Just as we’re certain that the Sun will rise in the East and set in the West, we can also be certain the same star will give us free energy for years and years to come. So why not use this free energy? Well, in a way, all humans have used it since the dawn of time, it’s the light that gives us the ability to see around us, we used it to dry food, grow crops, etc.
In recent times, however, we’ve started making electricity as another form of usable energy and faced some problems concerning how long we’ll have the fuel for it. Coal, oil, and even trees come in limited numbers and create hazardous gasses when burned, much unlike the Sun. Not only does the bright yellow dot don’t pollute the atmosphere, but it is also practically limitless as to how much we can use it. And from there – many other advantages were discovered.
Green Is The Future
A hotter atmosphere, something to do with man-influenced climate change, is quickly forcing us to change the way our civilization is organized. We used to rely mostly on energy sources we could dig, or drill up, and created whole industries and cultures around it, but are now slowly turning towards the Sun as the main energy source.
There are many reasons to opt for a “green” alternative to oil and coil, and professionals believe that in the next few years around a third of all electricity will come from renewable sources.
Adaptability
Solar energy is mostly harvested via solar panels that transfer one form of energy into another – electricity. Solar panels are great as a way of utilizing land that is otherwise barren or unused, as they are very adaptable in terms of place of construction. Workshops that specialize in their mounting, like seen on www.artisanelectricinc.com, can install them virtually anywhere. Granted there is no shade there, of course.
On smaller lots they are usually put up on roofs to save space, optimally facing South (if you live in the North hemisphere), though they can also be mounted somewhere in a yard or out in a field.
Cheaper in The Long Run
Solar panels pay for themselves. This very simple fact has a very complex explanation and the rate of return on your investment will vary depending on where you live, though everyone sees a return in due time. As we see the price of electricity mostly going up throughout the world, and the price of solar panels going down – the choice is clear.
The Sun’s energy is free and, at least so far, not taxed in any way, so the economics of harvesting it is pretty straightforward. What you collect in terms of usable energy you deduct from the invested solar panels, and in a while (5-10 years depending on location) you have passively paid off the panels.
Favorable Legislation
Most developed countries have recognized the importance of solar energy as a strategic resource and have implemented various laws to boost its use. One of the more popular measures is allowing for an excess of solar-produced electricity to be sold to the national grid, thereby attracting more people to invest in such solutions.
In the USA, this system has certain limitations, as there are strict standards when it comes to how the renewable energy equipment is set up before it can be connected to the grid, though it is entirely doable and any licensed company will be able to install whatever is needed.
Getting Off The Grid
One of the main advantages for folks who love to live independently, or just plain live in isolated, hard-to-get-to areas, is how this form of energy gives you a chance to live off the grid. Both literally and figuratively, not being connected to the main electrical grid can be a good thing in some ways.
First off, you are not subject to any oscillations in quality due to foreign factors, nor do you have to wait for someone else to come fix the power line after a storm. And not having others know how much electricity you spend is also a plus for some people.
Increasing Property Value
Correctly installed solar panels are a great asset on any property, however old or new. When judging the quality of a certain parcel or house, a solar energy collector is more than just the money invested into it, it is also the prospect of future profit from it, as well as an organized network of cables, batteries, and other appliances that make the collectors useful.
A house with a solar panel is a house of the future, and one can see it as a sign that the owner took care of other things around it as well.
High demand for solar energy has driven the technology for it so much that instead of an increase in price because of demand – we are seeing a drop. So the time is perfect to hop on the renewable energy train and go green today.