Nearly everyone who’s been paying attention has grown concerned about the state of our planet in the past few years. We’ve seen an upswell of activism and advocacy for the environment, and we’ve embraced it wholeheartedly.
However, many of us have resisted the idea of changing our lifestyles to benefit the environment. Too many changes are inconvenient and expensive, we think. Since we’re already fans of activism and advocacy, we should have no problem trying solar power, right?
Well, we’re here to tell you that there are actually many more benefits of going green than simply contributing to the health of our planet. We’re here to tell you why you should switch to solar.
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Positive Impact on the Environment
Switching to solar energy is a great way to reduce a person’s carbon footprint in order to positively impact the environment. Solar energy is an abundant, renewable, and clean energy source. Solar energy production does not emit any greenhouse gas emissions, and by switching to solar, you can help reduce pollution, land degradation, and deforestation.
Additionally, solar energy is silent, and it requires no fuel to create power. This means it can be placed in even the quietest of rural areas without causing any disturbance. Solar energy is a great way to not only reduce one’s carbon footprint but also to benefit the local economy and help create a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
Improved Air Quality
Going green can have a lasting positive impact on air quality. Solar energy is clean and renewable, meaning that it doesn’t create harmful air pollutants like traditional sources of electricity. This helps reduce smog and other air pollution that is dangerous to our environment and to our health.
Additionally, by relying on solar energy, we can reduce our reliance on natural gas, coal, and oil which all produce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. By transitioning to solar, we can reduce those emissions and help improve air quality for everyone.
Furthermore, lessening our reliance on fossil fuels helps free up resources for more socially beneficial endeavors. Therefore, this is a win-win for the environment and the community.
Increased Home Value
Investing in solar power is a great way to increase the value of your home. Solar energy is clean and renewable, which appeals to a lot of people. Investing in solar energy can also increase your home’s value when it comes time to sell, as buyers are often looking for properties with sustainable energy technology.
Installing solar for your house can increase your home’s value by about 4%. Many utility companies offer incentives in some states, making it even more affordable. By going solar, homeowners experience the pride of supporting a good cause and increased home value.
Energy Independence
Switching to solar energy offers several benefits that increase our energy independence. By going solar, much of our reliance on non-renewable fossil fuel sources of energy can be reduced.
This reduces emissions and helps to combat climate change. Energy independence is another great benefit of solar power. We can reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources, giving us greater control over our energy sources and prices.
Government Incentives
Although the upfront cost may be more than traditional energy solutions, government incentives, over time, can help make going solar more affordable. For example, by taking advantage of federal and state solar tax incentives, you can reduce the money you would otherwise have to put up-front to purchase or lease your solar system.
Furthermore, the solar tax credit allows home and business owners to deduct a portion of the cost of their solar systems from their federal taxes. Additionally, most states have enacted laws to support the growth of solar with laws such as net metering, permitting, and other incentives.
With these existing pieces of legislation, you can have a greater return on a home solar energy system and further maximize your energy savings.
Job Creation
Going green and switching to solar is not only advantageous for the environment, but it can also have a positive impact on job creation. Solar energy projects are complex and require the expertise of trained professionals in a variety of fields like engineering, panel installation, economics, and energy efficiency.
Transitioning to a renewable energy source means that there is an increased demand for employees in these areas, which translates to an increase in employment opportunities for skilled workers. Moreover, the installation of solar panels also stimulates the economy by boosting the wages of these job sectors.
Additionally, the growth of solar energy creates tax revenue for local governments, which can be used to fund other social services, creating even more need for job creation.
In sum, going green and switching to solar help reduce our collective carbon footprint, provides employment opportunities to many people, and benefits the economy.
Durable and Low Maintenance
Solar energy is a renewable energy source and incredibly durable, with panels typically lasting anywhere from 25 to 30 years. Going green by switching to solar can offer some stellar benefits, not only for our planet but for ourselves as well. Solar energy systems are durable and low maintenance, so once you’ve gone through with the installation process, you can enjoy your energy source year-round with relatively minimal upkeep.
The initial cost of installing solar panels may seem high, but they require very little maintenance once they are in place and provide a lifetime of energy cost savings. The cost savings associated with solar energy systems can be significant as well, due to limited reoccurring expenses and no reliance on an energy source equates to lower monthly bills.
Reliability
Switching to solar energy has immense benefits in terms of reliability. Solar energy is an inexhaustible resource, and there is no need to worry about it running out. It also offers high reliability because it does not rely on a continuous supply of fuel to operate but instead utilizes the power from the sun.
Long-Term Cost Savings
Going green can have impressive long-term cost savings for people who make the switch. Solar energy is abundant and largely renewable, resulting in fewer electricity bills over time and very little maintenance required, especially in comparison to traditional fossil fuels.
