6 Advantages of Investing in Solar Panels

Solar panels can give your household independence when it comes to electricity. In other words, installing a solar power system can help lower your bills, and even help you deal with rotational brownouts or blackouts brought about by natural disasters. While the system does have cons (initial money-out is huge, you can't brign them with you when moving, and manufacturing still causes polution albeit significantly less than fossil fuels), they are a low-maintenance source of sustainable energy. 

If you've been doing your research on the advantages of solar panels, we've got you covered. We’ve compiled a list that can help you make an informed decision:

 1. Solar panels can save you money in the long run 

Solar panels may initially be expensive, but buying them will help you save money later on. Relying more on the electricity generated by solar panels can, according to the Department of Energy, save you at least 30 percent of your monthly electricity bills. 

If you find that the solar panels are too expensive upfront, don’t worry as you can get a loan for them from financial institutions such as Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Pag-Ibig Fund, and Social Security System (SSS), among others.

2. Solar panels can reduce greenhouse gases

Solar energy inflicts the least amount of damage to the environment. It uses a small amount of water for maintenance, does not pollute water, and does not emit harmful greenhouse gases. In fact, a maximum of 1,576 kg of carbon emission production is avoided for every 1.5 kW of installed solar capacity. 

3. Solar panels do not produce sound pollution

Solar panels are silent, making them suitable for domestic and industrial uses.

4. Solar panels can easily be integrated into the home design

Solar panels can come in different shapes and sizes, as they can be flat, square, shaped, and bent.  This makes it easy for them to be fused into homes and industrial buildings. 

5. Solar panels can increase your home’s market value 

Remember when we mentioned that it's hard to uninstall panels when you're moving? The upside to that is they can be helpful in raising the selling price of your home. Homes with a solar energy system are worth more than those without one. One study found that a solar energy system increased the market value of the home by an average of $15,000 in the US. 

6. You’re in an ideal location to collect solar power

The Philippines has more than an ample amount of sunlight, with 4.5-5.5 kWh per square meter per day as the potential power generating capacity. Both the northern and southern parts of the country are ideal, as the former can produce an average of  4.5-5.5 kWh per square meter per day and the latter can generate 5-5.5 kWh per square meter per day. 

Using solar power is also ideal for houses that live in far-flung rural areas. Rather than only being able to do activities in daylight, with solar power systems community members will be able to do income-generating activities such as farming, selling, and studying with the electricity generated during the day.

Sources: PH Department of Energy, Greenmatch, US Department of Energy, Solar Rooftops