What are the Benefits of Going Solar?

Dec 11th 2023

As the solar industry improves panel technology, consumers are pressured to dump their old panels in favor of new, smaller, more efficient panels. According to IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency), the annual waste from solar photovoltaic cells could reach 78 million tons by 2050.

Solar is selling so well that it has started to outpace its own recycling capabilities. However, that shouldn’t deter you from choosing solar, as the problem is quickly becoming prioritized by local governments. There are many reasons solar makes sense - here are the top six reasons. 

Energy Independence

While the rest of the world’s countries struggle over their energy independence (or lack thereof), individual's can reach a level of energy independence on their own. Of course, buying a few solar panels won’t get you there, but it's the first paving stone in what will hopefully become a long walkway. 

The less you have to rely on your local grid, the better. Politics always start locally and energy companies tend to have monopolistic power over local jurisdictions. Without competition, they have no incentive to lower their prices.

You’re also beholden to the whims of the power company. If they decide they want to build a new facility in a neighboring county, you will cover the cost of that move through higher prices on your bill. 

Since they often have no local competition, there is no reason or incentive for the power company to focus on customer needs and wants. Unfortunately it doesn’t matter, you will pay your power bill or they will shut it off.

There’s no better feeling than freeing yourself from that vicious cycle and solar power is a step in that direction. 

Reduces Noise And Light Pollution

If you’ve never viewed the heavens through a telescope, you’re really missing out. But if you live in the city or the suburbs, don’t bother looking at much beyond the moon. Telescopes work by gathering light and when there’s a ton of light pollution in the area, it kills the whole thing.

Solar panels reduce that light pollution, which is also nice for the local wildlife. They also don’t make any noise as they go about gathering energy throughout the day. Since they have a pretty low profile, it's often difficult to tell—at least from a distance—that the solar panels aren’t your roof tiles.

Lower light and noise pollution are beneficial to birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and any other local wildlife in the trees and around your home. It's also good for the neighbors, as they won’t have to experience the constant, nauseating thrum of transformers operating near your house. 

Improves Grid Resiliency

Solar panels are “distributed assets.” That means they reduce strain on the local power grid and some of the energy overages can even be sold back to the power company. This reduces your bill and improves the efficiency of the local power grid.

Solar panels can affect other homes in your local community and more. This is especially true if you live in an area where the power grid is already under a good deal of strain and rolling blackouts are on the horizon.

Several grids are transitioning from older methods of energy production and consumption to newer, emissions-free methods. Installing solar panels on your roof will help bolster that transition, with fewer hiccups than would otherwise be experienced. 

Work Great With Electric Vehicles

While it's great to roll into the garage in a Hyundai Ionic 5 or a brand-new Tesla Model 3, they do have to be charged. If you aren’t using solar panels and you drive a lot, you will see an increase in your energy bill. 

It's just the nature of the beast—the more energy you consume, the more you’re going to pay, and the higher your contribution to the local strain on the electric grid. Fortunately, solar panels installed on your roof will help alleviate that, especially if you decide to install an EV charger in your home. 

Some EVs pretty much require you to install an EV charger and solar panels will also help to alleviate that short-term cost in long-term savings. 

Solar Technology Is Improving

While there is a drawback to this, the industry is working to get a grasp on it. In the meantime, solar panels are increasing in their capacity by .05% each year. 

That may not seem like much but keep in mind that solar has been around for a while now and just ten years ago, average efficiency was around 15%. Now it's over 20% and continually growing. 

Improvements in technology go hand-in-hand with a reduction in expenses as well. The longer the technology is out there, the cheaper it usually becomes, especially as manufacturers figure out faster and more efficient ways to make solar panels. 

Improves Property Value

While there will always be some people who just don’t like the look of solar panels covering their rooftop, the overall value of the property will increase. Most people appreciate lower power bills.

Your EPC rating plays a role in the value of your property. The higher your EPC rating, the likeliness that your property value will increase improves. Energy efficiency, especially now, while energy prices are skyrocketing, is a very attractive selling point. 

While some might hate the aesthetic of solar panels on the rooftop, they will be more than aware of the potential energy savings they can engage in each and every month. 

Conclusion

There you have it—the top 6 ways that solar power just makes sense. There are some drawbacks but as a burgeoning private and public technology, there are bound to be some. In the end, the benefits greatly outweigh these factors and, hopefully, the industry as a whole gets solar panel waste under control, benefitting all who use it.