Solar energy generation can be an extraordinarily satisfying experience, but what is it that makes it so satisfying?
1. An Investment in Our Future
Of course, one of the most satisfying things about solar power generation is that it is an investment in the future of our planet. Switching to clean energy sources reduces our reliance on fossil fuels and cuts down greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change.
If every household shifts to clean energy, we could begin to make some progress in reversing some of the damage we have already done to our planet. The commitment is significant, though and researchers suggest that we only have until 2050 to eliminate our production of greenhouse gasses.
2. Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
While it is great knowing that you are making a difference to our planet for generations to come, it is also motivating to be able to reduce our personal carbon footprint.
Each of us has a carbon footprint defined by how much greenhouse gas we produce in terms of CO2 units. For example, someone who drives a car to work has a larger carbon footprint than someone who drives an electric vehicle. Someone who drives an electric car has a larger carbon footprint than someone walks to work.
Reducing our personal carbon footprint feels like a significant personal accomplishment!
3. It Is a Healthier Energy Alternative
We have already established that current energy sources are destroying our planet, but they are also doing a lot of damage to our health, too. As we continue to rely on fossil fuels and produce greenhouse gasses, we pollute the air we breathe.
As air pollution increases, certain health conditions become more prevalent. For example, breathing conditions like asthma worsen. Additionally, many cancers have a link to the toxic fumes we create by burning fossil fuels.
Turning to clean energy sources like solar energy reduces our reliance on fossil fuels and cuts down the amount of toxic fumes we release into the air we breathe!
4. It Increases the Value of Your Home
Anything that increases the value of a home is a benefit, and installing solar panels certainly adds to a home’s resale value. Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have found that every dollar a homeowner saves by using solar energy equals an additional twenty dollars on their home resale value.
5. Net Metering
Lastly, net metering is a very satisfying aspect of solar energy generation.
When a homeowner installs solar energy panels, they may create more energy than they use. The homeowner can then add that energy to the power grid – essentially selling it to the energy company. This process is referred to as net metering because the home produces more energy than it uses.
Conclusion
Converting to solar energy can be a very gratifying decision in more ways than one. No matter what draws you to solar energy generation, it is a step worth taking for the health of our families and our planet.