Generating Solar Power is Easy
More and more people are interested in solar power as an alternative energy source because they understand the importance of sustainable energy sources.
Solar energy is not a new invention. In fact, the first testament to solar energy was recorded in 600 B.C.E. when it was recorded that a Greek engineer named Archimedes used mirrors to focus sunlight on a ship, causing it to burst into flames.
However, it is a new technology in terms of widespread use. While solar energy is one of the easiest forms of renewable energy to generate, there are still some people who are skeptical of the benefits of solar energy. While many of these concerns are unfounded, the fact that these concerns are still present may keep people from adopting solar power as a new energy source.
This article will discuss ten reasons why solar power is important. Some reasons will simply clarify misconceptions people have and others will discuss technological advances that have made solar power even easier to generate.
Solar Power is Easy to Generate
The general concept of solar power generation is through a method called photovoltaic (PV) technology. PV technology is most often confused with solar heating, because both involve the use of solar cells. However, while solar heating uses solar cells to directly convert solar light into heat energy, PV technology uses solar cells to convert solar energy into electrical energy.
Solar Power is Clean and Safe
This is probably the biggest advantage the solar has over all the other forms of energy. The biggest problem with oil and gas is carbon emissions into the atmosphere which is causing environmental damage. Solar power produces no pollution at all so it a very clean, environmentally-friendly source of energy.
Solar panels are also very safe. They are built from non-toxic materials. In fact, less materials are used for building a solar panel than are used in construction of some cars. This makes them not only clean and safe but also durable and long lasting.
Some critics claim that solar panels can act as an eyesore and are a great source of pollution. However, as the prices of solar panels continue to go down, more and more people are switching to it.
Solar Power Will Cut Down on Your Bills
The cost of Solar Panels has dropped dramatically in recent years. Solar panels are also very durable. The average lifespan of a solar panel can last up to 25 years!
Most likely, you did not buy a house without electricity. You need electricity. Even if climate change did not exist, you would still need something to power your lights, fans, heating and cooling system, lights, etc.
Clean energy is something that we all should strive for. The more money you save on your bills, the more money you have to buy more solar panels or put towards a home improvement.
Low Maintenance
A photovoltaic system is not so different from a roof that has been replaced with solar panels. The tiles/panels can be cleaned with a hose. There is no need to climb a ladder to say, change a spent module.
For wind power, the only moving parts are the turbines. For solar thermal power, the moving parts are the sun. This means low maintenance except for stepping up on a ladder to check the power output and cleaning the modules with a soft brush. (It’s not that easy with solar PV because the modules must be plugged in to work.)
Cost of Maintenance
Regardless of which type of power plant you have, the cost of maintenance has to be kept at a bare minimum. The cost of fossil fuel is always increasing. The cost of maintenance is constant. You should not be spending more on maintaining your power plant than you are earning from it. Especially if a malfunction causes you to lose income for longer than you anticipated.
A PV system that has been in place for a decade will only require a minor replacement every ten years. But, if you remove the power equipment, you will need to spend on new equipment to support the old equipment. The old equipment, can be used elsewhere.
Can be Used for a Variety of Tasks
The term solar power gives people the impression that solar energy systems can only be used to produce electricity. This is a common misconception, as solar power is simply a form of energy. The energy that a solar power system produces can be used in a variety of ways. It is most commonly used to heat water, but can also be used to power lights, fans, pumps, and a variety of other devices.
The solar panels used to generate electricity can also be used to charge batteries. Other essential devices, like laptop computers and cell phones, can be charged using this method. You can use the energy generated from a solar power system to do almost anything that electricity can power.
Save Money
One of the main reasons people have solar panels installed is to save money. Using conventional energy can leave a financial strain. This is often the case if you use electricity from the power company. Even if you have a smaller solar power system, such as a solar power system for your car or a solar laptop charger, you can save money by using solar energy.
Clean Energy
Depending on where you live, solar energy is often the cleanest form of energy to use. While it is still dirty energy, solar power is cleaner than conventional energy sources because it does not produce air pollution.
Solar Power is Cheaper Nowadays
The price of solar cells has been dropping fast. Some sources predict that it will be down 50% or more over the next five or six years. Some people even argue that the solar cell price has already reached its peak, with the price continuing to drop.
On the other hand, the price of electricity generated by standard fossil fuel plants has been rising every year. Natural gas and petroleum have become more expensive, and the cost of coal has gone up, too.
You can be sure that the lifespan of solar cells won’t be cut short by energy politics and that the cost is trending downward.
Solar Energy Production Coincides with the Period of Highest Demand
Solar panels are able to provide the majority of their energy production during daytime periods when energy demand is high: namely, hot summer months in most regions throughout the world. The coincidence of renewable energy production with high demand is an advantage from both a technical and economic perspective. Technology advances make it possible for solar energy to provide greater amounts of power than previously, as explained later.
