In almost every part of the world, electrical power is necessary to meet the most basic of human needs. Safety, comfort, lighting, cooking, communications, transportation and the critical production that sustains our economies all rely on electrical energy. The technologies presently utilized in the production of electrical power include hydro power, nuclear power, natural gas, oil, coal, and renewable energies including solar and wind power. The purpose of this article is to provide some solid facts about utilities, along with a comparative overview of solar power verses traditional energy sources.
Fact 1: The Average Two-Person Home Emits Approximately 20 Metric Tons of Carbon Pollution
Utility companies get most of their electrical energy from coal-fired power plants. It's estimated that combustion of fossil fuels release almost 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide and other toxic gases into the atmosphere annually. This means that tapping electric power from the grid makes you a contributor to the exceedingly high levels of harmful gases in the air that we breathe.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an average 2-person home releases about 20 metric tons of carbon pollution every year. In comparison, solar emits very minimal amount of carbon pollution, approximately to 3.4 tons. Therefore, making the switch from grid electricity to solar power can help to reduce the amount of carbon pollution in the air significantly.
Fact 2: The Demand for Solar Power Is at An All Time High
One thing that you can expect utility companies to tell you is that solar is just but a passing trend. Nevertheless, the numbers tell a completely different story. Of course, they cannot tell the truth – that the demand for solar energy is booming.
Solar power is currently a 50-state market, with the United States currently being home to over 1.3 million solar installations. This figure is anticipated to rise in future. If these statistics are anything to go by, then it's right to say that the solar trend is here to stay.
Fact 3: The Cost of Going Solar Is Decreasing
Most people who are yet to make the switch from traditional sources of energy to solar energy base their hesitation on the notion that going solar is highly expensive. What most of them do not know is that the cost of going solar is rapidly decreasing.
According to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency, the cost of renewable energy is decreasing so rapidly that it should be a constantly cheaper source of electrical power than traditional fossil fuels in a few years to come. If you purchase a solar system and pay back with electricity savings, you’ll eventually get to the point where your solar system basically pays for itself after a few years.
IRENA further estimates renewable energy, which comprises of solar power and offshore wind, should cost in a range of $0.06-$0.10 per Kwh by 2020 to 2022. This goes to show that switching to these renewable sources of energy for the production of electrical power is not simply an environmentally-conscious resolution, but it is now an overpoweringly a smart economic one.
Fact 4: Updating to Solar Won’t Necessarily Render Your Current strong>
Unlike smart phones that become obsolete in a year or less, solar panels are timeless. While it is true that the solar industry is fast evolving in terms of design and efficacy, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your current system will not work optimally. Regardless of the many updates solar panels will receive in the coming years, your solar panel will continue to generate electrical power throughout its lifespan. So, you’ll not only protect yourself from the ever rising costs of traditional energy sources, but you’ll continue to create your own clean power for many years to come.
Fact 5: Solar Works Within HOAs In Many States
If you’re living in a planned development, there’s a high probability that there is a Homeowners Association (HOA) keeping an eye on all home improvement projects that take place in the area. In the past, HOAs in almost every state had by-laws that forbid installation of solar panels.
Luckily, there are now solar access laws that safeguard a person’s rights to switch to solar. Almost half of all states have new HOA laws that allow condo owners to go solar. Under these new solar access laws, HOAs are prohibited from restricting solar installations. There are also solar easements that enable homeowners to make sure that their solar systems get adequate sunlight.
Fact 6: Solar Panels Don’t Need Direct Sunlight to Produce Electrical Power
Another misconception about solar systems is that they don’t work in bad weather. The truth is that solar power can work even in bad weather. Solar panels rely on daylight, thus do not necessarily need direct sunlight to generate electricity. Clouds cannot stop solar panels from absorbing the ultraviolet rays from the sun. Therefore, your solar system will work just fine even in foggy, cloudy or rainy weather.
New Jersey is a good example that demonstrates that solar panels do not need direct sunlight to generate solar power. Even though this state of New Jersey does not get as much sun as Arizona or California, it still ranks highly in solar energy generation.
Fact 7: Solar Energy Is Abundant, Renewable and Sustainable
One potential problem with electrical power sources such as fossil fuels is that they are not only hard to find, but that they can also be depleted. The uncertainty surrounding their fiscal use can lead to discrepancies that can cause far-reaching price changes, labor strikes, and at times war. This is nothing to worry about when it comes to solar power.
Solar power is incredibly abundant and no matter what we do, we cannot run out of solar energy as long as the sun still rises. According to NASA, the sun will still be here in the next 6.5 billion years. The fact that the sun is abundant and renewable means that solar power is also sustainable. This means that this continuous source of energy concurrently meets our current energy needs without compromising our future energy needs. In other words, solar power cannot be over consumed.
