Why Solar Energy is Worth It

Today I will be talking about one of the most basic subsets of sustainability: solar energy. Solar energy is harnessing the power of the sun to generate renewable electricity. When people think of renewable energy, the first thing that comes to mind is solar energy as they picture the large solar panels on the roofs of houses. Solar energy’s most prominent role is in sustainable housing. Hopefully this blog will give you some more information when considering the smart switch to solar power. 

As always, we are going to go into the numbers behind solar energy. Solar energy is a rapidly growing form of renewable energy in the United States. To be specific, the U.S. solar capacity has more than tripled over the last six years. The nationwide solar capacity reached nearly 136,000 megawatts as of 2022, enough to power around 24 million homes across the country. Solar energy is the ideal solution to power much of the country in a way that does not deplete our nonrenewable fossil fuels. Not only is it efficient, solar panels do not take up much space. In fact, only 22,000 square miles of solar panels are required to power all of the country. That is only the size of Lake Michigan in comparison to the area of the whole country. Solar energy is in growing demand especially since homes are exponentially consuming more energy. The EIA forecasts that homes in the U.S. would consume nearly 2,000 billion kilowatt-hours of energy by 2050, a number that solar energy could dramatically help cover. 

The most significant reason in favor of solar energy is its environmental friendliness. Conventional energy sources like fossil fuels are very harmful for the environment as they release greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere, furthering global warming and increasing our carbon footprint. Solar energy also prevents any GHGs that are associated with the mining and drilling of fossil fuels. Other renewable forms of energy, such as steam power, require water. Solar energy, on the other hand, does not require maintenance because it is completely dependent on the sun. Solar energy is one of the few energy sources that is inexhaustible. Solar power reduces the need for coal and gas extraction while also reducing water consumption, eliminating any possibilities of air or water pollution that is associated with traditional forms of energy. Lastly, when solar panels break down over time, they can be recycled and reused for other purposes as to not contribute to landfills. 

The largest complaint regarding the implementation of solar panels is their price. Although the initial investment into solar panels is quite hefty, the return on your investment is definitely worth it. A list of advantages include: 

• Freedom from utilities: A solar energy system on the house can reduce the home’s reliance on the grid especially during peak summer heat.
• Added revenue stream: The excess power can be sold back to utility companies
• Appreciation in home value: Installed solar panels can add to the value of the home by nearly $15,000 in energy bill savings as compared to their neighbors. Over time, the savings from the electricity bill can offset the price paid for the solar panels and can even increase savings. 
• Efficiency over time: Solar panels can also work efficiently for many decades so once they are installed, they do not have to be maintained/replaced. In fact, 40 year old solar panels exist today that still operate with 80% efficiency. 
• Tax credits: Some states as well the federal government currently provide incentives in the form of tax credits and rebates not just for the panels, but also for the storage batteries. With enhanced batteries, excess energy can be stored to reduce vulnerability to power outages or grid failures like we saw in Texas in 2021.
• Jobs: Installations (and maintenance and monitoring) across the country adds to local jobs and stability.

Solar energy is a transformative solution to residential environmental cleanliness. Government investments have historically driven down the cost of solar energy over the decades, but it is still out of reach for low income families, and that’s why educating and offering tools and credits to make it accessible across all sectors of the economy will be critical to boost accessibility. Governments (state and federal) should offer varying ranges of incentives across income groups to continue to bolster installations. Paying the price up front for solar panels, although initially scary, will prove to be a worthwhile long-term investment. Let’s all make the switch to solar energy!

Works Cited

Constellation. “The Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Energy.” http://www.constellation.com, 2023, http://www.constellation.com/energy-101/energy-innovation/solar-energy-pros-and-cons.html.

“Top Solar Energy Facts and Statistics of 2023.” MarketWatch, http://www.marketwatch.com/guides/home-improvement/solar-energy-statistics/.