What Are the Benefits of Solar Powered Homes?

The sun provides heat, light and even power to homes connected with solar panels. Making the conversion to solar power on a home is a decision that will change the way your house is run. Before making the final choice, consider all of the benefits that solar power provides to a home. Understanding what solar power brings and how it is different than standard electricity will help explain why solar power is being added to so many homes.

Environmental Benefits

1. Solar power is provided a renewable resource in the sun, so the use of solar power uses none of the Earth's resources like coal, oil and natural gas. The installation of the solar panels usually occurs on a roof of the home, so no earth surrounding a home needs to be disturbed. According to "Solar Times," the technology behind the solar panels is recyclable. When the solar panel is no longer in use manufacturers take the old parts and create new panels.

Power Storage

2. A myth about solar power is that a home will not receive power at night or a cloudy day. This is untrue, because solar panels are wired through a home and connected to a battery charging station. While the house receives power, the extra power is transferred into battery storage packs for use when sun or clouds is not available. So when a wind storm knocks out standard home electricity, a solar powered house can still operate with the charged batteries.

Grid Connection

3. Solar powered homes always have the option of a connection to the local power grid that can provide extra benefits. The first benefits is for houses that use a lot of electricity. Extra power can be drawn in from the grid to provide the home's power. The second benefit is for homes that collect extra power. That power can be distributed to the grid and some states will even pay homes that supply the extra power.

Payback Period

4. A solar powered home is a huge investment, but the free electricity provided in the first 10 years is known as the payback period. Basically this means that any costs for the solar panels would have gone towards an electric bill and after 10 years, the money is made up and the electricity is truly free. It is a lengthy investment that eventually pays off greatly.

Time Frame

5. Solar panels are built to cater to little or no maintenance at all. The average life span of a solar powered system is around 30 years, with many new panels lasting much longer. This means that a home will have free electricity for over 20 years after the payback period and they never have to worry about power outages, overdue bills, or using too much electricity.