There’s no question that energy prices continue to soar as the world uses up natural resources faster than they can be extracted and turned into fuel. This reliance on the burning of fossil fuels will no doubt lead to many problems down the road, not limited merely to rising prices but also to the environmental damage inflicted by the endless streams of exhaust created by these increasingly archaic means of energy generation. Now is a great time to think about how you can be part of the change towards sustainable and earth-friendly energy generation right in your own backyard.
What are the best methods of green energy for my home?
While there is no one-size-fits all solution for those looking to gain some energy independence, the fact of the matter is that solar energy is the best currently available alternative to fossil fuels for home use and consumption. The price of PV solar panels has been decreasing steadily over the past decade, and there are many tax benefits available both to homes and businesses that take the initiative in equipping their buildings with some manner of solar energy capturing capability.
Will I be able to run my entire home or business off this energy?
Again the answer to this will depend on your individual situation and energy consumption levels. Although the usual answer is that you won’t be able to, at least not while maintaining a reasonable budget for the installation of solar panels. The current technology and prices of that same technology make it much more feasible to merely augment your regular energy consumption off the grid with power provided by the sun.
What are some of the non-monetary benefits of solar power?
Because it is free and an inexhaustible resource, the most obvious benefit to sunlight is the fact that you are no longer directly contributing to the problem of overreliance on fossil fuels. You can also use solar energy for more than just power generation, there are many helpful guides for using it for everything from water heating to growing your own produce, all of which will help to reduce your reliance on the unsustainable and environmentally unfriendly practices that are so prevalent.
Are there any drawbacks to solar energy?
It’s true that solar power is one of the greatest ways to save money and the environment simultaneously, however, that is not to say that it is perfect. One drawback is the fact that the technology has not progressed to the point where it is a reasonable replacement for fossil fuels, although there are advances being made every day that make this less the case with each passing year. Another problem is the high cost of initial installation for many homes and business, although this is often offset at least somewhat by the tax credits and other incentives that can be taken advantage of by installing clean energy.
Lastly, one other drawback is the fact that it is difficult and costly to store the converted energy in batteries for use when the sun is not out, either at night or during bad weather. It can be done, but for the moment solar power is at its best on sunny clear days when there is a high level of power consumption that makes the additional electricity more valuable to the home or business owner at that moment in time.
Although it’s not a panacea, there is no reason at the moment not to look into employing solar power to cut down on your overall usage of fossil fuels for your household energy needs. And as the technology progresses, it is likely to become an ever increasing part of the nation’s energy generation portfolio, with an associated decrease in prices and increase in the quality and availability of service for those who were early adopters of the technology.
Author Bio
Sam Gerald is a staff writer for Do My Own Pest Control. When not writing about ways to protect the environment from harmful pesticides he is interested in helping homeowners save money and the environment through alternative energy sources.
