Yash
When you generate electricity from solar, you get many benefits out of it.
And
It is not just your reduced electricity bill or the improved financial feasibility of the solar power system, you contribute something more to the environment.
Conventional sources of energy like coal and petroleum have some serious social, economic, and environmental impacts.
We are burning fossil fuels continuously to meet our never-ending energy needs.
And
its demand is increasing every year.
Why burning fossil fuels is a problem?
The burning of fossil fuels in addition to energy, release carbon emissions into the air.
This pollutes the environment and raises the average temperature of the earth.
Inhaling polluted air causes health problems among people.
And
burning of fossil fuels emits greenhouse gases such as CO2, and Methane that trap the sunlight, raising the average temperature of the earth.
This has a disastrous effect on our climate leading to severe droughts, frequent floods, and melting of glaciers.
Climate change is a threat to humankind and our nature.
Read: What is Green Hydrogen Technology?
We must look for an alternate energy source that is clean, affordable, and reliable.
And
Solar Electricity fits in this category as it offers several benefits over fossil fuels.
Solar electricity not only cuts carbon footprints but also provides an attractive return.
Let us discuss the benefits of Solar Electricity:
1. Sunlight is free to all
Sunlight has no boundaries, anyone can install a solar power system on the roof and capture sunlight through solar panels.
The right system design based on your energy needs lets you enjoy solar electricity for decades.
And
the solar panel is one of the most important components of any system.
Let me give you a few tips for choosing the right solar panel:
- Use highly efficient solar panels when you have space constraints because they produce more power in the limited space.
- People living in a hot climate, go for solar panels with a low-temperature coefficient of power.
- In wet and humid climates, corrosion is a common problem. Therefore, purchasing salt and mist resistance (IEC-61701) solar panels would be the right choice.
- For extreme weather conditions like heavy snow or high wind pressure, look at the strength (snow load and wind load rating) of the solar panels.
- Always go for long warranties solar panels when you want peace of mind for decades.
These tips will help you choose the right solar panel that will absorb the free sunlight and runs your electrical appliances.
2. Solar electricity is a clean source of energy
The solar panels absorb sunlight and produce an electric current.
And
this conversion process is clean that has no harmful impact on the surroundings.
When you chose solar electricity, you help in checking the carbon emissions and contribute towards preserving the environment.
3. It is a renewable source of energy
One thing that we learned just now is that sunlight is free to all.
Another, it is limitless and renewable.
Our sun is a mid-size star that is 5 billion years old and it is going to shine for another 4-5 billion years.
Whereas conventional energy sources like coal and petroleum are non-renewable that are depleting at a fast rate.
And
if we don’t switch our energy demands to solar electricity, we’ll see these fossil fuels becoming scarce in the coming decades.
4. Solar electricity makes you independent
It makes you energy independent.
Because you generate your own electricity and don’t need to pay for it.
In addition, the solar panels that we use in solar power systems are very durable and have lived for over 25 years.
It means that you are going to generate solar electricity for decades.
5. Government subsidies and incentives
Governments of many countries offer monetary incentives (subsidies) to those who install solar power systems on their roof and generate solar electricity.
This monetary incentive (usually 20% -30% of the cost of the system), makes the system financially more attractive and feasible.
Let me clear one thing, solar electricity is still attractive and offers a good return even without subsidy.
Subsidy further makes it one of the best energy investment options for your retirement.
6. Reduced electricity bill
We all know that grid prices are rising.
And we are paying more every year for the same units consumed.
If I pay Rs. 6.6 for 1 unit consumed today.
Looking at the chart above, I would be paying Rs. 45 in the 25th year for the same unit consumed today.
When you use solar electricity to meet your daytime energy needs, you are saving money and reducing your electricity bill.
For example, a 5 kW solar power system in good sunlight generates 20 units daily.
After considering the initial cost, maintenance cost, and the losses in the solar power system, these 20 solar units are still cheaper than the grid electricity.
Grid Price/unit – Solar Price/unit = Your savings
And
your solar power system will save you 25 years.
7. Solar electricity is becoming economical day by day
Thanks to our solar scientists and engineers, solar PV technology is improving with every passing year.
Now you can see the latest technologies in solar panels such as half-cut solar cell technology, Mono-PERC, bi-facial solar panels, etc.
Together, they improve the efficiency of the solar panel by boosting the power and reducing the losses.
Moreover, these technologically advanced solar panels are available in the market at affordable rates.
Advanced technology at an affordable rate is a great combination for homeowners to get an attractive return from the solar power system.
This makes solar a great option for retirement.
8. This energy source is mobile
The complete solar power system is very mobile because,
One can dismantle the solar panels at their existing location and can re-install them at any place with good sunlight.
We can see solar panels easily produce electricity in remote places that are beyond the reach of grid electricity.
As it is not financially feasible with the grid (towers, wiring, labor, etc will make it costlier).
Thanks to our Sun,
its light reaches everywhere on the earth in 8 minutes and 20 seconds, irrespective of the geographical terrain.
Therefore, you can take your solar panels anywhere and can use them:
- for running your boat
- running electrical appliances in your RV
or
- enjoying smooth electricity in the remote location
On weighing the benefits of solar energy as compared to the grid supply, it is clear that solar energy is an optimum way of producing electricity.
The potential to harness solar energy exists everywhere on the earth because the sun shines everywhere.
Conclusion
The benefits of solar electricity are innumerable, let me summarize the one we discussed in this post:
- The source of electricity is free.
- It is clean and environmentally friendly.
- You save more and it offers an attractive return.
- Government offers subsidies on the purchase of solar power systems, making it a more attractive investment.
- You become energy independent and generate your electricity.
- You can use solar electricity almost everywhere.
- Solar PV technology is improving continuously and we’ll see more advanced solar panels in the future.
I am sure, all the above benefits make you use solar electricity now.
Thank you
Yash:)
