Saving with solar panels

 
In Oman solar panels have been installed in 22 schools to provide them clean energy and reduce the carbon footprint associated with electricity production. The panels were installed by the Oman office of global energy company Shell, as part of its “Solar into Schools” project under its “Gift to the Nation” initiative.

Let’s explore the many advantages of getting solar panels.

Solar power is the most abundant energy source on earth. It works by converting solar radiation into electricity that we can use to power our homes, vehicles, and even cities. Solar power is a clean and renewable energy source, making it an excellent alternative to non-renewable energy such as coal and oil.

Today more and more homes are making the switch to solar power each year. This helps us in a collective sense to battle climate change and the effects it is having on our planet. Increased use of solar energy reduces air pollution, water usage, and combats greenhouse gas emissions.

If you’re wondering if solar panel installation is worth your investment, this is where you’ll find out for yourself. Let’s explore the many advantages of getting solar panels for your home.

Reduce Your Electricity Bill

Most people at some point in their lives worry about the cost of their electricity bill. Every month, there’s always a chance it could be more expensive.

You always need to ask yourself: Did I turn off the closet light? Did I leave the computer running overnight? How long was the TV on today?

This can become exhausting. No one wants to be worrying about electricity usage all day, every day. This is not to mention that the cost of electricity has been on a steady upward trend.

In the last few decades alone, the price of electricity rose about 40% and it doesn’t look like it will be slowing down. This is where solar power comes into play.

Reducing costs on electricity is actually one of the most common reasons people decide to go solar. Think about it: instead of getting your electricity through utility companies, you’re getting your energy from the sun. It almost sounds too good to be true.

The Environmentally Friendly Solar Panel

If you’ve always cared about the environment, this is likely one of the more attractive advantages of going solar. In a world full of pollution and fossil fuels, solar energy is a very appealing renewable energy source. To be precise, renewable energy is defined as energy that can be used indefinitely and does not have a finite source.

While we will run out of the pockets of oil and natural gas in the planet, solar panels can rely on the sun for energy without any fear of running out of solar rays.

You may believe that solar power cannot be used in environments that have long, dark winters or long periods of clouds and rain. It may seem that there is no choice but to use fossil fuels in these locations. This is not the case.

Solar panels are advanced and can absorb plenty of solar energy during dark, cloudy weather. This is because, even though it may seem dark, solar rays are able to penetrate clouds and be absorbed by solar technology without much trouble.

Another benefit of solar panels is that they do not produce any greenhouse gasses that can pollute the atmosphere. This, of course, all helps in improving your carbon footprint, which is defined as the amount of carbon dioxide emissions something produces.

Energy Security off the Grid

You may not realise it, but you most likely depend on the power grid to live out your everyday life. You may realize how dependent you are on the grid only when the power is knocked out by a bad storm or a problem with your neighbourhood’s electrical lines.

Once you’re without power, what do you do? You can’t turn on the lights, you can’t use your oven to cook, you can’t watch TV or listen to the radio, and sooner or later, your phone will die if you have no power to charge it. It sounds awful, doesn’t it?

This is the terrible truth if relying on the power grid. Solar power, however, can save you from this reliance, especially if you invest in a solar battery that allows you to store your solar power. Since you are getting your power from the sun instead of external sources, you can live comfortably off the electrical grid.

Another side of this is that you are also being economically independent with solar panels. Instead of relying on foreign coal, oil, and gas which are always becoming more expensive, you have your own steady flow of electricity from the comfort of your home.

Solar Power Is Cheap

A common misconception is that solar panels are too expensive for the average American to afford. They’re advanced and can save you money, so it must be too good to be true. This is not the case.

Over the past couple of decades, the cost of solar panels has been decreasing. On average, buying solar panels in addition to the installation costs around $20,000, but the exact number varies from state to state.

This may seem like a lot, but considering the amount of money you can save over time and with the help of solar energy credits and federal incentives, this is a very good investment. Depending on the cost of solar panels in your area, your solar panels can easily make back their worth within a few years.

As long as you don’t plan on moving too soon after going solar, there’s no need to worry about losing your money to solar panels.

Your Home Value Will Increase

Speaking of moving out of your home, if you do plan to sell your house at some point after getting solar panels, you will be surprised regarding your house’s value. This is because installing solar panels for your home can increase your home’s value. In fact, solar panels can add more value to a property than a swimming pool or fancy landscaping.

Who wouldn’t want to buy a house that already has a built-in renewable energy system? To put it into perspective, adding solar panels to your home can increase its value by $9,000 or more. This is not mentioning that solar panels are one of the most important factors homebuyers look for when house hunting.

Houses with solar panels are also known to sell very quickly. This is because those who are on the lookout to buy a house are looking for ways to save money on electricity. The housing market is always very competitive, and solar panels will do wonders for giving your home an edge over the competition.

Low Maintenance

You may love the idea of having solar panels for your home, but what about the maintenance? No one wants to spend hours out of their day climbing up on the roof and cleaning mounds of debris off of their home’s solar panels so they can continue working properly.

Luckily for you, solar panels are very low maintenance. Since solar panels are not mechanical, that is, they do not contain moving parts, you don’t have to worry about any parts or springs coming loose or breaking free.

While the insides of solar panels are delicate, the glass that covers the inside is very durable so you don’t need to worry about your panels breaking. Most solar panels are designed to tolerate storm winds.