Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy is a clean, renewable source of electricity that can reduce utility bills and help you save money in the long run.
Solar energy is produced through a nuclear fusion reaction in the sun that creates hydrogen atoms, generating electricity. This process is constantly happening throughout the day and night.
Reduce Your Electric Bill
Solar energy is a clean and sustainable energy source that is simple to install and may cut your power cost by up to 50%. The amount of savings you receive depends on several factors, including your local utility rates, the size of your system, and what time of day you use energy.
Among the benefits of solar energy is reducing your electric bill by using your solar panel’s excess energy to power your home when there isn’t enough sunlight available. Alternatively, you can install a solar battery to store extra energy generated during the day and use it during cloudy weather or at night.
Another way to reduce your electric bill is by sending excess energy from your solar panels back into the grid through a net metering program.
If you want to lessen your electric bill further, consider installing a time-of-use plan to align your energy usage around the peak and off-peak hours. The time-of-use rates for these plans can be lower than the utility rates you’re currently paying, and they allow you to shift your energy use to align with the times when you’re generating solar energy.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Solar energy is an environmentally friendly source of electricity that does not emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Therefore, using it to generate electricity can minimize carbon emissions and help slow global climate change.
The first stage in producing solar energy is converting sunlight into electrical power through photovoltaic (PV) panels or solar radiation-concentrating mirrors. PV cells have become increasingly efficient over the years, meaning they cost less to produce and are a more economical energy source than ever before.
Once the solar power is generated, it is sent to a grid for consumer distribution. Very few emissions or waste products are associated with operating PV and concentrating solar energy, so it is one of the lowest-emissions forms of renewable energy.
Solar energy is also the cleanest form of electricity and produces far less carbon dioxide than coal-based sources. As a result, solar is an ideal way to minimize your environmental impact if you have a home or business that uses a lot of electricity.
Save Money in the Long Run
Installing a solar energy system can save money on your electricity bills. The amount you save depends on the size of your solar system and your home’s energy consumption.
Many utilities and states boost your return on investment by allowing you to feed excess solar power back into the grid. It is called net metering and can lower your monthly electric bill by as much as 30%, depending on the credit you receive from your utility.
The solar panels on your roof can produce a wide range of kilowatt-hours (kWh), depending on how much sunlight you get and where you live. The amount of sun in your area, your roof’s orientation toward the sun, and its shade factor all impact the output of your solar system.
Once you know how much solar power you can generate, you can calculate your payback period based on the years it will take to offset your initial investment. Of course, it will depend on your home’s energy use and solar system size, but it should be relatively easy to calculate.
Reduce Your Risk of Blackouts
One of the biggest concerns for solar system owners is whether or not their solar panels will work during a blackout. For this reason, most residential solar systems are grid-tied, meaning they’re tied to the standard power grid.
When the grid goes down, most solar inverters shut off your home’s solar system and prevent any extra energy from being sent to the power lines. It is a safety feature that protects both power line workers and homeowners.
Another way to reduce your risk of a blackout is by having a battery or other storage solution. These batteries store energy from your solar panels and can provide backup power if the grid goes out.
Intelligent technologies that combine solar generation and storage can strengthen our energy system’s resilience, ensuring that electricity remains available even when needed.
Increase Your Home Value
Solar energy can add significant value to a home, especially in areas with high electricity costs. In addition, a solar system can help a homeowner save money on utility bills in the long run, making it an attractive selling point when it’s time to sell their home.
In addition, solar installations typically come with a more extended warranty than other systems. It can also be a selling point to home buyers, as it gives them peace of mind that they won’t have to worry about paying for costly repairs or replacements down the road.