Fact 8: Solar Systems Are Easy to Maintain
Maintenance is key to maintaining a strong, efficient, and properly functioning electrical system. With the purchase of solar panels, consumers are in luck. This is because solar panels require pretty low maintenance. They are nothing like generators, which consist of moving components that require replacement or repair. Furthermore, solar panels are not susceptible to breakdown or rust.
Fact 9: Solar Has A Plethora of Applications
The mounting interest in solar power is not only evident on roofs, but it is also apparent through inventive ideas to power up almost every aspect of our lives. The major applications of solar energy include:
- Solar heating of buildings
- Solar water heating
- Solar cooking
- Solar furnaces
- Solar distillation
- Solar pumping
- Solar green houses
- Solar drying of agricultural and animal products
While solar energy can be categorized in two ways – in the form of light and heat – we can also use it in many other ingenious ways. Some of the solar power applications that have lit up the tech world include:
- Solar impulse plane: A solar-powered plane consisting of at least 12,000 solar panels can fly using sunlight alone.
- Solar tunnel: In Belgium, there’s a 2.2 mile-long tunnel that’s fitted with at least 16,000 solar panels that generate over 3,000 megawatt-hours of electric power annually.
- Solar stadium: Taiwan boosts the world’s largest solar-powered stadium known as the World Games Stadium. The stadium has a 14,1555m squared roof that’s covered with 8,844 solar panels that generate about 4.155 gigawatt hours of electric power annually.
Why You Need Professional Solar Installation
If you’ve decided to switch to solar, hiring a professional to install solar panels is the most sensible thing to do. For most people looking for solar installation services in Sonoma, CA, Sun Solar Electric is the go-to place. The following are the reasons why you should join the long list of satisfied customers that have chosen us to perform professional solar installation:
- Unparalleled expertise
Many states require solar installers to obtain licensure and maintain preset qualifications to perform solar panel installations. Some intricate tasks, such as Main Service Solar Panel Upgrades must be carried out by a licensed electrician. This is to ensure that the professionals that perform this task are highly qualified to do handle it expertly.
Sun Solar Electric has an electrical license, which means that it not only meets this important requirement, but that it has what it takes to perform solar installations effectively. Actually, we are often requested by our peers in the solar industry to carry out the electrical aspects of their solar installations. By hiring us, you can feel more confident knowing that you’re using a professional company that’s not only licensed, but also has unparalleled expertise to do exemplary work.
- Proven experience
Even with plenty of online tutorials for solar panel installations, a do-it-yourself may still need to be conversant with electrical and construction work to suitably install a home solar system. If you are not familiar with this entire intricate process, it could take you a lot of time and effort to accomplish the task. Hiring a professional solar installation company is the way to go if you want the installation process to be swift and excellent.
At Sun Solar Electric, we have many years of experience that enables us to perform everything electrical under the sun. We have had the chance to work for State, Municipal, large business projects, homes of all sizes, vineyards, farms, RVs and many more. The attention and acumen we’ve given all the notable projects we’ve ever handled is the same that we will bring to your project.
- Higher-quality materials and warranties
When you hire a professional solar installation company, you’re paying for higher quality in most cases. Professional solar panel installers usually purchase equipment from distributors that don’t often sell to the generic public. This means that they have access to higher-quality solar panels and supplies that you can’t get around.
At Sun Solar Electric, we make use of proprietary solar panel technology that by far outpaces market standards. Besides working closely with manufacturers that make use of cutting-edge technologies, we also keep ourselves updated with the current technologies and trends in the solar industry. This is to ensure that our esteemed customers get access to the very best products and designed available on the market.
We take pride in being an installer of home automation systems by Homeworks from Lucron, which is the same company that lights notable places such as the White House, the Statue of Liberty, the Guggenheim Museum, etc. We can bring this technology right to your home. Furthermore, we provide warranties on our work, so any repairs you may need in the future may be covered.
More Reasons to Hire Sun Solar Electric
On the rare chance that the above reasons haven’t galvanized you into going for our service, there are various other reasons that will. One of them is customer testimonials. Judging by the positive testimonials on our site, it is safe to say that we will meet, and possibly surpass, your expectations by far.
Another reason to hire Sun Solar Electric is our competitive rates. We believe that solar should be affordable for everyone, which is why we present various payment options to fit different budgets. Depending on your budget, we’ll help you better decide which solar system makes sense for your situation.
Finding Solar Services Near Me
Ready to make a switch to this more cost-effective, eco-friendly, renewable and sustainable electrical power option? Sun Solar Electric, which proudly serves Sonoma, CA and the surrounding counties of SF Bay Area, will help you with this crucial transition. Call our solar power company today at 707-658-2157 for more information, or visit other areas of our website.