As the United States continues to find alternative ways of producing energy, solar power is coming into prominence. Over the past decade or so, commercial and residential solar panels have considerably increased in popularity. Solar energy grew at an annual rate of 20% since 2000. The cost of solar energy technology (i.e. solar panels) has dropped about 100 times since 1977. In fact, the price has dropped by 50% since 2008! As Americans search for more ways to achieve energy efficiency for their homes and businesses, the future of solar energy installation services looks quite bright (no pun intended).
To better illustrate the benefits of solar energy, here are four reasons why Americans across the country are installing them:
- They’re Incredibly Dependable: Once installed, solar panels require little to no maintenance, especially if no batteries are used. Solar panels are able to provide electricity for as long as 40 years without being touched!
- Many Governments Offer Solar Panel Rebates: Because of solar panel’s budding popularity, local, state, and federal governments are offering rebates for installation. In Boston for example, the city will pay a third of Massachusetts’ solar rebate, which is about $2,800. That is a lot of money for many homeowners around Boston and around the country.
- They’re Eco-Friendly: Perhaps the most known fact about solar panels is that they are friendly to the environment. Solar panels produce absolutely no pollution, something that cannot be said of more conventional sources of energy such as coal, natural gas, and oil.
- They’re Improving the Economy: According to The Solar Foundation, more than 143,000 people were employed in the U.S. in 2013, a 20% increase from solar energy employment the previous year. More than 2,200 businesses provide solar panel installation services. In addition to protecting the environment and saving people money, solar panels are putting Americans to work — and in this struggling economy, the country needs all the help it can get.
For more information about solar panels and energy efficiency, feel free to leave a comment or question at the bottom.
