Fuel comes in so many different forms. The choice that you make is dependent on your specific requirements. Over the past few years though, there has been a strong interest in environment-friendly fuel options. Is it possible to power your home’s appliances without nuclear energy? It is very possible. Solar energy has been supplying very many homes with power for just about everything. There are so many things that you will love about solar energy. It does not matter whether you are all about greener earth or you just do not care about the environment, you are bound to love solar energy.
How much solar is being used in America?
Just how popular is solar energy in America? You might be tempted to think that just because you do not know anyone with solar panels on the roof of their home then solar energy is not all that popular. Quite on the contrary, the popularity of solar energy across the world has been increasing tremendously over the years. The solar market in the U.S. grew by a staggering 76% in the year 2012. This is the biggest growth in solar power that American households have ever seen.
Statistics go one to show that by the June of 2013 at least 75% of American homes had the pay-as-you-go solar power available to them. Surely you know why solar power is becoming popular with each passing day. It has a lot of benefits to offer and thus its benefits. Some of these benefits include:
- Huge savings
The money you add a solar panel to your home you bring in some amazing savings each month. In most states, it is estimated that you can save more than $100 every single month on energy bills. A regular solar panel has a warranty of about twenty years. It is only imaginable how much you will get to save in the next twenty years when you have a solar panel.
- Saving starts immediately
Right from the moment you install a solar panel in your home, you get to start saving. There are solar purchase power agreements (PPAs) and the solar leasing which makes it possible for you to get solar panels easily for a very small fee. Many homeowners are fascinated by the fact that they can get a solar system installed on their property without having to pay a fortune in the process.
- Easy installation
The solar leasing and PPAs are among the most popular financing options where you get to pay as you go. Basically, there is a third-party company which is the solar provider. The company owns the solar system and they will take care of everything from the installation and maintenance to monitoring and repairs. So you will be paying the solar provider for electricity. The fees, of course, will be lower than what you would have paid the utility company.
- Boost the value of your home
Right from the moment you have solar panel installations done in your home, you can sit back and watch the value of your home rise dramatically. Solar is a fantastic alternative energy option for many people. There are things like heating water and lighting the house. These can take up a lot of energy but then with solar energy to supplement it things should be easier. Being such a convenient feature, solar is awesome for your home’s value.
- No dramatic bills
Utility companies are famous for their unreliable and always fluctuating electricity prices. There is always an upward trend. With solar panels this not the case. You get fixed energy costs because the sun is not being powered by some generator or petrol. With solar energy, it is possible to calculate how much you are going to spend on electricity for at least the coming twenty years.
- Guaranteed excellence
As aforementioned, there is a 20 to 25-year warranty that comes with solar panels. It is also known as the performance guarantee. The industry standard guarantees that you will get at least 80% performance after the twenty-five year period. The real lifespan of a solar panel is by far longer than this. You will be getting a good amount of electricity some thirty and perhaps even forty years down the line.
- Save the environment
Saving the best for last- it is important to save this earth. With carbon dioxide emission standing at 17.9% of the world total emission going to the U.S. alone something must be done. You can take up the challenge to save the earth by installing solar panels in your home and business. The environmental benefits that accrue from the use of this renewable source of energy are so many. The sun is not shutting down for another several billion years. It will provide clean electricity for this period of time.
The process of solar panel installation
Installing solar panels can be a little bit difficult because several things must be done. There is the part of the selection of the panels. By the time you are picking up the panel in the market, you will have had to select from a bunch of brands. Secondly, finding someone to do the installation can also be hard. It is not every person who knows a thing about electricity can do the installation for you.
With research and technological developments being carried out on the existing solar panels, you need someone who has a clear understanding of the goings-on in the industry. This way you will avoid the tragedy of poor installation which could easily result in injuries, financial losses due to reduced efficiency of the panel as well as damage to the panels themselves.
It would not be fair to close without mentioning the cost of installation. With legislation being in favor of adopting solar energy, the process of installing solar panels has become significantly cheaper and faster. There are incentives available to make sure that you are able to access fantastic solar power without paying a fortune in the process.
