A growing number of US families are opting to have solar panels installed on their homes to help combat rising electricity costs. By using the energy generated by your own solar panels, it will be possible to save a substantial amount of money every year – and become less dependent on the power grid. Even better, by switching to solar power you will also help to benefit the environment.
Let’s take a closer look at the multiple benefits solar energy can bring to your wallet and the environment.
FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF SOLAR ENERGY
Save on your electricity bill
One of the biggest attractions of switching to solar power is that you can reduce your electricity and utility bills. Exactly how much you will save depends on the total amount of PV (photovoltaic) energy your solar system can generate.
The more energy the system delivers, the bigger will be the amount that you save. A residential solar system typically produces anything from 350 to 850 kWh (kilowatt-hours) in a month. If one takes into account that according to the EIA (Energy Information Administration) the average US home needs around 909 kWh of electricity every month, a solar system can reduce your monthly electricity bill by 90% or more.
Save money by using solar tax incentives
You might not know it yet, but the US government will actually help pay for your solar system. At the time of writing they allow homeowners to deduct no less than 26% of the amount they spend on having a rooftop solar generator installed from their federal income taxes. This includes the cost of any retrofitting or remodeling work related to the solar installation.
If you, therefore, invest $10,000 in a new solar system, your tax credit will amount to $2,600. On top of that, several US states will also give homeowners who have solar units installed a rebate on their state income taxes.
BENEFITS OF SOLAR ENERGY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Solar power helps to reduce pollution levels
The global use of fossil fuels to generate electricity has increased pollution levels and negatively impacted air quality across the planet. The excessive production of carbon dioxide and methane not only causes respiratory issues, but also cardiovascular diseases and even cancer. The good news is that solar energy does not produce any of these gases during the process of energy generation – something our grandchildren will no doubt be thankful for.
A solar system will help you to save water
Without water, life on earth will stop existing. And sadly, conventional electricity generation methods have become a threat to the global water supply because a lot of it is used in the process of, e.g. cooling generators. The photovoltaic cells used in solar panels, on the other hand, do not require water for the generation of electricity.
Solar panels make us less dependent on fossil fuels
Have you ever asked yourself what the total supply of solar energy is? You might be surprised to hear that it’s virtually unlimited. If we were to capture the energy of all the sunlight that shines on the planet for a single hour, it would be enough to power the whole world for 12 months. Sunlight is abundant, and it’s free. The global supply of fossil fuels, on the other hand, is steadily being depleted. By switching to solar energy you will do your bit to make humanity less reliant on fossil fuels.
Solar energy can help to slow down climate change
We’ve already discussed the atmospheric pollution that’s being caused by the release of gases like methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide during conventional electricity generation processes. That is not the only side effect though – the burning of fossil fuels is also increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This, in turn, contributes to climate change, which in recent years has been linked to cyclones, flooding, extreme heat, droughts, and storms, When using solar panels, no greenhouse gases are generated during the electricity generation process.
Sources:
https://www.zenenergy.com.au/blog/five-advantages-of-solar-energy-on-the-environment/
https://blueravensolar.com/blog/how-much-do-solar-panels-save/
https://www.gosunpro.com/news/the-big-3-benefits-of-solar-energy-to-the-environment-and-your-wallet/
https://www.genusinnovation.com/blogs/solar-energy-can-save-environment
