Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available renewable energy on earth. Only a minuscule fraction of the available solar energy is used. the UK government has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing with the ‘feed-in tariffs’ scheme, by which individual households can benefit from subsidized solar panels. Let’s remind ourselves why solar power is so good.
1. By using solar photoelectric (PV) panels, you can save a third of electricity bill, based on a medium user of electricity (3,300 kWh/per year) using 50% of the solar electricity produced from a 2.5 kW solar system). More of it can be saved if the electricity thus produced is used carefully.
2. Solar panels if installed on the roof of your own house produce your own electricity and thus also reduce the rise in energy price.
3. Since solar energy is natural and free from sun, it replaces electricity produced by burning fossil fuels (like coal) and thus also reducing carbon footprint by 1 tonne per year.
4. Solar increases the value of your home. Britons would pay more for a home equipped with solar panels as surveyed by Energy Saving Trust in the UK. Half of those homes surveyed (49%) said they would like to know if their home is suitable for renewable energy.
5. Solar PV captures energy from the environment and so also works in locations like UK which don’t have a good weather.
And, thanks to a government-backed scheme with HomeSun, a fully installed solar PV system can be completely free of charge, with 25 years of free maintenance, and provide free electricity for your entire house. At last it makes financial sense to go green.
Via: thedailygreen
