From Guest Blogger Andrew Womble: Green Homes, Solar Power and Sustainable Living
It is becoming increasingly clear to many people that fossil energy cannot meet the demands of current global needs, let alone future sustainability. Fossil fuels are not renewable, and their reserves are getting depleted every day. In addition, the processes involved in extracting and using them pose both health and environmental hazards.
Many of those who have realized this fact are turning to alternative sources of energy, with solar power being at the forefront.
You don’t have to excavate the earth in search of solar energy and the sun provides more potental energy than the whole world needs. It is the most sustainable source of power that can be used in different ways. The most common method is the use of solar panels.
Busting Solar Panel Myths
While many people assume that installing solar panels is expensive, this is a misconception. Although it is true that the short-term cost of solar installation is relatively high, it leads to long-term benefits by lowering or eliminating energy bills and increasing the value of properties.
In some places, people who install grid-connected solar systems can supply the excess to utility companies. As a result, they earn some money and help the companies lower their carbon footprint by reducing their consumption of fossil fuel.
Installing solar panels does not take weeks or months as some fossil fuel consumers believe. If consumers use professional installers, the whole process takes less than five days. Only very large buildings require more time. Many modern home builders have the solar panels installed during construction.
Solar Power and the Environment
Burning coal and wood fills the atmosphere with carcinogenic particles that create health problems. In addition, destroying forests creates several complications, from eradicating animal habitat to interfering with the rainfall cycle.
Mining coals does not only put harmful particles into the air but also leads to runoff that pollutes freshwater sources. While transporting mined coal consumes massive quantites of gasoline.
The process of drilling for gas also causes freshwater pollution. Gas fracking has also been associated with increased earthquakes.
Solar panels eliminate all these harmful effects. While the process of manufacturing the panels requires energy, the positive gains they bring outweigh that consumption.
Solar power is the most efficient and environmentally friendly source of energy.
People have been using solar power in various ways since time immemorial. Solar panels and other modern devices help people make better use of this limitless source of clean energy. The method is sustainable and helps to counter the harmful effects of conventional energy sources.
