The Gifts of Going Solar

Solar has been a major part of transforming the world into a healthier and more sustainable place to call home. Each year, the positive benefits of solar energy add up. From environmental to economic, solar energy use has lasting effects that keep on giving all year round. This holiday season, take a look at what solar energy gifts to us all! 

 
Cleaner Air
Solar energy has a significantly smaller carbon footprint than fossil fuels. Coal power and other fossil fuels create a lot of pollution, which leads to health and environmental risks. During coal power production, pollutants are released into the air, contributing to many health issues like asthma, cancer, and heart/lung ailments. If 1.9 billion trees were planted, that would equal the amount of carbon emissions reduced by the solar industry as of 2018. Switching to solar helps decrease the harmful effects of carbon emissions. Solar energy does not produce any carbon emissions outside of those created during manufacturing, whereas coal produces CO2 emissions throughout production and use. The gift of clean air lasts for generations, and switching to solar today will ensure a cleaner environment tomorrow!
 
Lower Energy Costs
People often focus on their individual savings when it comes to solar. However, there are underlying economic savings that benefit people even if they do not have solar panels themselves. The cost to produce solar is far cheaper than to produce coal. Solar costs about $50 per MW of electricity produced, and coal costs about $102 per MW. This is due largely in part to the low maintenance costs of solar panel systems. Once installed, they need little to no repairs, and using the sun as the source of power eliminates the cost of transporting the energy source. Since renewable energy is becoming cheaper than fossil fuels, total energy costs will decrease for everyone. If more utility companies increase their solar energy portfolios as this source of power becomes more affordable, it can lower overall energy costs for everyone.
 
Reliable Energy Use
Since the sun is regularly shining here in Arizona, solar panel systems can generate a lot of power. Even on cloudy days, solar panels can produce 10-25% of their normal output of a perfectly sunny day. Because there is little to no maintenance needed, the sun can provide the most reliable and consistent energy source possible. This reliability is multiplied when storage options like solar batteries are added to the equation. Rain or shine, solar panels can generate electricity 365 days a year!
 
Equitable Energy
Communities that never had electricity to begin with are gaining energy independence through the use of solar. Solar installation is possible nearly anywhere, even with little existing power infrastructure. Solar gives communities a chance to utilize an extremely efficient, ethical and clean energy source that is affordable and requires little maintenance. Through various efforts across the country and the world, many rural communities have been able to install and continually obtain electricity from solar generation.
 
Jobs for Tomorrow
Solar’s positive outcomes reach far and wide. With each new and existing project, jobs are added daily. As of 2018, the solar industry has added more jobs to the market than coal or oil industries, totaling 50% more than those two industries combined. In the past seven years, we have seen solar industry jobs increase by 168%. There is more information on the lasting impact this will have for the US energy market in this blog. As the world increases its use of solar, the job market will increase employing people in an industry that is innovative, reliable, and much healthier for those employees. That means solar is better for the environment, the economy, and the people.
 
As the use of solar grows, so do the positive benefits. If you or someone you know wants to start experiencing the benefits of ethical and efficient solar energy options, contact SunHarvest Solar today.