With the progression of global warming and the emergence of climate change, more and more people are becoming wary of using fossil fuels to fulfil their energy needs. Solar energy advantages have made them a popular solution to this issue.
Installing solar panels brings several benefits to homeowners. Resorting to solar energy systems to provide electricity allows homeowners to have lower electricity bills, and get power even during outages in their area. Additionally, a property with solar panels installed can rise in value.
Of course, there are disadvantages of solar energy too, but today we’ll focus more on the advantages of solar energy.
What Is Solar Energy?
Solar energy refers to electricity generated using sunlight. It was discovered in the mid-19th century by A.E Becquerel, a French physicist. This form of energy became commercially available over a century later.
Since then, solar power systems have witnessed a massive rise in popularity, especially as the ill effects of fossil fuels on the environment become more apparent.
It’s A Renewable Energy Source
One of the main benefits of solar energy is that it’s clean and sustainable. In turn, the adverse effect it has on the environment is much less potent than that of fossil fuels, making solar energy worth it from a simply environmental perspective, before even considering other solar energy pros.
Sources of power, such as natural gas and coal, need to be burned to create electricity. The combustion of fossil fuels is harmful to the environment due to the huge amount of greenhouse gases it emits. These emissions are the primary cause of air pollution and climate change.
Additionally, fossil fuels are non-renewable energy sources. They’ll eventually run out, and this scarcity is why such raw materials are constantly rising in price.
Using solar energy also allows us to avoid the water pollution caused by fossil fuels. Events such as oil spills have catastrophic effects on marine life, and these effects eventually cascade to affect humans.
Furthermore, solar energy’s mode of production doesn’t use up water because of how solar energy works. As a result, solar systems don’t contribute to the depletion of the planet’s water supply in the same way other energy systems might.
Creates Jobs
A less talked about advantage of solar energy is that it creates a lot of job opportunities.
To reap the benefits of solar power, you need to install solar panels. This installation often requires a professional to carry it out. As a result, jumping on the solar energy bandwagon creates additional jobs and improves your local community’s economy.
How Do Solar Panels Work?
You may be wondering how solar panels serve their function.
- Solar panels are able to convert the energy from sunlight into electricity thanks to the material they’re made of.
- A solar panel consists of three layers. It has photovoltaic cells enclosed between two semiconductor layers that are typically made of silicon.
- Due to the varying electrical properties of each layer, the photons that hit a solar panel when there’s sunlight present induce the creation of an electric field.
- This process generates an electric current and is called the photoelectric effect.
- The current that solar panels produce is in DC form. As a result, it needs to pass through an inverter and be converted into an AC current to be suitable for use in a household or office.
Benefits of Solar Panels
If you’re on the fence as to whether installing a solar system on your property is worth the investment, we’re here to tell you that it definitely is, as long as your property is suitable for a solar power system.
Here are some of the main advantages of solar panels:
Lower Energy Bills
With the significant rise in energy bills over the past few years, many people are searching for alternative ways to fulfil their electricity needs.
This is where solar panels come in. Solar panels are more cost-effective than the traditional grid, and this is becoming more true with the decreasing costs of installation.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, if your home is equipped with a 4.2 kW solar panel system, you can expect to pay £210 to £514 less in energy bills per year.
Not only that, but you can also make money with your solar panels. If your solar panel system produces more energy than you need to support your daily activities, you can export that excess electricity. This is part of the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), an initiative that pays you for sending excess electricity produced from solar back into the national grid. And all you need is solar energy storage in the form of a solar battery storage system, so when you generate electricity you can’t use, you can sell it for a small profit.
You Get Power Even During Outages
Another major perk of having residential solar energy systems installed is that you’re no longer dependent on the national grid for your electricity needs. Your home becomes self-sufficient in terms of energy. Therefore, even if there’s a power outage affecting the entire neighbourhood, your house will be among the few that are still lit.
They Raise the Value of Your Property
It’s no secret that property prices and living expenses have been trending upward. As a result, it’s always a good idea to take measures that boost your purchasing power and cost-efficiency.
In addition to the reduced energy bills you’ll get from solar panels that produce electricity for you and help save on your electricity bill, installing this energy solution in your home can actually raise the property value. In turn, this can pay dividends if you decide to sell your house one day.
Installing solar panels may not be the most aesthetically sound decision either. However, doing so can raise your home’s selling price anywhere between 4% and 14%.
Low Cost of Maintenance
The initial cost of installing solar panels on your property can at first seem high, but solar panels require very little maintenance and can very quickly start to pay you back with annual savings after the solar panel installation.
Once installation is complete, your solar panels will serve their function seamlessly without needing any maintenance for years to come. Of course, this is predicated on the condition that you regularly clean your solar panels and keep them free of any environmental factors that can shorten their lifespan.
A typical solar panel system will last for 25 years or more. Additionally, most manufacturers provide full-coverage, 25-year warranties with their products.
The absence of significant running costs associated with solar panels, along with the resulting reduced energy bills, makes solar panels an excellent investment in the long run.
Qualifies You For Tax Breaks
In an effort to encourage more people and businesses to adopt solar energy, the government has incentivised them via tax breaks.
If you’re a business owner, you can save a ton of cash in tax deductions when you invest in solar panels. More specifically, a company can trim up to 25p off its taxes for every £1 it spends on solar panels.
For individuals, the government has made it less expensive to install solar panels by reducing the VAT applicable to 0%. This measure is valid up until March 31st, 2027.
FAQs
1. Is solar power sustainable?
As long as the sun comes up every day, solar energy will be an option. It’s one of the primary renewable sources of energy available, along with wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric power.
As the planet’s fossil fuel reserves dwindle in the coming years, these energy sources will be the main solutions used to power the world.
2. Can you buy solar panels and install them yourself?
Purchasing solar panels and installing them by yourself is definitely an option. In fact, some manufacturers offer solar panels designed for DIY installation. However, taking this approach isn’t easy and can take up a lot of time.
Additionally, you can’t connect such solar panels to the national grid. That’s why relying on expert installers like ESE is a much better idea.
3. Do you need planning permission for solar panels?
There aren’t many solar energy disadvantages, but navigating the planning permission process could be one. Thankfully, if you’re planning on installing solar panel systems for energy production in a fairly standard home, you won’t need to seek permission because a solar panel solution comes under ‘Permitted Development’.
However, if you live in:
- a listed building
- a world heritage site
- an area of outstanding natural beauty
Then you will almost certainly need to get permission for your solar cells.
4. How long does installing solar panels take?
At ESE Group, we make sure our installations are quick and hassle-free. With that said, issues like more solar panels than standard, difficulty of wiring and hardware, and your location can extend how long it takes for your installation to be complete.
Generally, though, a few days will suffice.
How Can We at ESE Group Help?
ESE Group can help you join the solar energy wave in various ways. For starters, we offer 0% VAT installation, as well as extensive warranties to help put your mind at ease.
Additionally, we have a price match guarantee that’ll ensure that you’re getting the best deal on your solar panels.
Solar Panel Conclusions
If you’re looking for alternative energy sources to replace fossil fuels, look no further than solar power. This renewable energy source has many benefits, ranging from economic to environmental ones.
The advantages of solar panels include having to pay less in energy bills every year. They also offer increased self-sufficiency in terms of your home’s energy needs.
The low cost of maintenance for this technology and the fact that it can raise your property’s value are other reasons why it’s an excellent investment in the long run. Add to that the lower level of dependence you’ll have on the traditional electric grid, and you have a real winner on your hands. All in all, installing a solar power system in your home is an excellent idea!
