The cost of energy has been increasing year after year. It now takes a lot of effort to maintain a decent standard of living, and a large chunk of your paycheck to pay for it. Thankfully, there are alternative forms of energy that can help raise your quality of life. One such form is solar energy, and in this article, we will tell you more about how it can help you and your wallet.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
With the ever-increasing climate change talks, one of the major issues discussed is the massive carbon footprint that human beings have. You may not be aware of this, but the production of your laptop, smartphone, or other devices generates a carbon footprint. The simple fact that these products are made from fossil fuels means that they contribute to the destruction of the environment. This is not something that humans can afford. If you’re serious about protecting the earth, you’ll have to reduce your carbon footprint as much as possible. One way to do this is by utilizing green technology, such as solar power.
The most obvious use of solar energy is to generate electricity. With the technology growing at an exponential rate, it is not surprising that more people are discovering the many advantages of solar power. One of the major advantages is that it reduces your carbon footprint. When you use solar energy to generate electricity, you’re not contributing to the destruction of the environment, since electricity is generated using clean sources of energy, such as the sun. For what it’s worth, the sun doesn’t shine all day long, so using solar power at night makes more sense. This way, you’ll be saving money and the environment at the same time!
Cost-effective
The cost of solar energy has come down dramatically over the years, which makes it more accessible for the average person. Once again, this is due to the technology improving and evolving, along with the introduction of new products and applications. The cost of solar energy equipment has decreased by nearly 80% since 2010, reaching an all-time low in 2021 of just $0.02/kWh. This decline is largely attributed to increased demand and a limited supply of solar panels, resulting in lower prices. With the cost of solar energy now declining, more and more people are able to afford the technology. It’s important to keep in mind that any significant investment in solar energy will be paid back exponentially, as detailed in the article below.
Durable & Transportable
One of the major barriers to entry for many would be the location of the panels. You can’t necessarily install solar panels at home without proper guidance, because there’s usually not enough room in your average home. For what its worth, even if you do have the room, it’s still preferable to put the equipment in a warehouse or other out-of-home location. This is because the equipment is prone to damage from the weather, especially if it’s not built tough enough. Another disadvantage is that not all power outlets are compatible with all solar generators. This can be solved with a bit of research, however.
One significant advantage of solar energy is that it is both durable and transportable. This is important to keep in mind. If you need to move the equipment due to an upgrade or other reason, then this poses no problem. You can connect the panel(s) to an inverter, which is basically a transformer that takes the DC power and turns it into usable AC power that your electronics can use. This is typically done at a fixed location (e.g., your home or office), but it can be transported via truck or other vehicles. This is vital for those living in areas where weight restrictions exist, as in the case of apartment buildings and other common places where parking lots are a major concern. You can also perform this function yourself using home power tools, such as an inverter and a soldering iron. This way, you can generate your own energy even when the sun isn’t shining, and use it when you need it. This flexibility is critical for those living in a warmer climate, as you can literally run your air conditioner on solar power during the day!
Self-sufficient
Self-sufficiency is important for many reasons, but especially if you live in a place where electricity is not readily available. Being self-sufficient allows you to generate your own electricity, which reduces your carbon footprint and allows you to have flexibility with your power usage. Even more impressive is that you can be completely independent from the electricity grid, which many people refer to as becoming ‘energy-independent’. If you live in a place where electricity is not readily available or expensive, then this truly is an amazing prospect. The fact that you can generate your own energy and be completely independent from the grid is a feat that not many can claim.
The technology involved in generating solar power is not complicated, and it’s been around for quite some time. Modern solar cells were originally developed in the 1960s, and have been steadily improving ever since. As we’ve established, solar panels have numerous advantages, but cost and location are probably the most significant factors. The cost of solar energy equipment has declined, as has the location constraint. This has enabled more people to benefit from this clean energy source. If you’re interested in utilizing solar energy, then consider all its advantages while making sure that you account for its disadvantages. There is no question that the future of energy is renewable, and it is high time that we as a society acknowledge and embrace this fact.