Solar Panels are a great way to save the Earth, save money, store energy, and allow you to generate different types of energy from one single source. The sun provides so much energy and we need to take advantage of it! Unfortunately, with their high initial cost, dependency on good, consistent summer-like weather, and poor production process, many people are unsure about buying solar panels. In this blog, I will be helping you figure out whether or not solar panels are a beneficial purchase for you to make.
How solar panels benefit the Earth: Solar panels provide natural, clean, pure energy. The sun produces thermal and light energy and many types of solar radiation to the Earth. As a result, the sun’s energy can be used to power homes and buildings, help decrease the production of greenhouse gases, and ultimately reduce the effects of climate change. This is because traditionally, energy came from coal, fossil fuels, and gas which does not help the health of our Earth.
How much energy is used to make solar panels? The benefits above are worth striving for, and it is important to consider the amount of energy that goes into the production of solar panels. I know this may sound counterintuitive, but it is always important to understand the manufacturing process of an item before being a consumer. How much energy went into making this? What materials were used and where did they come from? Where was the product itself from? Who made it? Who am I supporting by buying this? Do they have the same or similar goals, ethics, and morals as I do? Is there a more sustainable way to buy this? These are general questions I ask myself before making any purchase, big or small. Also, go check out my earlier blog on minimalism where I offer even more important questions to ask yourself before buying something here. If you have decided solar panels are still something you would like, then keep reading. (Keep reading because, in the long run, you WILL reduce greenhouse gas even when you consider the poor production process.)
How do solar panels benefit your wallet: Yes, you can save money with solar panels! The trees you have to cut down to make solar panels are probably will end up in your wallet as paper dollar bills once you have saved all that money. The initial cost is high due to the small size of the industry. However, wIth solar panels, you will likely earn back most or all, if not more than the money you invested into your solar panels within a matter of a few years. Your energy bills will drop significantly if they even still exist. Plus, they have a very low maintenance cost. You can sell any extra energy back to the grid (if you are connected to the grid) and it can actually earn you thousands. You will earn money back if you use your panels in the long term. They can usually pay themselves off within the decade.
Other benefits of going solar: There are other benefits to buying solar. For example, they can store energy. This is super helpful for many reasons. Unfortunately, solar panels depend on weather conditions. However, this feature means you can still have electricity when the power goes out, it is dark and rainy, or the clouds are covering your home. The technology is also always advancing. Don’t feel like you are behind on this “trend”. One other feature is that many types of energy can be produced from solar. They generate not only electricity but heat as well. Using clean energy can also just be helpful if you use an electric car, many electric household appliances, or want to feel less guilty for using a nightlight. I got a lot of this content from this website here.
Is going solar right for me? This is a question that depends on the person, building, home, and location. Now that you know the pros and cons, the choice will be an easier one to make. But if you want to know whether or not they are right for you in particular, there are many things you can do. You could get a consultation for your house where a professional can look at the trees, your roof, and space available. Or, if you aren’t ready for that, try taking a look at Google Project Sunroof. It will give you a great overview of your roof and sun exposure. If you don’t think solar panels are applicable for your home, also consider connecting to a solar farm-- that is what my family did to support the usage of clean energy. I hope this blog gave you some help in making your decision or opened you to the idea of installing solar panels. Check out this video. See you next week with more thoughts. Peace.