It’s well-established that using less plastic is a good thing for the environment, but it’s not the only area of impact that the green energy source has. Renewables like solar power offer numerous benefits to individuals and the world at large. Let’s take a quick look at how solar energy can save you money and help the environment.
Reduced Electricity Bills
In the long term, your electricity bill will be lower if you use solar energy than if you use conventional power sources, because solar energy is significantly less expensive than traditional energy sources. In fact, in some places, such as Germany, the payback period on a solar power system is just three years! There are several factors that drive down the cost of solar power, such as the abundance of sunshine and the large number of companies that produce high-quality solar cells. If photovoltaic (PV) systems are a part of your future energy plan, you will be able to enjoy lower electricity bills and a smaller carbon footprint thanks to solar power. PV systems are also more reliable than traditional energy sources, which means that your electricity bills will be lower if your PV system produces more energy than it consumes.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Speaking of smaller carbon footprints, using less energy and producing less waste are important for the environment, and they’re also two of the major ways that solar energy cuts costs. First of all, using less energy means that you’re producing less carbon dioxide and other harmful gases. In addition, when you use renewable energy sources like solar power, you won’t need to buy carbon credits, because the environment is rewarded for your sustainable energy choices! Second, solar power reduces your carbon footprint because manufacturing solar cells and solar panels requires very little in the way of resources (such as rare earth elements like indium and tellurium). In terms of manufacturing, solar cells are similar to conventional cells in that they consist of semi-conductors sandwiched between two pieces of metal, but the main difference is in the way that sunlight is absorbed by the solar cell. When light hits a solar cell, it is usually reflected back without being absorbed, which is why using less energy is so important when producing solar power.
Saving Money
Speaking of reasons to go solar, there are several that come to mind. First, let’s look at the cost of energy. Conventional power sources are highly expensive, as noted above, and depending on where you are, the cost of electricity can be even more. In some places, like Singapore, the cost of electricity is up to 10 times more than in other areas of the world. For obvious reasons, money is really not an object when you’re paying such high prices for energy every month.
On the other hand, solar energy production is significantly cheaper than conventional power sources, and it’s becoming cheaper every year. In many places, such as Germany, Austria, and Italy, the payback period on a solar power system is just three years! In addition to the cost of energy, another major advantage of solar power is its ability to generate electricity at any time of the day or night, depending on the situation. On a cloudy day, it’s still possible to generate electricity with a PV system, but you’ll need a way to store the energy produced during the day, such as a large battery.
Choosing to go green is a great way to ensure that you’re using sustainable energy sources and products, and it helps the environment because less energy is consumed when using these alternative sources. Most importantly, it will save you money in the long term. With solar energy, you’ll be able to enjoy lower electricity bills and a smaller carbon footprint, which will in turn save you money. In the end, the benefits of going green and choosing solar energy simply outweigh the costs, and it’s a solid decision for both individuals and the environment.