Going SOLAR!

You may know that solar power is one of the most popular — and one of the fastest growing — sources of renewable energy, but how much do you really know about this alternative power source?

Whether you are considering converting your own home or business to solar energy or just want to learn more about it, check out these fun fads about solar power. Some of these fads may be familiar to you already, while others may come as quite a surprise.

Some airplanes are powered by nothing but the sun. The Impulse airplane is just one example of a totally solar powered plane. Incredibly, these planes can even fly at night. They use solar technology to draw energy from the sin during the day and release It after the sun goes down.

Going Green

Adding solar panels to your home can increase its value and make the property more attractive to potential buyers Many buyers are looking for ways to go green, and they know that a solar powered home should have lower utility bills and greater energy efficiency. You may be able to rent solar panels instead of buying them outright. Many states now allow homeowners to lease solar panels and benefit from the immediate energy savings.

There are tax incentives available to homeowners who choose to go solar. Many states also provide incentives for homeowners who Install solar panels and other green energy technology. Interest in solar energy has increased in recent years Even so, solar energy still accounts for only a small percentage of all energy production.

Solar power can be successful even in places without abundant sunshine Germany, for instance, is one of the largest producers of solar power in the world. Germany has been able to accomplish that goal — even though the county receives a relatively small amount of sunlight.

The sunlight falling on the Sahara desert is a rich source of potential solar power. If there were a way to outfit the entire desert with solar arrays the resulting energy could supply the world’s needs for more than 30 years Solar technology has been around for hundreds of years. In fact, the artist and inventor Leonardo DaVinci developed a way to boil water using the power of the sun.

Demand Vs Supply

The increased demand for solar power, coupled with more government investment, has reduced the cost of solar panels. Further investment by governments and businesses could further reduce the cost of going solar.

Every kilowatt of solar energy produces the equivalent of taking 300 pounds of carbon or rt of the environment. That is why many solar proponents look to the sun as a way to reduce global warming. Many European countries allow those who have installed solar panels to sell the excess energy back to the power grid. Selling that excess power helps others power their homes, while further reducing the energy costs of those solar adopters.

There is no question that solar power systems can provide many benefits. Installing a home solar system allows home owners to take advantage of free and sustainable energy from the sun. It may also increase the value of a home and even enable owners of these systems to sell excess energy back to the utility company. When there are so many obvious reasons to take advantage of solar energy, you might wonder why everybody doesn’t install a solar system.

How much do Home Solar Systems Cost?

The main problem Is that these systems are currently very expensive to Install. According to Boston Solar, a solar energy system provider, a typical system that could provide energy for their average customer costs about $20,000. However, your real cost should not be that high, Federal and state renewable energy tax incentives might reduce the actual cost in the form of tax credits. In addition, some states waive Imposing additional property tax on the value of home solar power systems. You can Increase the market value of your home without being taxed extra for it.

Tax credits and other government Incentives change periodically, but you can find an updated database on many websites. Many other countries maintain similar databases on their own local energy-related websites.

Payoffs

You cannot expect to recoup your Investment for several years If you can save an average of $200 a month on your energy bills, a $20,000 system still takes over eight years to pay for itself. If you don’t spend $200 a month on energy, your payoff will take longer. If you can take advantage of tax advantages and the ability to sell power back to the grid, the payoff time might be reduced considerably. Of course, solar power systems do require maintenance and cleaning, so there maybe additional costs In the coming years. -

Still, good solar systems might be expected to last for decades so over time home owners should enjoy a return on their investment.

Is Solar Power a Good Investment?

The best way to think about the cost of solar power systems Is to compare it to pre-paying for the next several years of energy at a reduce cost. Boston Solar calculates that a typical system can save one household about $30,000 In utility bills over three decades. After subtracting the cost of installation and adding in typical tax Incentives, the total savings are estimated to be about $14,000 over that same 30 years. The value of solar energy systems is real, but it has to be considered a long-term investment.

If you add the consideration of your eventual savings to the fact you will be increasing your home’s market value, home solar energy systems might be a good Investment in the future. Of course, you will also be reducing your house’s carbon footprint and investing in clean and sustainable energy. In other words, you will be investing in the future. In the years to come, that might be priceless.