from the installation of solar panels, as solar energy provides them with the power they would normally not be able to obtain.
In addition, when selling a home after the installation of solar panels, homeowners can often expect an increase in the value of their home by a minimum of 20%.
Environmental Benefits of Solar Energy
The environmental benefits associated with solar panels also play a large role in the growing interest in and use of solar energy. Clean air and the preservation of natural resources are at the top of that list.
The solar energy created from the use of these panels comes from a renewable energy source (the sun). This means that beyond the resources used to create the panels, when people use solar power, it does not come at the cost of nonrenewable resources—or the burning of fossil fuels.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, greenhouse gas emissions are a major contributor to global warming. The EPA also notes the production of electricity is one of the largest sources of these emissions, creating roughly 33% of the total emissions in 2011, according to their most recent report on the subject.
The production of solar power using installed solar panels, however, does not produce any greenhouse gases and reduces the carbon footprint. It does not release any gas, smoke or other chemical to pollute the atmosphere and does not contribute to acid rain or smog.
It further reduces the release of greenhouse gases by eliminating the need for trucks to move and deliver coal, oil or gasoline.
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