The world is a place in which anything seems possible. Science is one of the many facets that continue to grow and evolve. As such, how you power your home follows this trend. For decades, electricity ruled the landscape. In the early 1900s, this power source was the focus of energy. Throughout the decades, science has given people more options to consider when thinking about your home.
From electrical in the days gone by to the new and exciting options available today, renewable energy is a talking point in society. Currently, 16 percent of global energy consumption comes from renewable resources. So, how do you learn which way is best to power your home? Luckily, you have many options as to which one is best for you.
Solar Panels
Even in 2017, you may not be all that familiar with solar panels. Although they are popular in the world today, depending on where you live, it may still not be something you see every day when you walk down the street. In places that have an abundance of sunlight, such as Australia, rooftop solar panels are a normal everyday sight.
The way they work is that solar energy is captured by solar panels and if a solar battery is connected, the solar energy can be stored in the battery for use during the evenings and overcast days. It is the most common preference when people make the switch from fossil fuel powered energy (most commonly derived from coal) to renewable energy.
In a 2015 study, 90% of the 2897 people surveyed believed that new houses should come equipped with solar power. Governments around the world have been implementing initiatives to encourage residents to take up renewables. The Australian federal government for example ran a major program that provided rebates to residential users to promote the uptake of renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to The Australian Institute, by May 2010, the government scheme supported almost 108,000 solar panel installations across Australia.
Verdict: Solar panels are a great choice because they offer two alternatives: you can choose to go off-grid or stay connected to the power grid. The sun is a beautiful source of this power and it pays off in the long run. You just have to ask yourself if the initial investment is worth the effort.
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Solar Batteries
This one requires a bit of knowledge, but is well worth knowing. Essentially, grid-connected renewable energy systems can help power your home as these grids possess the ability to supply an abundant amount of renewable energy to urban households and helps reduce reliance on coal-powered electricity. But on days where the sun isn’t shining or during the evenings, it becomes difficult to use solar energy. That is why an important component of a home solar energy system is a solar storage battery. Without one, you won’t be able to store excess solar energy generated during the day to use when days are overcast, there’s a natural disaster or when the grid goes down.
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While this option isn’t as commonly discussed as solar panels, it’s worth considering if you want really want to switch from a fossil-fuel driven power source to reliable renewable energy.
Verdict: Purchasing a solar battery is highly recommended for those who are on stand-alone home solar systems and live completely off-grid. It means you can live uninterrupted, as you will have access to reliable solar energy regardless of the time of day. A self-sufficient lifestyle is made easier with solar batteries.
Wind Turbines
Back in the 10th century, windmills were invented in Persia to make tasks easier, such as grinding grains or powering well pumps. The first windmill to generate electricity using the power of the wind, was built in 1888 to power a home. These items weren’t available for personal use. Today, the windmill has graduated into the wind turbine. You can build them yourself, but that requires a lot of time and effort. Pressuring your government to invest in wind energy will have far-reaching benefits to the community and will help them reach their Renewable Energy Target.
Shelling out tends of thousands of dollars is the alternative for ones made from metal. Wind turbines are the best alternative when you want to switch to something like the grid-based system. Wind is easy to come by, which makes it a fantastic renewable energy source. In 2016, Australia’s wind farms produced 30.8 percent of the country’s clean energy and supplied 5.3 percent of Australia’s overall electricity during the year. And according to Clean Energy Council, “wind power is currently the cheapest source of large-scale renewable energy” in Australia.
Verdict: This renewable energy solution is met with skepticism given the noise and it is not as straightforward an option as solar power for residential households. Plus, depending on where you live, wind turbines may not even be available. However, if you do live near them, it’s a great alternative resource to consider.
Conclusion
All alternative resources of power are essential in the world. With solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries, the world is full of possibilities. Whichever path you choose, making an ‘eco-friendlier’ choice is still an excellent choice compared with the fossil fuel alternative.
