During the Internet boom of the 1990s and early this decade, technology drove a whole new realm of communications, creating jobs for us and economic security. As we move toward a clean energy economy, technology is going to unleash millions of jobs that provide environmentally friendly ways to build our communities and power our lives with sources of energy that we can produce here and that improves our community's quality of life.
Today, the House passed H.R. 3585, the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, to strengthen the American solar technology industry through coordinated research and development and public-private partnerships. These partnerships would identify the actions needed to improve the performance and reliability of solar technologies, decrease costs, and reduce water use. Recommendations that come out of this work would direct a growing percentage of federal solar funding over time.
We New Yorkers stand to gain in this development as renewable energies like solar provide a broad variety of good-paying jobs − from electricians and truck drivers to cashiers and IT specialists − that are distributable across the U.S. economy. Energy from the sun offers a tremendous opportunity for us, with the potential to help create tens of thousands of clean energy jobs, including estimates of 250,000 jobs by 2020. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal even mentioned the huge potential in trapping solar energy from space! ("Five Technologies That Could Change Everything," by Michael Totty, October 19, 2009)
This is one of the many reasons for investing in solar research, development, and projects. But we risk falling behind to other countries and losing job opportunities if we do not accelerate our efforts as our global competitors are devoted to expanding solar technology development.
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There are many reasons why you should be using solar power as an electricity source for your home, but here are just the most important ones:
Solar systems are more efficient then other power sources
Yes, that is true! By using solar power for your home power supply, you will save up to 85% on your monthly electricity bill. Sun energy is captured through solar panels and converted into electricity which can be used to power your entire home. This is for sure also a great way to save money.
You reduce your electricity demands
We need electricity for so many things in our homes; heating, air condition, refrigerators, owens, computers... and when you use solar power panels you remarkably reduce your demands for electricity. This of course has a huge impact on lowering your monthly electricity bill. The more things there are in your home that need power to operate, the more it makes sense to use solar panels as a power source for your home.
Solar panels do not have a negative effect on the Planet
This is probably the most important reason why you should consider building solar panels for your home. They do not put off any pollutants such as carbon dioxide, so you don't affect the Earth's atmosphere in a negative way. Instead, you will be doing your part to help save the Earth.
Solar panels can be put pretty much anywhere
They can be placed on a lot of places, and when you place them on your roof, you do not see them or even know they are there. If for any reason they can not be placed on the roof you can place them anywhere as long as there is enough sun and no obstacles in the way.
These are not the only reasons for using solar power for your home electricity supply. If you do a little research you will discover even more reasons.
If you live in the US, you will find this interesting - you will get paid for implementing solar power in your home.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, solar tax credits are outlined as follows;
* Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credits
“Consumers who install solar energy systems (including solar water heating and solar electric systems), small wind systems, geothermal heat pumps, and residential fuel cell and microturbine systems can receive a 30% tax credit for systems placed in service before December 31, 2016; the previous tax credit cap no longer applies.”