The sun is our greatest and least expensive source of energy; it is even better in that it cannot be depleted and that it is available throughout the year (in most parts of the world). Solar energy has been around for eons, but it is only now that we are waking up to its true potential. Global warming and other environmental concerns have made us realize that unless we begin to seriously invest in and encourage the use of solar and other forms of renewable energy, we are not going to be able to subsist as a human race.
Reduce Use of the Grid
Besides bringing down your power usage and avoiding causing the environment more harm, investing in solar energy can actually save you a lot of money. Yes, it is expensive initially, but when you consider the long term savings, you can see that it is a pretty inexpensive proposition. The first savings you actually see are in the form of reduced power bills. When you minimize the use of electricity and use solar power, the savings are reflected in your monthly invoices.
Solar Uses
Solar energy can be used not just to heat your water, but also to provide heat to your home and also power your appliances. When you use it to heat water, a solar panel warms up the water before passing it on to a conventional water heater so that your power usage is minimized. If you have a larger panel, you could get rid of the conventional heater. In order to heat your home by tapping the sun’s energy, you need to invest in photovoltaic (PV) cells which work like rechargeable batteries – they store the sun’s energy and then use it when you need power. Again, the larger the energy system, the less your recurring power bills are.
Passive Solar
Some homes are positioned and designed to take natural advantage of the sun’s warming effect. This use of passive solar energy is advisable during summer when your heating needs are not too much and your walls, floors, roof and windows act as solar cells and retain the heat.
Getting Uncle Sam Involved
Besides the savings that you realize every month, most governments provide incentives to those who invest in solar energy, either in the form of credit or tax breaks or a combination of both. Check with your local authorities to see what kind of concession you are likely to get.
The Future of Solar
The only way we can raise awareness of the advantages of solar energy is to popularize the savings that can be realized over a period of years. When you invest in the power of the sun, all you incur are the initial costs. For the next 25 years or so, you don’t have to worry about the recurring costs of a high power bill. And the more people realize this, the more solar energy will be harnessed to meet our power needs.
About the Author
This article is written by Kat Sanders, who regularly blogs on the topic of construction management degree
at her blog The Fixer-Upper Blog. She welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: katsanders25 at gmail.com
