The many advantages of solar energy

Solar power is most associated with global warming and environmental responsibility. But now the financial benefits of solar energy are becoming the most sought-after benefit. The financial and functional benefits of installing a solar energy system are becoming more clear as costs decrease.  Solar panels can satisfy as much as 100% of your electric usage depending on the amount of roof space you have, solar access and other conditions. For many businesses and homeowners, this is an apparent solution to their energy needs. However, if you’re on the fence about whether to get a solar system or questioning if it’s really worth the time, effort and investment, you may want to examine the other benefits of solar energy.

Not only is solar power an especially advantageous financial decision for your home or business, but it can also contribute considerably to the wellness of the environment and even to public health in general.  To help you better understand why solar energy is good for the environment, we’ve described the differences between solar and conventional energy, the drawbacks of conventional fossil fuels and why solar panels are better for the environment.

Solar energy vs. conventional energy

Estimates suggest that about 2/3 of the electricity generated in the United States comes from fossil fuels — 33 percent from coal, 33 percent from natural gas and another one percent from petroleum. When burned, these common energy sources can be used to generate electricity. However, they simultaneously generate a huge amount of greenhouse gases. These gases get discharged into the atmosphere, polluting the air and trapping heat within the earth’s atmosphere. The most notable of these gases is carbon dioxide.

Between manufacturing, installation, development, maintenance, and dismantling, natural gas emits between 0.6 and two pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour, and coal emits between 1.4 and 3.6 pounds per kilowatt-hour. Though it may just seem like innocuous smoke, these gases can build up in the atmosphere, causing serious risk to the environment and public health.

Solar power offers a solution and it's available now

Solar energy uses light collected from the sun to produce electricity. The process typically involves sunlight hitting a solar panel, where the photons of light are transformed into electrons, producing electricity. This electricity can then be converted into a form useable within the building, at which point it can be immediately used. This process is expeditious, direct and allows little to no carbon emissions. Between manufacturing, installation, operation, maintenance and dismantling, solar energy produces a total of 0.07 to 0.2 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour, a fraction of the amount generated by fossil fuels.

The drawbacks of old energy sources

Conventional energy sources have served the United States for decades, but the environmental and public health issues associated with this energy source have grown more noticeable in the public eye. Many of these concerns are a consequence of the byproducts of the fossil fuel burning process, known more commonly as “greenhouse gases.” These problems have arisen across the globe, causing several countries to pursue alternative energy production techniques in an effort to reduce their greenhouse gas creation.

Harmful extraction process: The extraction of fossil fuels from the earth can be overwhelming for the local environment. Strip mining, drilling, and fracking can all have negative impacts on the neighboring environment. Strip mining leaves ecosystems more vulnerable to catastrophic flooding, while drilling can unearth toxic minerals, poisoning groundwater.

For more information relating to going solar, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles. Since the price of solar panels remains low, solar power is one of the best investments that can be made in today's financial markets.

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