The Earth’s average global temperature has risen by no less than 1.9° Fahrenheit since 1880. Moreover, nine out of the ten hottest years ever recorded occurred in the last decade alone.
If that trend continues, so will extreme weather events, including wildfires and floods. However, you can help combat that by knowing how to be eco-friendly with solar panels.
Don’t worry, as that’s what we’re here to teach you, so be sure to read on.
Install a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System
Solar photovoltaic is the most common renewable energy technology used by homeowners. Indeed, approximately 2.7 million of these systems were already in US homes in 2020.
By installing a home solar PV system, you can reduce or even eliminate electricity bills. In doing so, you also get to trim your home’s carbon footprint.
How Does It Work?
A solar photovoltaic system consists of panels that harness the sun’s light energy. Thus, you can expect a solar panel installation company to recommend a roof system. After all, fewer obstructions are up there, so more sunlight can hit the panels.
Once sunlight hits the panels, their semiconductors react to the sun’s PV effect. They then generate direct current (DC) electricity.
The DC electricity flows into an inverter, converting it to alternating current (AC). AC electricity is the type you can use to power your electronics at home.
How Is It Environmentally Friendly?
Burning fossil fuels for energy is the primary source of CO2 emissions. This practice is one of the chief reasons behind global warming and climate change. Moreover, the combustion process itself releases so many pollutants into the atmosphere.
A solar PV system is one of the best eco-friendly examples because it has a much lower carbon footprint. Experts even say they can eliminate 4.25 billion tons of carbon emissions per year this decade. To top it off, they don’t produce pollutants during their operation.
Add a Solar Thermal System
Solar thermal power is heat energy harnessed and produced from the sun’s radiation. It differs from PV since it uses the sun’s heat and not its light energy. However, power plants can also convert that heat energy into electricity.
How Does It Differ From PV?
Solar panels made to capture the sun’s heat are also available for home use. Solar thermal panels don’t generate DC electricity, though. Instead, they make up active solar thermal systems that produce indirect heat energy.
However, solar thermal energy brings environmental benefits similar to PV. After all, it also harnesses the sun’s renewable power.
How Can You Use It?
You can use a solar thermal energy system to heat your home or, at the very least, several rooms in it. That can help reduce the energy you use for space heating, which makes up about 40% of your home’s energy use.
Another of the top eco-friendly tips is to install a solar hot water system. It also uses panels that absorb the sun’s heat and, from there, transfer that warmth to your water. That can then cut your water heating energy use, lowering your carbon emissions and bills.
That’s How to Be Eco-Friendly With Solar
There you have it; how to be eco-friendly using solar panels. You now know that switching to solar can help reduce carbon and pollutant emissions. Besides, it can also help minimize or even eradicate your home energy bills.
So, consider investing in solar technologies ASAP. The sooner you do, the sooner you can do the environment and your wallet some good.
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