How solar panels can keep the planet healthy

Max Johnson — Solar panels are being used more and more by businesses, schools and other organizations for a number of reasons: they're green, clean, and can have a hugely positive impact on energy expenditure for nearly everybody. Solar panels are being tipped as a 'clean technology’ (as well as a technology perfect for keeping the planet healthy) so they might be an investment worth thinking about. They can be deployed in locations across the world in order to generate massive amounts of electricity, or just installed to supplement existing energy supplies and reduce greenhouse emissions. Green energy is an industry that has been taking the world by storm over the past decade, and wholesale solar panels are a prime example of a green energy technology that can save the planet AND save people money. Let's look at how.

The Science

Solar panels work very similarly to the leaves on a plant. Solar panels use a method called photovoltaics, they absorb light energy from the sun (or other light source) and convert it into electrical energy. This electrical energy, in the form of a current, can then provide power to appliances and devices, potentially cooking food, charging mobile phones, or even powering electric vehicles. Alternatively, energy from solar panels can be stored in batteries or capacitors – ideal for remote locations where constant power isn't always reliable. In some locations, solar panels are actually installed in order to provide energy BACK to the national grid, to be used elsewhere.

When solar panels generate energy, unlike other means of energy generation using fossil fuels, no fumes or emissions are given off: light energy is simply absorbed, and electricity is generated. It's as simple as that. In fact, solar panels can continue to do this for years without interference, as long as they're kept happy with a plentiful source of light, such as sunlight.

Protecting the Planet

In a national grid (where we get most of our power from: think energy companies) much of the energy comes from dirty, “carbon-rich”, polluting power stations such as coal-fired turbines. While these power stations are able to provide masses of electricity, they're not very environmental-friendly. Traditional power stations can pump out thousands of tons of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases each year, damaging the Earth's atmosphere and, according to scientists across the globe, eventually leading to global climate change.

Solar panels generate sustainable energy: something we need to adopt on a large scale in order to keep the planet healthy. Traditional fuel-burning methods (like coal, gas, and oil) provide a lot of waste products and toxic emissions, whereas solar panels can be installed and left to generate guilt-free energy without contributing to climate change nearly as much. Solar panels are so environmentally friendly because they use a renewable source of energy, one which can never be exhausted and provides lots of energy already: the sun.

As more energy is generated from solar panels, less energy needs to be generated by traditional power stations, meaning less emissions and less impact on the environment. Solar panels are a sustainable source of efficient energy, not just green energy. Even when compared to alternative renewable energy technologies, such as wind turbines, solar panels emerge as the least wasteful way of generating electricity. Solar panels are also virtually silent and take up much less space than wind turbines, ultimately meaning a lesser impact on the environment they're installed in. Quieter technology means happier wildlife!

Solar Panels Saves Pennies (Lots and Lots of Them)

Ultimately, very few of us can afford to make the switch to renewable energy just on environmental factors alone. Fortunately, however, solar panels are a viable investment for the vast majority of people. As they provide a virtually constant source of energy for their lifetime, solar panels are a good way of saving money on energy costs, particularly in environments where lots of electricity is used regularly. Depending on the kind of environment they're placed in and the amount of energy required, solar architecture can pay for itself with the money it saves in a couple of years – a long, long time before you need to worry about replacing panels. For this reason, even local councils in England have started to install solar panels on property as a medium-term investment: one which is only going to be more lucrative as energy prices continue to soar through the roof.

For large business, it's not uncommon for tax breaks and rewards to exist for carbon-friendly behavior. Solar panels are an ideal way of reducing your organization's overall carbon footprint as saving money on energy bills. Carbon-friendly businesses can get access to a number of different incentives and in some countries, unused solar energy can be 'sold' back to the national grid in order to generate extra revenue.

Whether they're used as a way of combating climate change or installed in order to avoid rising energy prices, it's a good idea to buy wholesale solar panels as an investment this January.



About the Author

This article was written by Max Johnson  Max is a student in London, studying climate and the atmosphere and he enjoys writing about renewable energy and technology.

Does surviving the Zombie Apocalypse mean going green?

Samantha Torrence--The Zombie Apocalypse is nearing and survival is the first concern in everyone’s mind.  Are you prepared?  And are you green enough?

Sure you have your regulation Zombie killing weapons, but besides the flame throwers, boomsticks, and machetes what else would you need to survive? After all there is not going to be just a constant wave of zombies to defeat like in a video game so in the downtime you will need to eat, sleep, and get ready for more. When the system collapses, trade ceases, power grids fail, and money becomes obsolete, how are you going to feed and clothe yourself?

If you look around your home,  you have all the convenience of modern life.  How much of the technology in your home that gives you those conveniences would become useless if power infrastructures failed? Would your gas or electric stove work? Would your computer power up? These are questions you need consider as you make a survival plan. What appliances and pieces of technology would you like to keep in a post-apocalyptic world? Things like radios, computers, cooking stoves, heating sources and the like would be essential to keep even a semblance of the quality of life you are used to. You will also need a tactical advantage against the zombie horde this is where radio transmitters, radios, and motion lights would be superb. Perhaps while you still can it would be useful to purchase a wind turbine or solar panels with a power storage and converter for your home. You can even make them yourself if you are handy.  It will not only help you keep appliances powered when the grid fails, but while the grid is in place it will help you with your bill and you can even sell energy back to the power plants.  This would also be a good time to replace any gas run appliances with electric, after all natural gas lines will not be full forever.

Electricity may be the initial choice for preservation, but what about a water supply? Unless your community survives enough to come together and create a defense, that water tower in your area is not going to remain full. Also the water purification system will not be functional. Most people are not used to the bacteria in the natural water supply and ingesting that water would lead to sickness. Learning how to filter your own water for cooking and drinking is essential for survival.

Do you know how to make flour? How about cooking oil? Eating will become mighty dull while trade is at a minimum and you cannot get prepackaged and ready-to-eat foods from the local grocery store.  Storing canned goods is a first step during the initial Zombie wave but eventually you will have to acclimate to old world style cooking. Maybe it is time to visit your grandparents and learn how to can and cook, or even look up these essentials online. For an idea of all you will need to learn to make first look at the ingredients in making just a loaf of bread. Then ask yourself how you will get each ingredient if there are no more stores.  No matter what happens you will need to learn to eat locally. Take this time before worldwide doom to find out what local plants and animals are in your area and how hunt and gather. Even now it is a good idea to get into this habit. Think of all the money you could save on groceries if you hunted for your own food and even made a garden in your back yard.

Clearly surviving the Zombie Apocalypse is going to be about more than just your weaponry, it is going to be about learning to live in a local and self-sufficient way. People will have to relearn old arts like blacksmithing, glass blowing, tailoring, candle making, soap making and farming.  Learning how to live in a localized community is what “going green” is all about. It isn’t about the EPA get rich schemes, or clean air acts, it is about merging the low impact self-sufficient way of life from the per-industrial era and the modern technology that has given us access to great medical care and knowledge of how to keep ourselves healthy through clean living.

Take this time before the Zombie Apocalypse to learn a craft and how to do the everyday housework that people living in super powered countries have forsaken.