Updated: Sep 26, 2023
Solar power is inclusive of a variety of benefits for both the environment and yourself individually, this blog will demonstrate six ways solar power can be highly beneficial as an energy source!
1. Solar power as eco heating
Since solar energy is a renewable resource, you can always consume more. Solar power is clean energy. It doesn’t produce any “greenhouse” gases that trap heat, such as carbon dioxide. It prevents environmental harm from drilling or mining for fossil fuels. In contrast to power facilities that utilise steam turbines to produce electricity, solar energy needs little or no water. Due to its use of renewable energy and absence of emissions when operating, solar power reduces the amount of energy you draw from the grid. Since solar electricity is ineffective at night, people without installed solar batteries must still be linked to the National Grid to power their homes. Yet, it is still significantly lowering their reliance on the National Grid.
2. Sustainable Energy
Definition of sustainability
The capacity to guarantee that both present and future generations may fulfil their requirements without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs is referred to as sustainability in terms of resource management and being environmentally friendly. The use of resources and the preservation or improvement of their long-term availability must be carefully balanced.
A solar panel power source is infinite as long as the sun is there since energy from the sun is captured. This means the stress on limited resources, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which contribute to global warming, is lessened as a result. As it is using the sun as the energy source, it won’t run out (at least not for a few more billion years)! When we mine and use fossil fuels, we harm the environment since they are a finite source of energy. Utilising solar power reduces the number of households reliant on fossil fuels, which has a greater impact than you may imagine.
Contrary to non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels, which have a limited supply, solar energy is seen as a renewable resource. As the Earth’s population keeps increasing and uses more energy, there is more than enough solar power to meet all of the planet’s energy demands, making it a crucial part of efforts to halt climate change.
3. Solar power can lower your home’s electricity costs
There are many ways that solar power proves to be cost-effective, here are just a few
– Even in Scotland’s most remote regions, solar panels in the UK still receive enough sunshine to reduce your power cost by more than 50%.
– Your power expenditures will often be reduced by 62% with solar panels
– In an average of 12.9 years, solar panels will pay for themselves.
– Domestic solar panel installation will pay for itself in 12.9 years for the typical home.
– If you sell your house before you break even, you’ll typically get 0.9% to 2% more for it than you would without solar panels.
If your home falls under the bands E, F, or G, at UK Energy Management we implicate the eco4 scheme to enhance the property’s energy efficiency.
4. Low maintenance costs apply to solar panels.
Residential solar power systems that have just been built are typically anticipated to last 25 to 30 years before requiring any serious maintenance. The warranty is arguably the most significant factor contributing to solar power systems’ low maintenance requirements.
When thinking in terms of the mechanical engineering of solar panels it is more obvious as to why the solar panels have very low maintenance costs as there are few components which as a result means fewer things can go wrong with them. There aren’t many opportunities for things to go wrong. The only maintenance required is occasional hose washing to keep dirt from blocking the panels. When washing your solar panels keep in mind that too-cold water should be avoided, and you shouldn’t shower them at the hottest times of the day.
If you find washing down your solar energy too tricky as they’re too high up etc, professional solar panel cleaning services are offered if you’d rather avoid using a water hose. Even installing sprinkler systems made of solar panels on their rooftops is something some homeowners do.
Another way you can evaluate the low maintenance costs of solar panels is via the generous warranty different companies provide on average. Most solar power systems on the market now come with a manufacturer’s warranty, which frequently provides a 25-year or longer performance guarantee of 85%.
5. In any environment, solar energy may produce power.
In every climate, solar energy systems may produce power, however, differing weather can affect how much energy can be drawn.
Cloudy Weather
Unfortunately, the fact that there is less sunshine in the winter cancels out any advantages of lower temperatures. Many people won’t be surprised to find that the UK only receives 30% of the maximum amount of sunshine each year, with the winter months receiving the least amount. How much this reduces solar energy production might vary depending on the cloud density. Less sunlight will reach the solar panels as the cloud cover increases.
Even on days that are not quite clear and bright, solar cells will nevertheless manage to generate an astonishing quantity of power. Because solar cells can use both direct and diffuse light, this is true. Direct light is solar energy that comes directly from the sun to the earth, as opposed to diffuse light, which has been deflected by airborne particles like raindrops before it gets to the ground.
Snowy Climates
Snowfall may benefit your solar system since it cleans the panels as it melts and enhances the quantity of light reaching your panels by reflecting sunlight. More power is produced as a result.
Cold Days
Solar panels rely on the sun’s light, not its heat. In reality, solar cells work best in colder environments, just like the majority of electrical appliances. Contrary to popular belief, excessive heat might reduce the efficiency of the cells. Solar cells will generate more energy on a cold, sunny day than they will on a hot, sunny day.
This results from the energy disparity between the photons from sunshine and the solar cell’s electrons. The amount of electricity generated increases with the energy difference between the two groups of particles. The difference between them is bigger in colder weather, which means that when the cell is illuminated by light, more power is produced inside the cell.
6. Solar energy aids the economy
Looking upon both, national and international levels, financial investments in solar power generate two to three times as much employment as those in coal or gas, which has a huge positive impact on the economy. Additionally, it is a trustworthy supply because it is very difficult to privatise the sun.
Solar energy and net metering together really assist lessen the load on the nation’s electricity systems during peak hours, despite opposition from some utility firms. This holds even in emergencies like rolling blackouts and other natural disasters like the California heat wave of 2020, where utility firms used energy storage and net-metered electricity to retake control of the system.
When energy consumption is at its peak, utility providers are less likely to be overburdened or overwhelmed because of net metered and stored energy. With government-funded schemes, you may find you’re eco3 eligible and this scheme is deployed by UK Energy Management!
7. Solar aid in emergencies
Natural catastrophes like earthquakes, storms, and floods may all interrupt the grid’s ability to deliver electricity. Fortunately, when conventional energy fails during emergencies, solar panels offer a strong backup. When other energy sources, such as fossil fuels, are not accessible, the sun can still supply the energy required to run solar panels.
At UK Energy Management we understand the importance of caring for the environment yet maintaining a cost-effective way to do so. This is why we implicate the eco4 scheme (which has recently replaced the eco3 scheme). To find out whether you may be eligible for the eco4 scheme please apply here. If you have any questions about the scheme or solar-powered energy for your homes in general contact us!
