II. Why Solar Panels?
There are many challenges that come along with the scarce resources
that are currently being used for our electricity supply and solar
panels are one of the answers to overcoming these challenges we
are facing.
Solar Panel Global Benefits
Aside from the fact that your electricity bill will
always continue to rise unless you make a change, there are more important
factors that come into play and I'll outline a couple for you.
-Solar Panels do not contribute to global warming, as it does not
contaminate the air by releasing carbon dioxide or other pollutants.
The fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gases that are being
used for our electricity emit 10.3 million tons of sulfur dioxide,
3.9 million tons of nitrogen oxides, 2.4 billion tons of carbon
dioxide, and over 50 tons of mercury a year. Not only is this dangerous
for the environment but it's a danger to your health because these
emissions are toxic. Every single year the emission of these gases
rise considerably. Fossil fuel electricity generation is responsible
for 36% of the country's emissions of carbon dioxide and the single
largest contributor to global warming. (Statistics taken from the
Official Energy Statistics from the US Government; http://www.eia.doe.gov/)
-Over its 35-year expected life, a 10 kW solar panel system will
provide the equivalent CO2 reduction as planting 1450 trees. (Based
on typical utility pollution) It will produce 575,000 kilowatt hours
of electricity, as much as would be generated by burning 583,000
lbs of coal.
-Solar Panels are the most cleanest source of alternative Energy.
There is absolutely zero pollution to the environment, which makes
a better way of living for your children and generations beyond.
Solar Panel Personal Benefits
-It's free renewable energy unlike the source
that is powering your current power supply. As long as the sun as
around, you can take advantage of completely free energy.
-Slash your electricity and fuel bills by great numbers or get rid
of them completely.
-According to a recent survey by California Solar Institute, for
every $1 of savings from your energy bill annually, you get an increase
of $20 in your home value. Hence, this means that a savings of $1500
or more will equate to an increase of $30,000 in your home sale
value.
-A bill was just passed that provides people who purchase solar
panels to take advantage of great tax credits, so when you buy solar
panels, you automatically get a nice chunk of change taken off the
cost right away.
-Once the initial cost of purchasing the panels are paid in full,
the electricity it produces for the remainder of the system's lifespan,
which is decades, is absolutely free!
-Solar panels make it possible to live off-grid, which means living
in a self-sufficient manner without reliance on one or more public
utilities. With the advent of global climate change, it has become
more important that we do whatever we can to reduce the pressure
on our atmosphere from the emission of greenhouse gases.
-For people who have their solar panels tied in with the utility
company, the benefits begin from the moment the system comes online,
potentially eliminating monthy electric bills or, and this is the
best part, actually earning the system's owner additional income
from the electric company. If you use less power than your solar
electric system produces, that excess power can be sold, sometimes
at a premium, to your electric utility company. So, let’s
say you’ve got some solar power panels up on your roof for
the summer but you decide to go on and take a vacation for a month.
All the power that is being generated gets credited to your account.
At the end of the year, if you use as much power as you feed back
into the grid, your power bill is negligible.
-No more spoiling your food due to power outages
-The use of solar energy for homes and businesses can help reduce
transport of fuel that would otherwise be used for heating, further
reducing carbon emissions.
Part
III. Types of Solar Panels-->
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