If I was a betting man, I’d say you are already using solar energy. It is in your fuel, your food, and in some form or another almost everything you do. In more practical terms, though, we are talking about heat and electricity. Why should we use solar energy systems to power our homes?
The answers to this question are simple. There is no other source of energy on the planet more reliable than solar energy. When is the last time you woke up in the morning and there was no Sun?
Equally important we must consider the cost of fuel. Solar energy passes this test, also, because it will cost you zero. Once the equipment is in place, the Sun will keep it going each and every day! Pure and simple.
Yes, it is true that solar energy systems are not the most efficient. But you will be using the lowest costing and most reliable fuel source on the planet. No monthly charges, and no swings in the markets. And most important for some us, we are covered when there are power outages, emergencies, and large storms.
Selecting the right solar energy system for your home can be challenging at the start. What are the best choices for your location? What should we consider when sizing the equipment? Is solar energy really right for me? Here are a few answers to guide the way.
If you live in locations with good amounts of sun, then your prospects for energy independence are good. In addition, you could be saving money and promoting a cleaner environment. The decision is not so difficult.
The more rainy and foggy your climate tends to be, and the more north you go, then the more difficult the prospects for using solar energy. A little more calculation and investigation may be needed.
The most simple and cost effective solar energy systems are designed for acquiring heat. They can be used for making hot water, storing thermal energy, among many other things. If your have cool Winters and lots of sun then you are a particularly good candidate for using passive solar heat.
When it comes to making electricity from solar energy, the answer will depend on many things. Truth be told, the combustion engines and furnaces at the local Utility are sometimes hard to beat.
If your household or business consumes lots of electricity then solar power is hard to justify. This is where local Utilities are good, they can kick out the juice for all the high power users and the heavy duty industries. But if you are simple in life and efficient in how you use energy, then the up-front cost of solar power can pay off over time. It could be as little as 5 years depending on the electrical rate of your local utility (i.e. California)
They will also pay themselves off if developing a new property and avoiding the installation of electrical transmission cables routed to your home. Depending on the distance, these transmission cable costs can be significant.
Emergency reserve energy systems are another potential benefit with solar energy. A person could charge a large bank of batteries and keep them on standby. When it comes to emergency reserve energy, for some of us the cost is no element. We just want to be covered in times of natural disaster.
Whatever your specific purpose, the reasons for using solar energy are many. Whether saving money, reducing pollution, or backing yourself up in case of emergency, installing a solar energy system can be a profitable and rewarding experience.
Walter Hull is a mechanical engineer with expertise in solar energy power systems. For a short time you can get his free report to solar energy from your own land.
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