Solar panels have been seen on the homes of rooftops for decades, but it has only been in the last 20 years that they’ve been affordable to homeowners en masse. Early adopters had to buy expensive panels intended for installation on commercial buildings. Now that corporations as big as Kyocera and BP have tapped into the consumer market, more homeowners than ever can enjoy the benefits of residential solar panels. Here are three of the principal benefits.
Net Metering Credits
advantages of solar energy
Solar panels come in off-grid versions, for use in remote areas, and grid-tie systems, which are used in cities, connected to the utility grid. The Economic Policy Act of 2005 requires public utilities to offer a billing option known as net metering upon request. Net metering credits customers with grid-tie solar systems for any surplus electricity routed back into the grid–they are charged the “net” difference between the power they consume and the power they produce.
Renewable Energy Tax Credits
One of the biggest financial advantages of solar energy, also mandated by the Economic Policy Act, is a tax credit of up to 30% on qualifying renewable energy systems installed in the home. These can be photovoltaic solar panels, solar hot water panels, or wind turbines. Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the tax credit continues through December 31, 2016.
Energy without Emissions
While the manufacturing process requires that solar panel manufacturers product greenhouse emissions like carbon dioxide or sulphur dioxide in production, no further chemicals are released by solar panels once they’re on the market. The same cannot be said of conventional coal-burning and nuclear power plants, which continue to emit greenhouse gasses throughout their life cycle. While the main attraction of solar panels for many homeowners is economic, there is definitely an ethical satisfaction that comes from treading lightly on the environment.
Sunforce 39110 123-Watt High-Efficiency Polycrystalline Solar Panel with Sharp Module
- Advanced polycrystalline design is highly efficient and provides superior power output
- Maximum power output: 123 Watts/7.16 Amps
- Multiple panels can be connected together for even more power
- Easy to install and virtually maintenance-free
- 25-year warranty
SHARP polycrystalline 123W solar kit that can produce 7.16 amps. Kit comes complete with a male D/C plug, mounting bracket and screws, battery clamps, voltage tester, quick connectors, and extra wiring. Ideal for boats, RV, 12v battery charging, pumps, satellite dishes, and many other uses. Easy to install, weatherproof, and allows for connecting multiple panels for more power. Unit has a 25-year warranty.The Sunforce 39110 123-Watt High-Efficiency Polycrystalline Solar Panel Module will give you several more reasons to love the sun. It provides the power you need, while helping you save money and protect the environment. This panel is ideal for cabins, recreational vehicles, remote power, back-up power, and 12-Volt battery charging. This panel comes with compatible wiring, accessories and a voltage tester to help you start producing up to 123 Watts of clean, free power in all weather conditions.
Sunforce panels can be easily added to new or existing systems.
List Price: $ 899.99
Price:
Sunforce 50033 15-Watt Solar Charging Kit
- Amorphous solar charging kit provides up to 15-Watts of clean, free, renewable power
- Designed for RVs, cabins, homes, boats, back-up and remote power use, and more
- Weatherproof, durable solar panels can withstand impacts from hailstones travelling 50 miles-per-hour
- Includes one 15-Watt solar panel with a durable mounting frame, a 7-Amp solar charge controller, and a wiring kit with accessories for easy installation
- Built-in, ultra-bright blue LED charging indicator
Sunforce 15-Watt Solar Charging Kit includes 15 Watt Solar charging panel, pre cut holes for easy installation, 4 stainless steel screws, battery clamps, CLA adapter, wire and a 7 Amp charge controller. It converts the sun’s power to use for electrical needs with this solar back-up power kit. This charging kit is fabricated from durable ABS plastic with an amorphous solar cell. It features a solar panel that works in all weather conditions and the ultra bright blue LED light provides charging indication. This charging kit has a built in blocking diode to protect battery discharge at night.The Sunforce 50033 15-Watt Solar Charging Kit gives you several more reasons to love the sun. It provides the power you need, while helping you save money and protect the environment. This kit is ideal for cabins, recreational vehicles, remote power, back-up power, and 12-volt battery charging. It comes with everything you need to start producing up to 15 Watts/125mA of clean, free power in all weathe
List Price: $ 0.00
Price:
Sunforce 50048 60-Watt Solar Charging Kit
- Amorphous solar charging kit provides up to 60-Watts of clean, free, renewable power
- Designed for RVs, cabins, homes, boats, back-up and remote power use, and more
- Weatherproof, durable solar panels can withstand impacts from hailstones travelling 50 miles-per-hour
- Includes four 15-Watt solar panels with durable mounting frames, a 200-Watt power inverter, a 7-Amp solar charge controller, and a wiring kit with accessories for easy installation
- Built-in, ultra-bright blue LED charging indicator
The Sunforce 50048 60 Watt Solar Charging Kit gives you another reason to love the sun — it’ll help keep your batteries charged. This kit is excellent for cabins, remote power, back-up power, and 12-volt battery charging. The kit includes a PVC mounting frame, 7 Amp charge controller, 200-watt inverter, and wiring/connection cables. And with the built-in blocking diode technology, this charger kit is designed to protect against battery discharge at night. You can also use this kit to maintain the charge on any 12-volt battery for clean, silent operation of various electronics, such as deer feeders and landscaping pumps. The 50048 features a built-in ultra-bright blue LED charging indicator, and is a great choice for automobiles, recreational vehicles (RV), tractors, all terrain vehicles (ATV), boats, electric fences, telemetry and more, and it is even effective on cloudy days. This battery charger kit is made of durable ABS plastic and amorphous solar cells and has a maximum temperatu
List Price: $ 599.99
Price: