Hopefully by now you know that we are pretty passionate about renewable energy. As part of our work as HVAC maintenance specialists we are always looking for new ways to power buildings that are less harmful to the environment. One of those methods is heat pumps, but they still require power to run, so alone they can reduce your carbon footprint, but not completely erase it. For that, you need to consider a renewable energy source – step up solar panels. Solar panels are great for both home use and businesses, and today we’re going to tell you why.
What Is Solar Energy?
Solar power is a type of energy harnessed from the power of the sun’s rays. There is no need to mine coal or oil, destroy natural landscapes or worry about shortages – it’s the greenest source of energy there is. Just like the wind, solar power is a virtually unlimited and inexhaustible fuel resource that does not require mining or gathering. And the best part is you can harness it yourself – all you need is the right equipment to become energy self-sufficient, and help save the environment too.
The solar panels you commonly see installed on the roofs of private homes or business properties are PV cells made from layers of semi-conducting material. This is usually silicon but could be other things. These cells are activated when light shines on them, creating a small electrical field across all the layers. The stronger the sunshine, the stronger the electrical field becomes, and the more electricity is produced. Dozens of these cells are often placed together to maximise effectiveness, sometimes powering entire homes in the height of summer.
The cells used in solar PV are measured in a unique way called kilowatts peak (kWp), which measures the rate of electricity generation in full direct sunlight during summer. In real-world terms – a 4kWp system can generate, on average, around 3,800 kilowatt hours of electricity every single year, which is roughly the same as a typical household’s electricity consumption. But the reason it is fast overtaking gas as the preferred power source is this – it is cheaper to produce and can save nearly 2 tonnes of CO2 from being pumped into the atmosphere every year.
Living Off-The-Grid
For most people, being able to fund their electricity bill using natural sunlight is a dream. It could save you hundreds of pounds over the course of a single year, and can come in handy in an emergency! But as well as the obvious benefits above, there are a few other great advantages to solar PV panels. While they might cost a little to install, the benefits vastly outweigh the drawbacks, and you will start seeing results quickly. Some of the benefits you will see from solar PV include:
Low Monthly Rates: Despite the initial cost, installing renewable energy will save you plenty on your monthly power bill. Anything you produce yourself will cut back on what you need to pay the power company, and if you produce more, you can sell it back for a profit!
Flexible Living: If you prefer wide open spaces, refreshing views of nature, or the peace of rural life to noisy, rude neighbours, you can benefit from renewable energy. Producing your own power will give you the freedom to live just about anywhere you want.
Positive Environmental Impact: Of course, the environmental impact of choosing renewable power is huge. By going off-grid, you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint and doing your bit to prevent climate change.
And the best part? All of those benefits apply to business premises as well as residential ones. So, if you own a business property, solar panels could be an incredibly good investment. Not to mention there are always grants available for businesses looking to install solar panels, working as an incentive to help reduce the Co2 emissions of our country. Just ask your local authorities what schemes they are running to find out how you could save money on the cost of installing solar panels.
At Bonus Eventus Maintenance, we’re really passionate about the environment. We’re always looking for ways to reduce the environmental impact of heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and passing that knowledge on to our clients. By advising our clients to combine solar panels and heat pump solutions, we hope to help you save money, and do your bit to save the planet. If you’d like to find out more, just get in touch with the team today to book your free consultation.