Nowadays, people are looking for ways to reduce their impact on the environment, mainly due to severe climate changes. From lowering greenhouse gas emissions to protecting the wildlife, there are several ways to slow down climate change. However, switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy is the most accessible of the bunch. In fact, that’s why the number of solar panel installations seems to go up almost every year. But what are the benefits of going solar, and more importantly, should you consider doing so?
The Basics of Solar Energy
Generating solar energy is the process of harvesting solar rays and transforming them into electrical or thermal energy. All that is done using solar panels, which are made out of photovoltaic cells that capture sunlight. It’s worth mentioning that some solar panels also convert moonlight into electricity, but at a lower efficiency level.
The widespread popularity of solar is due to the fact that solar energy is renewable and unlimited. That makes it the perfect energy source to replace fossil fuels and to become the main provider of electricity in the country.
What are the Benefits of Going Solar?
Going solar is not only good for the environment, but it also provides homeowners with a variety of benefits. Starting with the return on investment to property value, there are a lot of reasons to consider going solar.
Reliability and Lifespan
Generally speaking, solar panels are very reliable and rarely experience failures. Besides that, they can last anywhere between 20 and 30 years. And if you regularly inspect and clean them, you can increase their lifespan by an additional 5 to 10 years.
Environmental Impact
Although the process of manufacturing solar panels emits greenhouse gases, solar energy remains one of the cleanest renewable sources. In fact, the CO2 resulting from manufacturing is insignificant compared to what every fossil fuel energy source produces. Not only that, but most solar panels are recyclable, meaning that there is little to no waste once they can’t function anymore.
Return on Investment
While it’s true that going solar is expensive, usually costing up to $25,000, it can save you money in the long run. That’s because solar energy will reduce your electricity bills substantially, allowing you to save money. Additionally, government subsidies such as the Federal Solar Tax Credit or Net Metering can reduce the cost of installing and maintaining solar panels.
Property Value
Installing solar panels will increase the value of your home, which is especially important if you plan to sell your house later. And with the increasing demand for solar energy, some people might not even want to buy a property without solar capabilities. Therefore, you can consider going solar as an investment that can end up paying in a few years.
Energy Independence
By switching to solar energy, you are no longer dependent on the national electrical grid. While you could connect to the grid in order to enjoy the benefits of Net Metering, you can always rely on your own solar system. That’s a big advantage that prevents you from losing electricity in case of a major grid blackout.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, it’s easy to see the answer to what are the benefits of going solar. Not only does it allow you to protect the environment, but it also increases the value of your property. And if that wasn’t enough, going solar also reduces the costs of your electricity bills, allowing you to save money. All in all, you should definitely consider giving solar energy a try, especially since the entry prices are constantly lowering. And with a bit of luck, someday solar energy will become the norm, replacing all fossil fuels.
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