Wednesday, February 9, 2011

What The Advantages of Solar Energy Mean for You

By Richie Vee


One of the main advantages of solar energy is that it's one of the most abundant sources of energy on this planet. While there is a lot of talk about tapping into this energy source, individually there are many benefits for adopting this technology. The best thing about solar energy is that it can be used for small solutions as well as major ones. So you can start with small and simple solar solutions and then grow to something more robust. You would be surprised to know that the total sunlight that falls on earth is more than enough to satisfy the total energy needs on this planet 35000 times over. Now that is, truly an abundant source of energy.

Whenever people talk about solar energy, renewable and sustainable are a part of the discussions. A renewable energy source means an energy resource that does not require human intervention to replenish - it can do it naturally. Sunlight never gets exhausted, so it does not need replenishment. You can use it as much or as little as you want and you will still have lots of energy left.

A sustainable energy resource is one which can be used to fuel present needs without compromising the future generations. Solar energy is a clean and abundant energy source which will never exhaust. Besides it is a very clean energy source - so tapping it today does not jeopardise the future of this planet in any way. It is a sustainable source of energy in every sense of the term.

However, the reality is that solar energy is not a major fuel source today. Fossil fuels continue to pollute and dominate the power domain. America alone imports 50% of all its fossil fuel needs. This was just 33% some thirty years ago and is predicted to rise to 66% in the coming years. So we are not just polluting, but we're also becoming indebted to other nations. Using solar energy helps us break out from this cycle. It can be produced within the US without relying on foreign nations. Switching to solar power moves you out of the utility supplier grid and helps bring down your power bills. Besides, a solar home commands a premium price over regular home as well.

You can insulate yourself from the electric power bills by using solar energy. With sun powering your ecofriendly house, you need not worry about hikes in power bills anymore. Regardless of what the local utility company charges, your costs will not change since you are relying on sun for your power. Every house that moves off the grid onto the solar power nets the nation energy savings since there is a lesser need to import fuel. By opting for solar energy you are also reducing your carbon footprint in the world. Given that the average American has an 18 ton/year carbon footprint; this is a lot of pollution for us to bring down.

Sunlight is quite powerful and can truly drive your entire home. On a bright sunny day, you can produce nearly 1kWh of power from just a one square meter solar panel. You can expect to get about 6 kWh over the course of a sunny day. Since the average household uses about 30 kWh a day a five sq. meter solar panel in your backyard or roof should take care of your monthly bill.

Electric energy is one of the most widely used forms of energy on this planet. This is because most of what we do today is powered by electricity. Fortunately, solar energy can be transformed into electric energy easily. Presently, the majority of electric power is produced is by burning coal. If we switch to solar, we can save on all of that greenhouse gas pollution. Interestingly, solar units function at their best just when the need for electric power is also at its peak - middays; so solar units are great to satisfy peak time power demands in most nations.

There are many advantages of solar energy to be enjoyed by us in a safe and responsible manner. It is not just the advantages we reap in reduced power bills, but also in form of incentives given by the government to push these technologies forward.




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