Monday, February 27, 2012

The Advantages of Switching to Solar Power - Other

Up to 25 percent of global energy production could be solar by 2050. Learn why so many people are making the switch to solar power.

People across the United States and globally are making the change to solar power. A record number of people have completed a solar installation and are getting their power from an alternative energy source and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years. According to the International Energy Agency, solar power could represent up to 25 percent of global energy production by 2050.

So why are so many residences and commercial property owners making the switch to solar power? There are obvious environmental benefits to switching to solar power. As with other alternative energy sources such as wind power, solar energy is a renewable power source. This means that unlike with fossil fuels, there is no danger of it running out over time. But unlike wind power, solar energy can be harnessed directly at a site through a solar panel installation rather than needing to be collected and sent through a power grid.

Solar power is also starting to make sense for plenty of consumers. Breakthroughs in technology and advances in manufacturing have meant that prices for solar panel installations have dropped significantly in recent years. Consumers can also take advantage of generous federal, state and local tax incentives to switch to solar, helping to reduce the solar cost of transition. The latest solar panel innovations also mean that the technology is more efficient than ever, letting consumers generate more power with fewer cells and get power even on cloudy days.

In fact, in some places like California, switching to solar power can actually pay for itself. Net metering programs mean that energy companies in some areas will actually pay you back if you generate more solar power than you use. Some power utilities are getting into the act, installing solar panels on the roofs of factories and major retailers like Wal-Mart and then selling the energy generated back to the company at a reduced rate from that of the traditional power grid.


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