
Energy shortage, pollution and environmental degradation are some of the biggest challenges humankind faces today. Thus, the shift to renewable and sustainable energy is the need of the hour. Solar power has increasingly grown popular because of the growing awareness about sustainable energy coupled with an increased visibility of solar power in the market. Solar energy involves energy production through solar cells made out of semiconducting metals like silicon or Germanium.
When light rays (photons) fall on these cells, they knock off electrons and start a cascade which eventually generates electricity. However, since the output of individual solar cells is meagre, several cells have to be put together into a solar panel to be able to generate sufficient energy. Electronics have become an indispensable part of our lives. Cell phones, TV’s, microwaves, refrigerators, lights and tons of other devices will be rendered useless without electricity. And if we can’t supply enough energy to meet our needs we must come up with innovative
technology that is efficient and sustainable both.A major disadvantage of solar energy is the high costs associated with its installation. However, it is a one-time investment and in the long run, the returns are tremendous. Here are a few ways in which you can install solar and save money -
1. Save on energy bills
In the United States alone, about 30 kWh of electricity is consumed daily. When you have solar panels for home and a storage system along with it, you practically won’t be needing any electricity from outside. This becomes one of the best ways to install solar and save money. With a home solar system, you save money because you don't need to pay for electricity anymore. All the electricity you need for yourself is right there with you whenever you need it. Moreover, if you invest in a grid tie inverter too and generate more energy than you use, you can sell it to others who don’t have a home solar system and have extra
income too!
2. Tax Incentives
Making the shift from easily available and popular fossil fuels to environmentally friendly solar power is not easy. To appreciate and motivate people to opt for this green alternative, the government is taking steps too. Several state governments provide tax incentives to people who lead the way by taking a step towards installing solar panels for home and inspire other people to do the same. The shift to green energy is not only necessary but the only option to protect our planet from the distress of non-renewable energy usage. People and governments alike are realising the importance of clean energy for life on Earth. More and more companies are striving towards reducing solar panels’ cost, making them more affordable and easily available. All these measures are to support people in going green.
3. Amplify the value of your house
Solar panels aren’t the only alternative when it comes to solar energy. There are solardevices like solar watches, solar water heaters and solar lamps for those who feel that solarpanels cost a ton and wish to start off on a lower budget. However, simply associating theword ‘solar’ amplifies the value of a property. Installing solar panels for home use is a smart technology. A lot of people are on the lookout for eco-friendly homes. The fact that a Home solar system is self-sufficient is usually enough to instantly increase the property cost by several folds. Along with the environmental benefits that solar panels offer, you can also boast of a much worthier house. However, solar panels come with their share of cons. The efficiency of energy production greatly decreases when the weather is cloudy or rainy. The high initial investment also deters people from opting from solar power. But the pros outweigh the cons heavily. There are also different types of solar panels classified on the level of efficiency. The more efficient it is, the more expensive it gets. Depending on your energy needs you can gauge the level of efficiency you need. You don’t necessarily need to buy the expensive one. Align the solar panels cost with its energy output before making a choice. To make choosing easier, several online platforms assist users with the selection process thus enabling them to cut down on installation costs, soft costs, etc. Despite the intricacies, experts recommend solar power for taking our planet towards a green, sustainable future.