Solar vs. other power sources- Facts speak louder than words
There are a number of renewable energy sources available. When shopping for home power generators, there is a bewildering array of options, and no one system is best for every household. With that in mind, a green electricity comparison can help take some of the legwork out of the decision making process.
Solar is one of the most common and well-known sources of green energy, and for good reason. While solar panels may appear to have higher upfront costs, they have shown to be more durable and reliable than other green energy options over the long term. In addition to this, solar energy systems have the following advantages:
- low maintenance - once installed, solar energy systems require only occasional inspections and minimal maintenance not like wind turbines which require ongoing maintenance
- no ongoing costs or inconvenient electricity bills - once installed, solar systems essentially work for free unlike Green Power
- efficient - Solar panels have efficiencies as high as 19%, meaning that much of the sun’s energy is converted into electricity. The energy efficiency of say Biomass is considerably lower
- completely clean – solar energy systems work silently and are emission free
- safe – requiring only minimal movement and working without combustible fuels, solar energy systems are exceptionally safe compared to other alternative energy sources.
A number of elements will influence what solar system you ultimately install e.g. the direction and orientation of your house and the amount of power your household needs. These types of elements will influence where you install your system, if you will use frames and what size panels you choose. The great thing is that no matter how much you produce, it won’t harm the environment and it needn’t go to waste - sell any unused power that your panels generate during the day back to your electricity provider at a rate that is usually considerably more than what you would pay.
Domestic solar- cutting costs and greening your home
It is a common assumption that greening a home is expensive. Not so with solar energy – in fact, solar energy allows you to save and make money while investing in an emission-free form of energy for the good of the environment.
With the introduction and growing importance of home energy ratings, there has never been a better time to invest in a system that will add ‘green value’ to your property.
To get the most from your solar power system, it is a good idea to replace power hungry appliances with alternative sources of energy. For instance, using an electric stove rather than a gas stove will triple and even quadruple the size of the system you require. As a proactive measure to decrease your energy use¸ you should consider replacing anything that uses over 1500 watts. In addition, simple things like turning off the light when you leave the room are intrinsically important to ensuring you are not wasting, but maximizing the use of your solar power.