Are you aware that the energy the sun provides to the earth for one hour could meet the global energy needs for one year? We know that the sun is a powerful energy source, and even though we are not able but to collect a fraction of this energy, yet harnessing this power by installing solar panels can make a significant difference to the planet.
While solar energy has been widely criticized for being expensive or inefficient, it has now been proven to be extremely beneficial. This is true not only for the environment but also for the private economy.
The good news is, that thanks to solar panel grants, as well as increasingly competitive prices, solar energy is becoming the main source of energy for more and more families all around the world. The technology has drastically improved over the last few years and is now being complemented by solar battery storage systems, turning solar into a significantly more efficient source of clean energy.
Five Advantages of Solar Energy
1. Renewable Energy Source
The most important benefit of solar energy is a truly renewable energy source. It is harnessed all over the world and is available every day. We will never run out of solar energy, unlike other sources of energy. Solar energy is accessible as long as the sun exists, therefore sunlight will be available to us for at least 5 billion years when according to scientists the sun is going to expire and fade out.
2. Reduces Electricity Bills
Since much of your energy needs will be generated by your solar system, your energy bills will drop. How much you save on your bill depends on the size of the solar system as well as your electricity or heat usage. Not only will you be saving on your electricity bill, but there is even the possibility of receiving payments for the surplus energy that you export back to the grid. This occurs when you generate more electricity than you use.
3. Diverse Applications
Solar energy can be used for diverse purposes. You can actually generate electricity and heat. Solar energy can be used to produce electricity in areas with no access to the energy grid, to distill water in regions that have limited clean water supplies, and to even power satellites in space.
4. Low Maintenance Costs
One thing many people do not know, is that solar energy systems generally don’t require a lot of maintenance. You only need to keep them relatively clean. Cleaning them a couple of times a year will do the job. If in doubt, you can always rely on specialized cleaning companies, which offer this service.
Most reliable solar panel manufacturers offer a 20-25 year warranty. So they truly last. Also, as there are no moving parts, so there is no wear and tear. The inverter is usually the only part that needs to be changed after 5-10 years because it is continuously working to convert solar energy into electricity and heat. Aside from the inverter, the cables also need maintenance to ensure the system runs at maximum efficiency. So, after covering the initial cost of the solar system, you can expect very little spending on maintenance and repair work.
5. Technology Development
Technology in the solar power industry is constantly advancing. Improvements will only intensify in the future. Innovations in quantum physics and nanotechnology should increase the effectiveness of solar panels and double, and possibly even triple, the electrical input of the solar power systems.