Global warming is one of the greatest threats currently affecting the planet. Seeing how the issue keeps getting worse, taking immediate action is a must to help ensure the future. One of the easiest ways to do this is to go solar.
Many environmentalists claim that solar panels are one of the cleanest energy sources. Not only that, but they’re actually cheaper than traditional electricity, despite the initial splurge. But is this really the case? Are solar panels worth the investment? Keep reading to find out everything about solar panels and how to get them.
What is Solar Energy?
Before examining if solar panels are worth the investment, we must first cover the basics—what is solar energy? In simple terms, solar energy is the energy harvested from the Sun. Solar-powered machinery generates energy by harnessing natural light.
You can then use this energy to power your home, generate heat in the winter, and so on. It seems simple. But is this energy source as green as the media claims? The answer is—absolutely. Generating electricity traditionally requires fossil fuels, nuclear fission, or geothermal energy. The entire process depends on complex machinery to run, as well as tons of non-renewable resources.
Not only that, but it generates enormous amounts of waste that get dumped into rivers, the air, and the ocean. All of this results in pollution, contributing to global warming and habitat destruction for endangered wildlife.
Solar power, on the other hand, doesn’t generate any harmful waste. All it requires is solar architecture you can install in your home or backyard. What’s more, it’s a completely renewable energy source that everyone has access to. Solar panels will work even during wintertime, since the Sun doesn’t disappear when it’s overcast outside.
Truth be told, the panels will work at a reduced capacity in bad weather. However, you can easily resolve this issue by placing the panels in direct sunlight. All in all, with some good positioning, you can enjoy the same amount of energy but without the environmental repercussions.
Advantages of Solar Panels
If explaining solar energy wasn’t enough to convince you that it is worth the investment, stick around. The following advantages of solar panels will have you calling your nearest provider for an assessment right away.
While it would take hundreds of pages to list all the benefits of solar panels, here are some of the biggest ones:
1. Money-Savers
At first glance, solar panels are much more expensive than traditional electricity. However, in the long run, solar panels are much cheaper. That is because they help you save money on energy bills.
Every year, the average American family spends $1,450 on electricity alone. This number is likely to increase as the cost of electricity goes up by 2.2% each year. In contrast, when you’re using solar panels to generate your own energy, you’re locking the cost of electricity at a constant rate.
So while solar panels require you to make an upfront investment, you’ll end up saving money in the long run. That is especially true when you consider that, after a few years, the solar panels will pay themselves off, and you’ll just be getting clean, free electricity.
2. Tax Exemptions
Since the government is invested in protecting the environment, having solar panels in your home is a huge advantage for you in one major way—you will get tax exemptions. Certain states, like California, Arizona, Colorado, and many others, offer property tax exemptions for homes that use solar panels.
3. Increased Value of Your Property
Another big advantage of the recent green fad is that everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon. As such, anything environmentally friendly is instantly more appealing to potential customers. That includes properties.
Recent research shows that solar-powered homes sell for 4.1% more than homes without any panels. In certain states, like New York, that value is even higher, going up to 5.4%. That’s a whopping $23,989 extra in value for the typical home in New York.
Final Thoughts
In summary, are solar panels worth the investment? Absolutely. Not only do they help you protect the environment, but they also offer your home plenty of benefits. You get to save enormous amounts of money on energy bills, as well as a tax exemption for your solar-powered properties.
Even better, they help up the value of your home should you decide to sell it. So, if you want to go green, contact Atlantic Key Energy, and get your estimate today!
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