In recent years, solar has been on the rise. Businesses are increasingly recognizing the importance of going solar as both a sustainability initiative and a way to save on energy costs, while individuals view solar power as a strong investment that will help them save money in the long run. And ultimately, using solar power for your electricity needs helps the environment, an impact that is especially crucial in California, where widespread sunshine means that solar panels can bring in more energy than almost anywhere else. Before moving forward, it’s important to understand the answer to one question: what are the benefits of using solar power in California?
Lower energy costs.
Installing solar panels on your home or business involves a short-term cost, which includes purchasing the panels themselves as well as installing them and setting up the electrical wiring. However, in the long term, the solar panels will provide you with some or all of the electricity you need. Ultimately, this can significantly reduce or eliminate energy costs. In the long term, solar panels can actually prove to be a solid return on investment, saving you more money than you spent on them originally. This is especially true in California, where the sunny weather makes it much easier to obtain the majority of your energy from the sun. It is often easier to harness this energy in California than places that are more overcast or that have variable weather.
Invest in the future.
Studies show that not only are energy costs in the U.S. often higher than people can afford, but that they are actually rising. This means that in the future, purchasing electricity from large power companies can become financially unfeasible for many households. Solar panels, by contrast, eliminate this problem, because you don’t pay for your electricity once you have the solar panels installed. Instead, it is a one-time fixed cost. The only cost you may have over the long term is for maintenance, which is not likely to rise significantly over time. Furthermore, the cost of solar panels is actually decreasing. This means right now, or in the near future, is the perfect time to buy solar panels, because for the first time in history they are within reach economically for many households.
Help the environment.
Everyone knows that solar panels help the environment. But few people understand exactly how big the environmental issue is, or why they should care. Electricity generated through coal or oil burning, or, to some extent, even through natural gas, releases carbon dioxide and other “greenhouse gases.” This creates an issue known as the “greenhouse gas effect,” which essentially blocks the sun’s rays from escaping the earth once they enter its atmosphere. Countless studies prove that greenhouse gas emissions have led to increased global temperatures, which will only continue to increase over the next few decades. Higher temperatures lead to melting ice caps, which in turn causes rising sea levels that can devastate coastlines in some areas and severe droughts that can cause widespread damage in others.
Show you care.
Why should people care? If you live near a coastline or in a drought-stricken area, both of which apply to the state of California, you will see the direct effects of global warming soon, if you haven’t already. However, you should also care because global warming is part of a larger problem, one that can affect people around the world. You have the chance to make a difference by choosing to generate your electricity through renewable sources, such as solar power, instead of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. Along with the impact on global temperatures, burning coal and oil also releases pollution and harmful fumes. This is an especially large problem in California metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles and the Bay Area. Solar energy, by contrast, is clean energy, which means that it releases no harmful fumes, thus improving air quality and ensuring that it is safer to breathe outdoors.
Build your business sustainability.
In today’s environmentally conscious age, customers don’t just care about your product and customer service anymore. It is growing increasingly important to demonstrate community outreach and sustainable practices in order to earn your customers’ loyalty. Converting to solar can be a great way, not only to make an impact through your business, but to promote your commitment to sustainability and thus target the growing demographic that cares about environmental issues. This ultimately increases your customer base and impacts your profits in the long term.
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