Use of renewable energy can help avoid price spikes for electricity (as well as decrease costs associated with fossil fuel dependence) during periods of peak demand or during unexpected times of high demand, like summer when people are running their air conditioning. This timing aligns with the production of solar energy, which is highest during hours of peak energy usage.
Solar panels and other types of renewable energy are an efficient way to provide base-level electricity requirements at a reasonable cost, even when market prices or availability are higher. Smart solar panel owners use batteries to store solar energy produced during peak production periods for use during peak demand periods. The availability of a renewable source of energy, which is produced at a time when energy prices are high, can eliminate the need for a reliance on fossil fuels that increase costs or cause price volatility.
No More Pollution
Most conventional (and other) energy production produce byproducts that can be harmful to the environment. However, solar panels produce no air pollution. Visual pollution is a problem that is often overlooked. People can get used to anything, so solar panels tend to blend in better than a new skyscraper or factory smokestack will.
No More Risks: Solar cells breakdown light rays into electrons, which in turn drive generators. This causes no risks to human health or the environment, unlike the polluted air and water associated with conventional energy production. Solar power generation has no threats to the production of ozone, CFC, and greenhouse gases, and the problems associated with waste.
No More Hazards: Generators, cables and even wind turbines can be a great danger to both humans and animals. You can avoid the risks of producing power yourself with solar panels.
Save on Electric Bills: If you want to save money on your electric bill, installing solar panels and using all the energy they produce is a great way to accomplish that. You can cut down on the amount of energy you buy from the electric company, or even get away from electricity completely with solar. You no longer have to worry about black-outs, brown-outs, or any other power failures.
Energy Security
Protecting the environment is a huge concern for many of us these days. The change to solar comes with many positive environmental benefits.
Less dependency on fossil fuels means less greenhouse gases contributing to global warming, air pollution and industrial mishaps.
Solar also means more localized power and grid resilience.
Solar power is a major source of clean energy that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and smog in our cities.
The solar industry is growing rapidly. Putting more people to work.
Solar panels last for years and even decades. The panels have a long product life, reducing disposal and replacement costs.
Solar panels and solar farms are diverse, meaning they are dispersed around the country, slowing the impact of disasters like hurricanes.
Solar power is an excellent investment opportunity. Low-cost money for paying for solar panels can be found in tax incentives, POSAs, and green bonds.
Resale of a home with solar panels comes with an attractive mark-up .
Land Occupation
According to the report of the Civil Society Institute, solar power systems require up to 25 times less land than fossil fuel based power plants.
This is good news for everyone who wants to preserve the natural environment. By providing your own solar power you have a way to contribute in a significant way.
By providing your own solar power you have a way to contribute in a significant way.
Food Production
Only a small fraction of all solar power systems are used for producing food. Most power is used for providing electricity and heat.
In tropical countries, a lot of energy is wasted for refrigerating, drying, canning, freezing and heating. The captured heat can be re-used to grow plants all year round.
In tropical countries, a lot of energy is wasted for refrigerating, drying, canning, freezing and heating. The captured heat can be re-used to grow plants all year round.
Water Purification
Solar water heating systems have been one of the most important discoveries of the 20th century. Water purification systems greatly improved as well.
Many countries in the world have been supplied with solar power as a source of drinking water. As you see there are different types of solar power systems that easily fit any need.
Climate Control
Solar powered heaters can be set up on open ground or on the roofs.
Solar Power Creates More Jobs
Surprised?
A study from the University of Texas, Arlington found that solar creates jobs two to three times faster than jobs created by the oil and gas industry.
Within the solar industry, installation jobs are most numerous, with the utility, sales, project development, and manufacturing jobs coming in a close second.
Fact: The solar energy industry employed twice as many workers than the coal industry in the US. While this may not be a perfect comparison, I don’t think you will find many people claiming that coal is greener than solar.
The Solar Foundation reported that more than 143,000 Americans worked in the solar industry in 2016. The exact number of solar jobs is hard to come by, but it is clear that solar is the fastest growing industry in the U.S. right now.
Solar instillation is also more labor intensive than gas or coal generation. Solar panels weigh hundreds of pounds and they must be secured to roofs and other structures.
Fossil fuel projects usually just require roads to transport workers and equipment. Installing solar panels is not only greener, it is likely to employ more Americans.
Final Verdict
Solar power is one of, if not the most, cost-effective method of producing electricity. It's also not associated with as many negative side effects as other forms of electricity such as coal and nuclear.
If you live in a sunny climate, solar power stands out. Solar panels have dropped in price significantly, and installation is cheaper than ever before. You can find information for each state, regarding rebates, incentives, and tax credits for solar power from the Database of State Incentives for Renewable & Energy Efficiency (DSIRE).
The solar power industry is now being taken seriously as a viable source of energy in the U.S. The solar industry now employs more than double the amount of workers as coal power plants. It even has several gigawatts of solar power installed globally.
Investing in solar power is a smart move when and where you can, and it's a nice feeling when you realize that you're also helping the planet. Start simple by making your home more energy-efficient, and then slowly move to installing photovoltaics on your roof or at least in your yard.