As solar installation becomes more affordable and technology becomes more advanced, solar energy can provide an increasingly reliable and cost-saving alternative to grid-based electricity in the long run. The ability to produce electricity from the sun during peak power times can also help utilities reduce their costs, pass those savings to customers, and lead to more significant long-term cost savings.
All in all, leveraging modern solar energy provides long-term cost savings and benefits that are just too ample to ignore.
Community Benefits
Businesses benefit from solar energy in two ways — they can lower costs and be socially responsible. Solar panels help reduce a business’s dependence on fluctuating energy prices that increase each year.
On a community level, solar energy provides tangible benefits as well. Renewable energy can help communities become more self-reliant and independent, which, in turn, helps to strengthen economic and energy security.
Solar energy is an environmentally sustainable option, capable of significantly reducing human health and environmental and carbon emissions when compared to traditional energy sources — all of which play a large role in local community benefits.
Sustainable Development
Sustainable development refers to using resources in a way that is capable of lasting for future generations. Going green and switching to solar is an important part of sustainable development. Solar energy is abundant, renewable, and free to use, making it one of the most beneficial elements of sustainable development.
Solar energy can be used to power homes, schools, and businesses, in turn reducing the reliance on energy produced from fossil fuels. When implemented correctly, solar energy can help decrease air and water pollution.
Not only do these benefits contribute to sustainable development, but they can also lead to financial savings for solar energy users. For these reasons, switching to solar energy is an important part of going green and achieving a more sustainable future.
Reduced Water Usage
Switching to solar energy is one of the best ways to reduce water usage. Solar energy requires very little water to operate and generate electricity. Solar power systems don’t require water to cool the system; they prevent the emission of toxic pollutants that require massive amounts of water to dispose of.
Additionally, solar panels divert water that is otherwise used in traditional methods of electricity production to other more beneficial purposes. Solar energy generation requires no water or fossil fuels, relying instead on the sun’s energy to generate electricity.
This means that energy production processes require no water and no cooling and can not only reduce water consumption but can also reduce the number of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, further aiding environmental protection efforts.
Educational Opportunities
Educational opportunities are vast for going green and switching to solar energy. Through hands-on projects like installing and managing solar panels, students can gain experience. In classes like physics, engineering, or environmental studies, students can explore the science and technology behind solar energy.
Libraries can offer books and other educational materials to help kids become informed about solar as a sustainable power source. School fundraisers could be used to purchase solar panels, unite a community around a common goal, and introduce children to green practices.
Field trips can immerse children in the many aspects of solar energy. It let them witness its potential firsthand. Going green and switching to solar opens exciting educational possibilities for all.
Energy Security
Going green and switching to solar energy is an incredible way to ensure energy security. Not only does this reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but it also helps protect us from the tremendous financial burden of obtaining fuel from other sources. The renewable energy created by solar power is free and available for everyone, regardless of their energy budget.
Switching to solar energy creates a smart and efficient energy grid — helping to reduce the demand on traditional electricity sources and increasing energy security.
Health Benefits
When people switch to green and solar, they can benefit from improved health as it lowers their exposure to pollutants from burning fossil fuels. One example is particulate matter — tiny particles of contaminants that may worsen asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions.
Unlike burning fossil fuels, solar power produces no air or water pollution. Green, renewable energy sources like solar power also help reduce ground-level ozone, contributing to various respiratory issues.
Overall, going solar has many health benefits that improve health and well-being. Learn more on solar energy information and start your way to going green.
Noise Reduction
Going green and switching to solar is an eco-friendly option that helps reduce noise pollution. Solar energy significantly reduces noise emissions that come with traditional energy sources. Solar energy relies on photovoltaic panels that absorb energy from the sun, transferring it into electrical energy for homes and businesses.
Unlike pollution-causing energy sources like coal plants, solar energy requires no combustion or engine noise. The installation process of solar energy is also quiet. It generates minimal disruption to nearby resources such as gardens, forests, or birds. Solar panels are color matched to the environment and other building materials making them undetectable.
This helps ensure the reduction of noise pollution in residential and commercial areas. The benefits of going green and switching to solar are clear. Not only does it help reduce CO2 emissions and costs, but it also plays a role in noise pollution reduction.
Going Green With Solar Energy
Going green and switching to solar brings a plethora of benefits. It is good for the environment, economically beneficial, and good for the health of all. We should all take small steps in order to ensure a cleaner and healthier planet.
Go green and take advantage of all the benefits of solar.
Browse our blog for more articles like this. You’ll learn how to squeeze every drop of savings out of your energy costs to offset the high upfront costs of installing solar.
