With the price of solar panels reaching an affordable cost, you might consider the benefits of switching. Studies have shown that the average homeowner will save $1500 annually on their energy bill when using solar energy. But cost benefits are not the only reason to think about the investment.
It’s been a topic of discussion for many years. With the increased demand for power, our use of natural gas and other non-renewable resources is causing our planet to warm up. Going solar provides many environmental benefits to hedge against global warming.
Continue reading to learn more about how solar power is cleaning up our environment.
Going Solar Decreases Greenhouse Gases
When homes and businesses generate power using solar, they produce less carbon dioxide. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide increase the earth’s temperature and lead to climate change. Switching to solar helps slow down the effects greenhouse gases have on our environment.
This has a much larger effect than we may recognize. Studies done on the East Coast show that a single household switching to renewable energy is equal to planting 150 trees every year for the entirety of the solar panel’s lifetime. The savings from adding solar to your home may convince you to plant some trees of your own.
Solar Power Reduces Air Pollution
Research shows that renewable energy sources produce much fewer air pollutants than traditional forms of energy. While taken for granted, many of these pollutants cause serious health problems. Chronic bronchitis and other respiratory and cardiovascular issues come from too many pollutants in the air.
Studies show that solar produces 10 times less carbon emission than natural gas and 18 times less than coal energy. When we utilize solar power, not only do we help the environment, but we live healthier and cleaner lives.
Going Solar Reduces the Need for Non-renewable Energy
Not only does our reliance on coal and other fossil fuels damage our environment, but as we continue to use them, they are quickly depleted. The more our world population grows, the more energy we use. We must make an effort to switch to alternative sources of energy before we run out of non-renewable energy.
Going solar is an excellent option to conserve fossil fuels not only because it collects energy from the sun, but also because it’s much easier to store. Many solar systems come with battery banks that keep a reserve of power. This is especially helpful during periods of high energy usage.
Solar Power Promotes Water Conservation
A lesser-known aspect of traditional energy methods is the use of water in the cooling process. This includes power generation and transportation in natural gas, nuclear, and coal power.
More on the Benefits of Solar Power
The environmental influence that going solar has is much larger than we may realize. These are just some of the ecological benefits. Solar energy provides several other advantages to homeowners.
For more information on how solar panels improve your lifestyle as well as other innovations in today’s society, check out our Technology section.