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 Humans have always found the benefit in harnessing the sun’s
power. Many people are surprised to know that homes all over the
United States
were using solar energy as far back as 1890. In that time, more than 30% of
homes in sunny places like
California,
Florida, and
Arizona
used solar water heaters. People found that solar heat was a huge improvement
over the dirty and cumbersome wood and coal burning stoves. It was also much
more affordable than the artificial gas made form coal which cost 10 times what
we pay for natural gas today. Electricity, where available, was even more cost
prohibitive. By 1920, it seemed solar energy was met for the masses with tens
of thousands of homes being outfitted with solar water heaters. Unfortunately, solar
energy took a back seat in popularity to oil and natural gas when large
deposits of fossil fuel were being discovered all over the Western US. With
this low cost fuel available, people turned to fossil fuel as an answer to
their needs.
Solar Energy, the Come Back
Kid
Americans are
becoming more aware of the total cost involved in their choice of energy consumption;
many are again turning to solar energy. There have been many advances and
improvements in solar technologies with the renewed interest, and it becoming
even more cost efficient than ever. Since solar energy can be converted into
other forms of energy such as heat and electricity, it is possible to use it in
home domestic applications such as heating homes, water, and generating
electrical energy.
The Advantages
The advantages to solar energy are huge.
- The
savings on electricity are substantial. The U.S. Department of Energy states that a homeowner can save up to $500 in a year
of operation.
- The price
of solar heating units is recoverable at the time of sale and it increases
property value considerably.
- Many
states, including
Arizona,
offer tax credits.
- Reduces
the consumption of fossil fuels and our dependence on other countries for
or energy needs.
- Promotes
a cleaner environment.
- Solar
heating can extend the season of use for pool applications by keeping it a
comfortable temperature year round.
- Places
like Southern California and
Arizona are extremely suited to solar power with a high number of sunny days.
Some Considerations
Though the solar panel units have gotten smaller and much
more attractive over the years, they still require space. The price of totally
converting a home may be cost prohibitive to do all at once, and it may be
necessary to do one application at a time.
Assessing Your Needs
There are many ways to implement solar energy into your home
and each has advantages. To ultimately make a decision, you must consider your
budget, site considerations, and how frequently the temperature gets below
freezing. It is important to consult a certified professional to help assess
your needs and all of the possibilities. There are some considerations that a
home owner may be unaware of, such as space and the requirements of a
particular application to achieve best results. A certified professional will
be aware of the variables to consider such as intermittent sunlight, and will
be able to maximize the use of any solar energy device.
Article brought by 10bestTuscon Team
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