| There’s been a lot of valuable discussion about | | | | · When your neighbors have a power outage, |
| global warming and other environmental issues lately. If | | | | your lights will still be on. |
| you’re worried about the future of our green | | | | · As your energy needs grow, you can simply |
| planet, you may be wondering about the viability of | | | | add more solar panels. |
| alternative energy sources in your own life. | | | | · Solar panels operate silently. |
| Let’s take a closer look at solar energy. | | | | · Solar energy systems require very little |
| Advantages: | | | | maintenance and last a long time. |
| · It’s renewable. There are times the | | | | · Technology for solar energy is constantly |
| sun is unavailable, like at night or on a cloudy day, but | | | | improving. |
| it’s always there somewhere, and we might as | | | | Disadvantages: |
| well use it! Current methods of energy storage take | | | | · Solar energy products can be very |
| care of the brief sun down times. We WILL run out of | | | | expensive. This is probably the primary disadvantage |
| oil eventually, so it is NOT viable in the long term. | | | | of solar energy. |
| · Solar energy will not pollute the earth with | | | | · You need a fairly large amount of space to |
| carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gases | | | | install the large panels to run an efficient solar energy |
| and emissions. It is a completely clean technology. | | | | system for your entire home. |
| · Solar energy can be harnessed to do all your | | | | · If you live in an area blocked by trees, other |
| daily energy-consuming chores – dry clothes, | | | | buildings, or just in a generally cloudy climate or area of |
| hear water, power attic fans, run small appliances, and | | | | high air pollution, you may need a backup to your solar |
| much more. In 1990 an aircraft powered solely by the | | | | system for those times when there is not enough sun |
| sun, crossed the United States. | | | | to generate all the energy necessary to meet your |
| · If you live in a very sunny area, like Arizona, | | | | needs. This is easily accomplished with backup |
| you’ll probably produce far more energy than | | | | batteries or connections to your local energy sources. |
| you need. In many cases, you can sell this excess to | | | | · Solar-powered cars are still not “up to |
| your local utility companies. | | | | speed,” so to speak. They move more slowly |
| · Energy from the sun is free. No more electric, | | | | than traditionally-fueled cars. |
| gas or oil bills! No more dependence on foreign (or | | | | If you believe that a cleaner earth means a better |
| even domestic!) sources who can raise their prices at | | | | future for our children, it’s time to take a look at |
| their whim. | | | | solar energy. Even if you can’t afford a |
| · You don’t even need to connect in to | | | | complete solar home right now, start small. Get some |
| your local power grid. | | | | solar landscaping lights or a solar attic fan. You can |
| · You can install solar energy in remote | | | | build it up gradually, reducing your energy bills a little at |
| locations. | | | | a time. |