Reduce Your Carbon Footprint by Using Solar Energy

Solar power refers to energy from the sun, converted to be used either for heating or for electricity, by private households or even businesses. Solar power is generated by a surface that attracts the energy of the sun and a method of converting this energy into electricity or heat. This method can be either directly using solar panels for electricity, or indirect using a solar thermal collector to generate heat.

The good thing about switching to solar power is that once the initial investment to install the desired system has been done, then the energy resulting from the system is free. Plus, there are tariffs that pay you for the green energy you produce, and if you are connected to the grid, then you can sell your surplus electricity to your energy supplier and get paid for that as well. Moreover, both solar panels and solar thermal collectors need almost no maintenance once they have been installed.

What we are most interested in this case is that solar power is green. Why so? Because it relies exclusively on the energy of the sun, which is not only free and always available, but also green. Whatever solar system you choose to install, it will make no noise. It just needs some roof space for the panels to attract enough sunlight.

Solar power saves money for the homeowner by reducing their dependence on the electric company power, but it also helps reduce their carbon footprint. This is an important part of helping the environment by reducing CO2 emissions and conserving resources through renewable energy.

What is Carbon Footprint?

Carbon footprint, amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with all the activities of a person or other entity (e.g., building, corporation, country, etc.). It includes direct emissions, such as those that result from fossil-fuel combustion in manufacturing, heating, and transportation, as well as emissions required to produce the electricity associated with goods and services consumed. In addition, the carbon footprint concept also often includes the emissions of other greenhouse gases, such as methane, nitrous oxide, or chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

This affects the temperature of earth’s atmosphere. If the number of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, etc. increases, the average temperature of Earth would rise, thus posing a serious threat of melting of glaciers and polar ice-caps. The temperature also plays important role in the weather pattern, and rising temperatures may cause it to change. For comparison, we may look at a planet like Venus, where atmosphere consists predominantly of Carbon Dioxide (96.5%), with an average surface temperature of almost 467 degrees Celsius.

Solar power is non-polluting which means no greenhouse gases. Going solar is by far the cleanest form of renewable energy to power your home and community. In fact, the average 4KW solar system in Australia will prevent between 3.75 – 4.05 tonnes of carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere per year, depending on the mix of coal and gas generation it is offsetting. So installing solar panels means you’ll generate your own clean energy, diminish your carbon emissions and be part of a clean energy revolution.

How to generate electricity and reduce your carbon footprint?

Using electricity from a solar panel system on your roof can be cheaper than buying it from your electricity company, and it’s one of the most significant activities your household can do to reduce your carbon footprint. Not to mention, when added to a smart energy management system like Reposit First, you can time your power-hungry appliances to use energy when you're generating it - reducing your power bill, carbon emissions and need to purchase electricity from the grid.

In summary, solar power has an affordable front-end cost, saves money monthly on energy bills, and cuts down on the CO2 emissions that affect our environment.  An investment in solar power makes sense all around.

For more details: Soura Natural Energy Solutions