Published on November 1st, 2010 | by Zachary Shahan
67Go Solar (Going Green Tip #9)
November 1st, 2010 by Zachary Shahan
As I’ve already discussed in this “Going Green Tips” series, one of the most important things we can do to go green is cut the coal. Cutting your use of air conditioning, especially if you live in a hot climate, is one great way to do so, as is switching to LEDs or getting a home energy audit (or both). However, if you want to go a step further on this home energy front, one of the first things to consider is going solar.
How to Go Solar
There are many options for going solar. Many people just think about the option of buying solar panels on your own, but there are others as well.
You can:
1. lease solar panels (it’s now the most popular way to go solar in California),
2. own part of a community solar garden (or participate in some other solar hosting option),
3. build solar panels yourself,
4. steal them from your neighbor (just kidding!),
5. finance a solar installation with PACE financing (if it’s available in your area),
6. (again, if it’s available in your area) just buy renewable energy credits instead of dirty energy from your electric company, or
7. buy your solar panels — across the United States, Admirals Bank now offers a $0 down solar loan.
Why Solar is Green?
It is quite common knowledge that solar power is greener than most other options. The main environmental benefits of solar are that:
1. Solar energy doesn’t emit greenhouse gases or other pollution (although, a very, very, very minimal amount is emitted in the production of solar panels). Solar and wind are clear winners when it comes to global warming.
2. Solar energy, especially solar PV, uses very little water.
Of course, solar panels are not made of air, and some parts of both the product and process are not so green. Luckily, independent bodies are evaluating solar power companies and promoting best practices in the field.
In the end, going solar is one of the greenest things you can do, so consider going solar now, while costs are at an all-time low and great government subsidies are available.
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