There are a lot of alternative renewable energy sources that you can use in your home. However, one of the most popular and probably one of the cheapest options nowadays is solar power, so that will be the thing that we will focus on in this article. Solar power has been an alternative power source option for a household for quite some time now. 

It has been around since the 1950s, but back then, it’s expensive, and it’s not really that trusted yet. Now, however, solar power has been proven viable, and with solar modules becoming cheaper and cheaper every year, many people are opting for solar-powered homes. 

But, what is solar power exactly, and how does it work?

What is Solar Power and How Does It Work?

Homeowners who opt to install photovoltaic power systems can enjoy many benefits that we will talk about in a second. However, these benefits come with proper maintenance and secure installation. Also, the magnitude of the benefits depends on each household, so you can’t talk about the benefits in detail unless you tried them yourself.

Photovoltaic or PV power systems, as mentioned earlier, have been around since the 1950s. However, due to the power modules being reduced significantly over the recent years, the interest and demand of it suddenly increased. The awareness of the environment and how solar power is a reliable and safer power source has also contributed to its popularity today.

If you’re wondering if your household can adopt solar power, there are some ways for you to compute this theory. However, the results can be misleading because a lot of factors are not included in the computation. But if you’re wondering about the cost of the whole thing, much of the costs are from the installation and maintenance. 

Then, what are the benefits of this clean energy to your home?

Increased Home Value

Solar panels are considered an upgrade by all homeowners, like how they see a renovated bathroom or kitchen. Not only that, but studies show that most people don’t mind a high price that much if the house is powered by solar energy. 

A study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory suggests that solar energy can increase the value of your house by more or less $15000. Although, of course, the pricing can change depending on the market value and market trends, a solar-powered house is still sought out more than a house that isn’t. And according to a recent survey, 63% of Millennials switched to clean energy or are looking to find a house that is powered by solar energy.

Solar Works Everywhere

The solar resource of the US is enormous, that just an hour of noontime sun is already equal to the electricity demand of the country for a whole year. Most of the places in the US have good solar resources making solar power a very viable means of power source for homeowners in the country. 

This is true even for the place that doesn’t have that much solar resource like Alaska and the places in the Pacific Northwest. These places have relatively low solar resources but can still enjoy the benefits of having widely developed solar PVs just like the other places with high solar resources.

It Reduces Your Carbon Footprint

Suppose you’re well-aware of humanity’s carbon footprint and how it contributes to climate change. In that case, opting for renewable energy sources like solar power should be a significant priority on your priority list. Each kWh of solar energy substantially reduces your carbon footprint significantly by reducing your carbon emissions and other pollutants like sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides.

So Should You Try Renewable Energy Sources?

The benefits of opting for renewable energy sources are apparent. Not only that, but there are actually a lot more alternative power sources for fossil fuels. Also, it’s essential to take note that renewable energy sources are theoretically infinite while fossil fuels are finite, and they are going down fast. And of course, not to mention the consequences that fossil fuels impose on our environment.

Of course, there are also other concerns regarding the prolonged use of fossil fuels. For example, continued reliance on oil and oil-producing countries can cause the economy unstable and politics chaotic. That said, governments worldwide are looking more into renewable energy sources to stop their reliance on oil. Equally, as an individual, we should also do the same to gain freedom from utility companies and save a lot of money.

With low maintenance and saving yourself a lot more money, there is no reason you should not opt for clean energy like solar power. Sure, they might be expensive, but the cost will eventually be compensated in the future.

Wrapping Up

Clean energy is the future. With the continued use of fossil fuels being finite and becoming less and less viable throughout the years, renewable energy is becoming a good option for the government and you. Renewable energy is less costly and has primarily low maintenance, so if you’re planning to switch to clean energy, you should do it.