While it has been widely criticized for being expensive or inefficient, solar energy has now proved extremely beneficial for the environment and the private economy. So, what are some advantages of solar energy?
Solar power is sustainable, renewable, and plentiful. Moreover, it offers considerable benefits over conventional energy systems by nullifying flaws in those systems considered unchangeable. Unfortunately, there are solar energy disadvantages, too, but they’re dwarfed by the advantages discussed below
Advantages of Solar Energy
Here are the benefits of solar energy for commercial and residential use;
1. Environmentally Friendly
Solar energy, unlike fossil fuels, has low greenhouse gas emissions to the environment. Solar panels produce no pollution. However, their manufacture and construction impose environmental costs, which are negligible compared to the effects of conventional energy sources. Solar energy, too, doesn’t produce greenhouse gases that pollute air and water.
Image Credit: adssolar.com.au
Another advantage this energy type has on the environment is that it doesn’t create any noise because they don’t have any moving parts. This is important since they are used for residential purposes as well.
2. Saves Money
Since you will be meeting most of your energy needs with the electricity your solar system has produced, your electricity bills will reduce. However, the amount of money you save on the bills entirely depends on the solar system size and your electricity usage.
3.Renewable Energy Source
Image Credit: businesspulse.com
Among the benefits of solar panels, the most important thing is that solar energy is a renewable energy source. It can be harnessed worldwide at any time. As long as there is sun, solar energy will be accessible. So, unlike other energy sources, you cannot run out of solar energy to supply your electricity needs.
4. Low Maintenance Costs
Solar energy systems generally require low maintenance costs, and minimum effort is needed for the maintenance. You only need to keep them clean, so cleaning them 2 to 3 times a year will do the job. If in doubt, you can rely on specialized cleaning companies offering cleaning services at affordable prices. Most reliable solar panel manufacturers offer up to 25 years of warranty.
Image Credit: fixr.com
Also, there are no moving parts. Hence there is no wear and tear. But, it would be best if you changed the inverter after 5 to 10 years because it continuously works to convert solar energy into electricity. Also, the cables need maintenance to ensure the solar power system runs efficiently.
So, after paying the initial cost of the solar system, you can expect verylittle expenses for maintenance and repair work.
5. Diverse Applications
Solar power can be used for various purposes. Solar panels can generate electricity (photovoltaics) or heat (solar thermal). Solar energy can be used to distill water in regions with limited clean water supplies, produce electricity in areas without grid access, and power satellites in space.
Solar energy can also be incorporated into building materials like transparent solar energy windows.
6. Increases the Value of Your Home
Installing solar panel systems in your home benefits the people who will use your house. Many people choose to use solar systems but cannot install them properly. So, when you offer a house with a solar system, the amount of money you receive increases.
7. Creates Jobs
Image Credit: greenesa.com
Job creation in solar energy production has greatly impacted society economically. An increase in the demand for solar panel systems has become a source of employment in areas related to manufacturing, sales, installation, research, and maintenance.
8. Suitable for Remote Areas
Solar energy is suitable for remote areas not connected to energy grids. It can significantly improve the quality of life for people living in places such as Sub-Saharan Africa, where 90% of the rural population doesn’t have access to electricity. People in such areas rely on expensive fuel-based lighting and jeopardize their health through environmental contamination.
9. Reliability
Image Credit: edfernergy.com
Solar energy is reliable. Many business owners and homeowners favor solar power because it is effectively immune to the likely failings of utility companies in the form of political or economic turmoil, terrorism, natural disasters, or brownouts due to overuse.
10. Solar Power Conserves Foreign Energy Expenditures
In many countries, a large percentage of income is used to pay for imported oil used in power generation. For instance, the United States spends an average of $13 million per hour on oil, mostly from Persian Gulf nations. As oil supplies decline and prices rise, these problems catalyze the expansion of solar power and other alternative-energy systems.
11. Solar Power Encourages Government Tax Credits
Image Credit: legalzoom.com
In regions like the U.S., federal subsidies credit up to 30% of solar panel system costs. And each state offers its own renewable-energy incentives for homeowners and business owners.
12. Gaining Money
Solar power takes advantage of net metering, the act of crediting homeowners for the electricity they produce and return to the power grid. When your panel system is connected to the grid, your supplier may pay you for the surplus energy exported back to the grid. Of course, this happens if you have such an agreement with your supplier.
13. Solar Energy Storage
Image Credit: dovetailsolar.com
Using solar batteries, you can store the excess power produced by your solar panel system to use at night and when there’s not enough sunlight for your panels to keep producing electricity.
14. Can be Installed Everywhere
You can install your solar system at any place where there’s sufficient sunshine exposure. Solar panel systems can be used in places with or without electricity to provide the necessary power.
15. Improve Grid Security
When many solar panel systems are installed across an area, the chances of blackouts are reduced. Solar systems work as energy production substitutes for the grid, improving grid security in case of overload or other cases that cause blackouts.
16. Encourages Grid-Free Living
Image Credit: solar-electric.com
If you have a strong solar system to generate enough power for all your energy needs without hiccups, you can easily live grid free!
17. Saves Water
Using solar energy helps save water. For example, solar panel maintenance requires little water, while nuclear power plants need much water for maintenance leading to water wastage. Plus, solar panels do not use water for power generation.
18. Gives You Control Over Your Electricity
Home solar panels and batteries offer freedom from utility companies with predictable energy bills. This helps you avoid peak electricity rates and provides reliable backup power when the grid goes down.
Image Credit: tianyuansolar.com
With a rechargeable home solar and battery system, you can avoid the most expensive rates under the Time Of Use (TOU) rate structure while optimizing energy savings. In addition, a solar-powered home battery replenishes solar power and removes the inconvenience and uncertainty, giving you freedom from the next blackout.
Uses of Solar Energy
Image Credit: vernalenergy.net
Solar power is an excellent source of energy in many homes worldwide. Solar panels have gained popularity in recent years with the many benefits offered. Solar energy is used in different ways in many homes. Here are some common uses of solar power in your homes
1. Heating water
2. Heating home
3. Solar ventilation fans
4. Provides electricity
5. Lighting home
6. Portable solar power
7. Heating swimming pool
8. Solar-powered pumps
9. Charging batteries
10. Cooking
11. Home beautification
12. Solar dryer.
Bottom Line
More solar power is hitting the earth daily than the existing population can use. As the cost of solar energy production reduces, many people are switching to solar.
Solar efficiencies are evolving, with over a million solar installations across the country, and new technologies are being experimented with. So let’s keep working to exploit this great power and put it to use to continue benefiting from the numerous advantages above.
Featured Image Source: reenergizeco.com
