10 Reasons To Go Solar

So… you’ve been considering switching to solar power, but don’t exactly know where to start. Maybe you think you’ll be paying too much in maintenance, or you're concerned about the price tag, orrrr you just don't know how to go about it! The thing about going solar: it's more of an investment than a purchase! If you're still not sold on why exactly you should go solar, keep watching. 

 In this video we’re giving you a round-up 10 reasons to go solar. Before we continue, make sure to give this video a thumbs up, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for notifications. Let's begin!

#10 Rising energy costs: Rising energy costs are a worldwide issue. In the past ten years, residential electricity prices have gone up by an average of three percent annually. In Ontario, at the start of Covid-19 the Hydro electricity rates went up rapidly, and then up again on November 1st. One of the most clear cut benefits of solar panels is the ability to hedge utility prices. A one time investment means that you will be paying next to nothing for electric utilities for a while!

#9 Increase property value: If you own a home or a business that you potentially could be selling someday, know that solar panels will increase its worth! Multiple studies have found that homes equipped with solar energy systems have higher property values and sell more quickly than non-solar homes. Appraisers are increasingly taking solar installations into consideration, and as the education around solar power is becoming more and more common knowledge properties equipped with solar panels will continue to grow in value.

#8 Canada Energy Independence: Global energy markets are notoriously unstable, and price fluctuations can have a serious impact on the Canadian economy. When we expand our capacity to generate solar electricity within Canada, we also insulate ourselves from those price fluctuations and ensure a sustainable source of energy for the future. The sun is a near-infinite source of energy. By investing in solar power, you can help Canada take one step closer to energy independence!

#7 Solar Panel Lifespan: A lot of times, the main reason people are unsure about investing in solar panels is because they think a lot of maintenance will be required - often. That’s just not true. Solar panels are extremely durable and long lasting. Investing into the right type of solar panels will last you on average 20 to 30 or more years with little to no maintenance. 

#6 Go Green! : The most widely used method to generate electricity is with coal. Coal-fired plants produce electricity by burning coal in a boiler to produce steam. This isn’t exactly ideal for Earth’s atmosphere. Generating solar energy doesn't harm the environment at all! Solar power can replace the use of conventional fuels, coal, and nuclear energy sources all of which are harmful to the environment. 

#5 Payback Can Be Quick: Solar panels basically pay for themselves. Depending on how much solar energy you use, and also depending on how much conventional heating costs rise, solar energy can quickly pay off the initial cost. This is especially true with the rising costs of conventional fuels, making heating bills rise in Canada, and virtually every first world country.

#4 High Demand Time: The highest demand of electricity is during the day. Here in Ontario, the electricity rates haven’t just gone up - it also depends at what time you’re using it! Even though the rates are around 10 cents per kilowatt-hour at night, from 7 am to 7 pm they increase to 21.7 cents/kwh! This is done due to the high demand of electricity during that time, as a measure to discourage people from heavy usage. Contrary to this, solar power is generated during the day, and is at it’s best when the sun is shining brightest i.e around noon. This not only means that you won’t have to sweat the doubled rates of high-demand-time but also that you’ll be cutting yourself off from the amount of consumers at the peak times and easing the burden on your local power plant.

#3 Create Jobs: The solar power industry is at its infancy but it is growing. By purchasing and choosing solar power solutions for our electrical needs, we are creating jobs by employing solar panel manufacturers, solar installers, engineers etc. and in turn helps the economy!

#2 It’s Applicable Anywhere: As long as there is sunshine, solar energy can be deployed anywhere. This is particularly useful for remote regions with no access to any other source of electricity. There is a vast amount of people around the world with no access to electricity. Independent solar systems could be deployed in those regions and improve the lives of millions of people.

#1 It’s Unlimited!: As long as our sun is around (and if it isn’t there isn’t much hope for us anyways) there will be solar power available. The only true limitation on solar power is location, and even then there is solar energy present, just not at the same volumes as equatorial locations.

And that’s a wrap for 10 Reasons To Go Solar. Which one of these reasons did you find the most compelling? Let us know in the comments below. 

Sources:

https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2014/09/7-benefits-of-using-solar-energy

https://www.sepco-solarlighting.com/blog/bid/115086/solar-power-advantages-and-disadvantages

https://blogthinkbig.com/a-few-of-the-lesser-known-benefits-of-solar-energy

https://www.energysage.com/solar/why-go-solar/

https://gosolarpower.com/8-great-reasons-to-go-solar-today/

https://globalnews.ca/news/7427396/ontario-hydro-rate-hike-covid19-savings-end/

https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/electricity-rates-in-ontario-are-about-to-go-up-this-weekend-1.5167627

https://www.mrsolar.com/what-is-a-solar-panel/