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