Solar Power – What’s in It for Me?

Solar energy has several benefits over conventional energy. Although it will cost to retrieve energy from the sun, the energy itself is free. Solar energy is unlimited. The Earth’s atmosphere will not be damaged by its emission gases. Many homeowners opt to use solar energy because of the positive impact they will have on the environment.

Solar energy, unlike fossil fuels, doesn’t produce the harmful pollutants to blame for increasing the greenhouse effect which leads to global warming. Solar energy is a clean and sustainable source of energy that you can use for solar electricity, solar heating, solar cooling, and solar lighting.

The financial aspect is also a key factor for homeowners.

The financial benefits of solar energy can be seen in decreased utility payments as you use solar energy for electricity, heating, cooling, and lighting. Besides, by reducing your homes operating costs you are also increasing the value of your home.

By using solar solutions, you will reduce your dependence on the utility companies. You will no longer need to have electricity delivered to your home as you will be able to produce your own solar power electricity. So you will be free from fuel rate increases.

Solar energy also gives you a level of reliability and protection that other energy sources can’t match. As you bring about your own electricity and heat, you will not be affected by power cuts.

A solar water-heating (also known as solar thermal) system uses panels fitted to your roof to warm up water for use around the home.

Maintenance costs are very low – most solar water heating systems come with a 5-10 year guarantee and require little maintenance. There are no extra costs once you’ve had the equipment installed, except, in most cases, a little amount of electricity needed to run the pump as it uses the sun’s heat. Under the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, from October 2012, householders with solar water heating systems will qualify for financial backing.

In England, planning permission for most solar water installations is no longer needed – and governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are currently discussing introducing similar initiatives.

Your roof must be strong enough to take the heavy solar panels, especially if the panel is to be installed on top of existing tiles.

We’ve used the Sun for drying clothes and food for thousands of years, but only recently have we been able to use it for generating power.

All our power needs can be met many times over by a tiny fraction of the sun’s energy that hits the Earth. If we could properly harness the suns energy enough arrives at the earth every minute to meet our needs for a entire year.

Many grants are available to help you install solar power in your home. So – What reason do I have to not install a solar solution? – is the question you should be asking.