Home Solar Power - Options for Every Residence

There are many reasons to consider solar energy solutions in the home today. Here are some of the main benefits of a clean energy system using solar and other renewable energy systems:

1. Solar energy is clean, safe, and benign. There are no emissions from a solar energy system.

2. Once installed, the energy from the sun is free.

3. The sun is a huge and unlimited source of energy.

4. Once the energy that goes into the panels' manufacture and installation is accounted for, a solar system is a "clean power plant." A PV system will generally "make back" the amount of energy used in its manufacture in 18 to 36 months. Thereafter, all energy produced will be net-positive over the system's typical 25- to 30-year lifespan.

5. Energy generated from solar systems replaces and offsets energy generated from fossil fuels.

6. CO2 Emissions: Roughly 50 percent of the electricity generated in the United States comes from burning coal, a heavy contributor to CO2 emissions and airborne pollutants. Using solar power reduces consumption of coal and, thus, also reduces greenhouse gases and airborne pollution.

7. Energy Security: Energy generated from clean-energy sources, such as solar, can help reduce a country's dependence on imported energy.

8. Energy security includes Price Security. The price of fossil fuels depends on many factors including: supply and demand, refinining and production capacities, extraction costs, energy monopolies, outdated regulation and geopolitical instability. Once a solar-energy system is installed, the cost of producing energy from that system remains constant, regardless of inflation and other price volatility. This fixed price of energy makes budgeting and forecasting easier, reducing economic uncertainty.

9. Energy Security also includes Energy Independence. Depending on the type of solar system used and specific installation, a clean-energy system can offer a degree of autonomy from the existing status quo of energy suppliers.

10. Energy Security can also mean (depending on system type) a Backup Energy supply in the event of a traditional grid power outage. Such a scenario was seen in California in 2001-2002, and in the Northeast in 2005. In addition to providing energy during large blackouts, PV systems produce a cushion in the event of more localized power outages.