Are Solar Panels an Eco-Friendly Energy Solution
The jump in energy costs has made more homeowners open to the idea of investing in solar panels as an alternative source of energy supply for their homes. Suppose you fall into this category of forward-thinking homeowners contemplating whether to make switching to solar panels as a source of energy for your home. It is likely that you have questions as regards how eco-friendly it is. Well, solar panels use a sustainable source of renewable energy—sunlight. This ultimately helps minimize human dependence on fossil fuels and subsequently curtails the carbon footprint. So, yes! They are environmentally friendly.
Thankfully with companies like EcoGen America, you can make an easy switch to reliable, clean energy and save about 50% on energy with solar. You can learn more about EcoGen America here. Meanwhile, let’s look at some of the benefits of solar energy.
Benefits of Solar Energy For Your Home And The Environment
It is Eco-Friendly
Solar energy is an invaluable asset for people looking to have minimal impact on the environment. Incorporating solar energy on a large scale helps reduce the negative environmental effect that is inevitable with burning fossil fuels. One could even say that with every unit of electricity generated through solar energy is one unit less of high carbon electricity generated through fossil fuels.
Typical power plants generate power by burning fossil fuels, which release toxic greenhouse gasses into the environment. These toxic gasses damage the ecosystem, and in high concentration, they pose a risk to humans and can hasten global warming. However, with solar energy, there are no greenhouse gasses which means a much greener environment.
It Reduces Your Carbon Footprint
Generally, renewable sources of energy have a minimal carbon footprint when compared to other energy sources. Solar panels produce an estimated carbon footprint of about 4.5 – 48 grams of carbon dioxide per KiloWatt-Hour of electricity produced, whereas natural gas and coal produce 0.6 – 2 pounds and 1.4 – 3.6 pounds of Carbon dioxide, respectively, to generate the same KiloWatt-Hour of energy. Going by these estimates, by using an average solar panel system, an individual can save up to a ton of carbon output in a year.
It Reduces Electricity Costs
Solar panels can generate electricity that can be used to power any device or household appliance. This includes heating and cooling your home and even charging your electric cars. The good thing here is that solar panels allow you to do all these with less electricity, saving you electricity costs.
It Offers flexibility
Solar panels allow you to harvest and store energy for future use. This is possible through the use of solar batteries that are attached to the solar system. These solar batteries store the excess electricity that is generated by the solar system, allowing you to make more energy savings. Also, with solar panels, you’ll gain more control over when, where, and how the energy is used.
It Conserves Resources
Although solar panels rely solely on solar radiation for their replenishment, there still exists the potential to be improved over time as solar companies invest in better solar technology. In other words, newer solar panels may be able to get their replenishment from both solar radiation and other sources. That is, of course, in addition to the increasing efficiency of the solar cells. This will further make solar panels a more sustainable energy alternative. With more solar panel manufacturers working on producing more long-lasting panels, solar panels don’t wear out quickly as they produce energy. This will, in turn, lead to less wastage.
They are Low Maintenance
Once installed, solar panel require minimal maintenance to keep them running smoothly. For a fact, they only need a steady supply of solar radiation to be sustained. You can expect your solar panels to last up to 30 years more, although you may need to replace your solar panel inverters after 10-15 years of use. So, considering solar panels don’t require much maintenance during their lifespan, they are a solid alternative to power plants that require fossil fuels to produce electricity.
Judging from the benefits of solar energy, it’s safe to say that switching to solar panels is an effective way of generating electricity while still protecting your environment and yourself. By investing in this clean and renewable source of energy, you can take advantage of modern energy sources, reduce your carbon footprint, and, most importantly, preserve the planet for years. Are you considering an eco-friendly energy option? Invest in solar energy today!
