As technology advances, our world becomes more reliant on electronics. With all the issues that come along with having too much electricity – from electromagnetic radiation to overheating – it’s pretty clear that we need to find a sustainable solution to power our devices.
And that solution is…solar energy!
To put it simply, there are many benefits to utilizing solar energy, such as reducing pollution and dependence on fossil fuels. However, beyond the environmental benefits, there are also financial benefits to be had.
So, let’s take a look at what’s good about solar energy.
No More Pollution
It’s no secret that toxic fumes are a major concern in today’s world. Whether it’s from car exhaust or industrial chemicals, there are many toxins that contribute to air pollution. When we use fossil fuels to power our electronics, it’s like pouring gasoline onto the fire. And what’s more, the technology to create electronics has reached a point where we can fit more and more circuitry into smaller and smaller packages. This has increased the number of devices, and increased the amount of pollution that they emit.
With solar energy, there is no pollution. Not one single molecule of any type. Solar energy is environmentally clean and sustainable.
Saving Money
Since we’ve established that there’s no pollution with solar energy, it’s only fair to say that it can also save you money. In today’s world, the cost of energy is increasing, while the effectiveness of solar energy is not. In fact, in some cases, it can be more costly to buy electricity from a company than it is to generate it yourself with solar power. This is mainly because the electric company must cover the cost of extra equipment and installation, along with the maintenance.
The cost of generating electricity with solar energy is quite low, around four to five cents per kilowatt hour. However, the cost to purchase electricity can vary from 11.6 cents to 15.6 cents per kilowatt hour. So, if you live in an area where electricity is somewhat expensive, then it might be more cost-effective to pursue solar energy.
A Clean Energy Source
Another huge benefit of solar energy is that it’s a clean energy source. This means there is no danger of overheating or damage to your electronics from overheating. In some cases, this can even mean safer and more reliable operation than standard electricity sources. Imagine not having to worry about your electronics catching fire because of an overloaded electrical circuit.
Aside from the safety benefits, there is also the environmental factor. Since solar energy is a clean energy source, there’s no dangerous combustion products to pollute the air we breathe. This makes solar energy a much better option for people who care about their health as well as the environment.
More Suitable For The Developing World
Since we’re establishing that solar energy is a cleaner source of energy, it follows that it’s also more suitable for the developing world. Specifically, poor, less-developed countries that are unable to afford many of the luxuries that come with electricity. It would be great to have the ability to generate electricity at will, but until then, having the sun as a natural energy source allows them to function relatively well.
If we compare this to fossil fuels, it’s quite easy to see how much more suited they are to the developing world. In some cases, fossil fuels can only be found in limited quantities in certain places, which makes them more difficult to come by. And, of course, the cost of fossil fuels goes up and up, making them increasingly unaffordable as time passes.
A Sustainable Energy Source
It’s no secret that we’ve been struggling with global warming for years. We emit massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and it’s becoming more and more apparent that this isn’t a good thing. Even the president of the US acknowledges this, and has taken steps to reduce his country’s carbon footprint. But still, we continue to pump out more and more CO2 into the atmosphere.
When you generate your own electricity with solar energy, you aren’t contributing to this problem. This is mainly because there is no carbon footprint attached to the energy. It doesn’t come from an oil well or a coal mine, so there’s nowhere for it to go but into the atmosphere. As a result, solar energy is helping us fight global warming. It’s a beautiful thing.
This is also why solar energy is more sustainable than fossil fuels. While fossil fuels are required to generate electricity, solar energy only needs the sun and a little bit of land to function.
A Better Option For Renewable Energy
Finally, let’s discuss the benefits of solar energy as a renewable energy source. This is important because, as we’ve established, we don’t want to contribute to the pollution or harm from fossil fuels. But what exactly does this mean?
The main point is that we want our energy to be sustainable and renewable. This can mean a whole host of things, including but not limited to wind, hydro, and solar energy. Anything that puts less stress on the earth’s environment is better than oil and gas, which are both very doubtful sources of energy.
So, What’s Bad About Solar Energy?
There are a couple of things that you need to be careful about when utilizing solar energy. First, you must have excellent sunlight exposure, otherwise, it won’t be effective at all. Second, make sure that you keep an eye on your electric bill, as excessive electricity use can cause significant financial damage. Along with the first point, this is why it’s important to have an idea of how much electricity you use before you start generating it yourself. Third, make sure that you have the proper equipment to handle the massive amounts of electricity that you may produce. Otherwise, things could get very dangerous, very quickly.
But besides these three important points, solar energy is a wonderful option, and we should all be thankful that it exists.