Solar energy has taken the world by storm, and for good reason! But what are some real solar energy benefits for our health and the environment? Read on to find out more from our good friends at EnergySage.

My husband and I have this lifelong dream. It goes a little something like this:

• we live on a homestead
• we grow all of our own food
• we raise some animals on our little farm – some chickens, maybe a couple of goats
• there’s a compost heap, some rain barrels…

And we have as many solar panels as we can afford to help power the whole operation!

Photo Courtesy: EnergySage – That’s not us, of course 🙂 But I’m drooling over this couple’s solar panel covered roof!

You see, I kind of have this thing with solar panels. I’m absolutely fascinated by solar energy, and I always have to stop and admire the solar installations I find on random homes and businesses in my community, as well as on my travels. 

I snapped this photo in San Diego at the Energy Innovation Center – the whole parking lot is covered in solar panels!

I mean, there’s a giant, exploding ball of energy that’s just floating out there in space, and we can actually harness this energy to power our homes, cars, and pretty much anything else we need?

How awesome is that??

Photo courtesy: EnergySage – How adorable is this quaint, solar powered neighborhood?

More and more businesses these days are promoting solar. Take the recent Comcast solar partnership, for example. Or the recent announcement from one of my alma maters, Florida International University, about their new solar research facility. 

When businesses make an effort to support and promote solar energy, I am all over that. 

EnergySage makes it easy to go solar!

That’s why I’m partnering with EnergySage – an online marketplace to help you go solar and save money while doing it! Think of EnergySage like the kayak.com of solar – they help people research and shop for solar by comparing quotes from local solar installers in the US.

If you’ve been thinking about installing a few solar panels on your home or business but don’t know where to start, EnergySage gives you everything you need to make an informed decision on your investment.

Because solar energy is an investment. It’s an investment in our future, but it’s also an investment in our health and the environment. So what are some of these touted solar energy benefits? Let’s find out from our friends at EnergySage.

Solar Energy Benefits: Contribute to a sustainable energy economy

Most of the electricity generated in the U.S. comes from fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. Extracting and using fossil fuels is expensive and harmful to the environment. By contrast, solar energy is free and readily abundant – if we could capture all of the sun’s energy shining on the Earth for just one hour, we could power the entire world for one year!

By investing in solar energy, you can help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels in favor of one of the most abundant, consistent sources of energy we have available: our sun. 

Solar Energy Benefits: Decrease greenhouse gas emissions

Generating electricity with solar power instead of fossil fuels can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2). Greenhouse gases, which are produced when fossil fuels are burned, lead to rising global temperatures and climate change. Climate change already contributes to serious environmental and public health issues in the Northeast, including extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and ecosystem changes.

By going solar, you can reduce demand for fossil fuels, limit greenhouse gas emissions, and shrink your carbon footprint. One home installing a solar energy system can have a measurable effect on the environment. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average Connecticut home uses 8,756 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year. Switching from fossil fuels to solar power in the state has the same emissions reduction effect as planting 155 trees every year.

In New York, the average home uses 7,092 kWh of electricity annually. Choosing a clean source of electricity like solar panels can eliminate the same amount of carbon emissions that would result from burning 5,253 pounds of coal each year.

Solar Energy Benefits: Respiratory and cardio health issues

One of the biggest solar energy benefits is that it results in very few air pollutants. An analysis by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that widespread solar adoption would significantly reduce nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter emissions, all of which can cause health problems. NREL found that, among other health benefits, solar power results in fewer cases of chronic bronchitis, respiratory and cardiovascular problems, and lost workdays related to health issues.

The benefits of solar energy are clear. Not only can you save money on your electric bills – you can also reduce your carbon footprint and improve your health and the health of those around you. Compare quotes today to see how much you can save by going solar.

Portions of this post were republished with permission from the EnergySage blog.