The use of solar energy is increasing throughout the UK and the rest of the world.
For both homeowners and businesses, there are a number of benefits that can be taken advantage of when opting for solar energy, including:
1. It is a renewable source which reduces emissions
Solar energy is a renewable source meaning that, unlike fossil fuels, they will never run out, they are in infinite supply. The sun also has the potential to meet the electricity demand for the whole world. When combined with the use of wind power generated electricity, there would potentially be enough energy to supply the world with electricity around 100 times.
This type of energy is clean; therefore, it produces no greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon emissions, whilst it generates the electricity we need. This reduces the amount of emissions that are released into the atmosphere, reducing the effects of climate change and global warming.
2. Protects the planet from unnecessary natural resource usage
In order to access fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, there needs to be large amounts of mining and drilling taking place. This causes increasing amounts of damage to our planet, including its many environments, ecosystems, and wildlife.
Solar steam generation lowers the demand for water to produce steam. Fossil fuel power plants use large amounts of water to produce the steam needed for their operations, whereas the use of solar energy decreases this demand significantly. This is also the case for other forms of business operations, as well as in our daily lives, as solar energy uses very little, if any water to produce the electricity or heat we need.
3. Solar energy can be harnessed in many climate
There are very few climates that are not suitable for solar energy generation. Extremely hot weather can lower the productivity of solar panels, however, in cold weather solar panels and solar thermal systems will carry on harnessing the sun’s rays. Cold weather that brings snow, even though it can cover the panels, can also be a positive, this is because as it melts it can clean any dust, dirt or debris off the panels increasing their productivity.
There can also be disruptions to productivity, due to cloudy weather or during the night. However, combining your solar energy system with a solar energy storage system, such as solar batteries, allows you to store any excess energy generated for future use, including during these periods of low productivity.
4. Low maintenance
As long as the owner of the solar energy system regularly cleans it, then there is little maintenance needed, especially for solar panels, as they have no moving parts that will eventually wear down and need replacing. Due to this there are also very low maintenance costs, if possible, solar panels can be cleaned by the owner, instead of hiring a professional. Although in certain cases, for safety reasons a professional should be hired.
5. It can lower your electricity bills
Generating your own energy, whether for home use or to power a business, can lower your electricity bills. This is due to the fact that you will become less dependent on the energy grid. Leaving you to rely on your own clean and renewable energy, instead of depending on electricity that suffers from unpredictable prices.
The UK Government also runs the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme that allows the owner (e.g., homeowner or business owner) of a renewable energy system, including solar energy systems, to feed any excess electricity they generate back into the electricity grid in exchange for payment. Which can help to lower your electricity bills further.
6. There is constant advancements
The technology created for harnessing and using solar energy is constantly being updated and upgraded. This means that solar energy technology is becoming both more accessible and affordable to a wider range of consumers.
With these advancements, also comes new green jobs that will increase economic growth. Whilst also helping the world to transition to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
