Why More Australians Are Turning To Solar Power

Many Australians are turning to solar power as a way to reduce their energy bills and do their bit for the environment. Are you thinking of doing the same? Learn more about solar power in Australia here.

What is Solar Power?

Solar panels are devices that can be installed at your home or business, which convert sunlight into electricity. This energy can then be used to power lights and appliances in your home. The price of panels has fallen dramatically over the years, and they have become more efficient than ever before. Many Australians are installing solar power as a way to reduce their energy bills and do their bit for the environment.

How do Solar Power Work?

Solar panels are made up of amorphous silicon cells, and they’re treated to become even more efficient at converting sunlight into electricity. There are typically hundreds of these cells in each panel. The generated electricity is then transferred through an inverter which transforms the energy from DC current to AC current, allowing it to be used by household appliances.

The Benefits of Solar Power

Solar panels come with a number of benefits over traditional electricity sources such as hydroelectricity, coal or natural gas. Here are some of the most often cited benefits:

Costs of Solar Power

The cost of solar power has fallen dramatically over the past few years. It is becoming an increasingly viable option for Australians looking to switch from costly fossil fuel electricity. Electricity powered by solar energy remains expensive when compared to other forms of energy such as baseload hydroelectricity or cheap coal power. However, the cost of solar energy is still falling.

Renewable

Solar power is a renewable energy source, so it does not run out. Because the sun’s rays are free and available to all people in all places, solar power will never be depleted in the way that fossil fuels or nuclear power can.

Lower Emissions

Using solar power systems instead of traditional electricity sources such as coal or gas reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 78% while also eliminating emissions of mercury, arsenic and other pollutants.

Cleaner Environment

Solar panels never need to be disposed of as they are made from environmentally friendly products such as silicon which is in plentiful supply worldwide. Solar power systems can be recycled when needed with minimal impact on the environment – unlike fossil fuels or nuclear energy.

Inexhaustible

Solar power is inexhaustible and also sustainable. The sun will always shine, and the only limit to solar energy is the amount of sunlight available at a given location.

Economic Benefits

Solar energy has already proven to be an extremely cost-effective alternative to other forms of electricity generation, with the price of photovoltaic solar panels continuing to fall. Other components of solar power systems are also becoming cheaper as industry production scales up.

Green jobs

Solar energy provides many new green jobs for the future – in manufacture, installation and maintenance – and is one of the leading renewable energy technologies that can be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Solar power systems create local employment opportunities wherever they operate, boosting regional economies.

Environmental impact

Solar power systems do not produce air or water pollution, don’t use up non-renewable resources, and can generate electricity in places where other sources of energy may not be readily available. They also require minimal land space compared with traditional power generation methods such as coal-fired and nuclear power stations.

Cost-effectiveness of solar power

Solar power does not produce air or water pollution, doesn’t use up non-renewable resources, and can generate electricity in places where other sources of energy may not be readily available. They also require minimal land space compared with traditional power generation methods such as coal-fired and nuclear power stations.

If you want information about the risks of cheap solar, check our previous post.

Tax incentives 

Solar power generation is eligible for various government and local council subsidies and rebates as a clean energy source. In 2012, the federal government introduced its Solar Credits scheme to encourage households, businesses and community groups to invest in small-scale renewable energy technology such as solar panels or wind turbines. The program included household “solar credits” worth up to $5000 per household.

Low Maintenance Costs

Solar panels operate at minimal costs and require little maintenance, making them a cost-effective energy solution in the long term. Once installed, solar panels will produce electricity for decades to come with zero carbon emissions and minimal upkeep.

Weather-Dependent

In Australia, wind energy is intermittent and weather-dependent. Solar panels, however, produce a constant output of electricity regardless of the weather conditions. As long as sunlight is available, solar cells will generate power.

Solar power is the future. This blog post has proven that more Australians are turning to solar power as a way to reduce their energy bills and do their bit for the environment. If you’re interested in making this transition, contact us at Newcastle Solar Panels. Our team of experts can help guide you through this process so that it’s seamless and hassle-free. Get started today!