Advantages Of Solar Power: 4 Reasons You Should Invest
Solar power is a renewable energy phenomenon that has been sweeping the commercial, industrial, agricultural, and domestic sectors as of late and with the many advantages of solar power, it is easy to see why.
But for those who aren’t clued in on solar power, how it works, or why it is quickly becoming the norm for power generation – this article is designed for you. We’ll take a closer look at solar power, what it is, and why you should begin thinking about investing in it.
Let’s start with the following;
What Is Solar Power?
Solar power is the process by which electrical energy can be generated from sunlight; without getting into too much detail about the science behind why solar cells can generate power from sunlight using the photovoltaic effect.
Fun fact: solar cells can also be called photovoltaic cells.
The photovoltaic effect allows solar cells to capture different wavelengths of light and generate DC electricity. Even in cloudy weather, short wavelengths of light such as blue, violet, and ultraviolet can still be used by solar cells to generate electricity.
That being said, a sunny, clear day is always best for accessing the full visible spectrum of light for electricity generation – this includes longer wavelengths of light such as yellow, orange, and red.
What Is a Solar Power System?
A solar power system usually consists of a solar array, a battery or capacitor, and solar or voltage optimisers – all designed to provide you with electrical energy from sunlight.
A solar panel (as well as solar tiles) is a collection of solar cells connected in series, allowing for a larger quantity of DC electricity to be captured effectively. A solar array is a collection of solar panels connected in sequence for the same reason – it provides a large quantity of DC electricity.
This DC electricity is often stored in a battery or capacitor for use in the property or to sell to the national grid.
All solar power systems will come with an AC-to-DC converter to convert the DC electricity captured to AC electricity for use in the home or building.
Fun Fact: DC electricity stands for direct current electricity, and AC electricity stands for alternating current electricity.
Advantages of Solar Power
Now that we understand the basics of solar power, we need to discuss why it has been such a positive choice for so many across the globe.
Advantage #1: It Saves Money
Many homes and businesses are switching to solar power because it can save you money. Generating your DC electricity will enable you to reduce how much DC electricity you buy from the national grid for conversion into AC electricity in your home or business.
All appliances a home or business uses will likely use AC electricity.
Advantage #2: It Increases Property Value
With the housing market and overall economy not looking particularly strong, you’ll want a surefire way to invest in your current assets that will improve their value. Solar panels or any solar system (such as solar tiles) are a fantastic way to accomplish this.
With higher and higher electricity demands every year, having a way for your home or business to generate its electricity is a huge selling point that will attract a lot of buyers.
Note that solar panels can also be removed and taken with you if you move home (whereas solar tiles are a more permanent investment).
Advantage #3: It Makes You More Self Sufficient
Having a self-sufficient way of living is a goal for many but is rarely achievable, bar a few exceptions. If you don’t fancy living off the grid in a log cabin, then investing in a source of electricity that is solely your own is a great step for urban homes looking to be less reliant on national systems.
With most electric vehicle charging stations being compatible with solar technology, it is a great way to provide yourself with transport and renewable power without relying on national supplies.
Advantage #4: It Is Better For The Environment
Burning fossil fuels, to any capacity, was never going to last.
It harms the environment and ecosystems and is becoming increasingly more expensive to extract and prepare oil or other fuel sources for commercial markets. Sometimes you may need additional protection for your solar panel like birdproofing, pigeon guard, etc. You should consider buying from a reputed store if you need to.
Renewable energy sources are not only better for the environment but also a sustainable source of fuel for everything we could need. Making the switch will help you lower your carbon footprint and even contribute to a negative carbon footprint – all great things!
Conclusion
Solar power has many advantages for people from all walks of life. While there are disadvantages to be aware of (such as price and the environmental cost of production) – the pros massively outweigh the cons in many aspects.
What solar power system will you choose?
