From fossil fuels to hydro, most energy begins with the sun. Solar panels harvest power directly from this incredible resource by converting photons into electricity. Solar panels can power an incredible range of energy applications.
Solar generation can provide power for a remote cabin and keep the lights on in the International Space Station, but solar isn’t just for providing remote power needs.
As solar panels have gone down in price, they’ve become a competitive energy option for homes and businesses. Aside from saving some green, going solar is one of the best ways consumers can green their energy consumption. Solar panels provide extensive environmental benefits, potentially eliminating dependence on carbon-emitting fossil fuels and improving air quality.
For these reasons, millions of homes and businesses have “gone solar.” Here are just a few exciting examples:
- A Rhode Island home installed a 9.5 kWh system in 2016. The array saves the homeowners $3,845 a year and will pay for itself by 2022.
- California’s Lake County Sanitation District installed nearly 9,500 solar panels in 2008 to power three sanitation facilities. The project is on track to save taxpayers $5 million over the system’s 20-year lifespan and provides enough power to decrease grid electricity loads from the plant by 90 percent.
- Vintage Wine Estates in California’s Napa Valley installed a 945 kWh solar system to provide $10 million in energy savings over 30 years.
Resource: https://www.aurorasolar.com/blog/how-do-solar-panels-work-everything-you-need-to-know/
