Have you ever compared the benefits of producing energy with large, centralized power facilities to roof-top solar on homes and businesses? Solar comes out on top in every category! The economic, environmental and community benefits are considerable:
Roof-top solar
- is a local energy source
- does not pollute
- can be built much more quickly
- much lower cost
- greatly reduced electric bill
- does not destroy ecosystems
- preserves critical wildlife habitat
- reduces greenhouse gas emissions faster and more effectively
- creates jobs
- improves the grid’s stability
Large Centralized power facilities (gas, coal, nuclear) have the following disadvantages:
- more vulnerable to major electrical shutdowns due to weather events and terrorist attacks
- contribute to climate changing greenhouse gases
- disturb/destroy wildlife habitat and ecosystems
- deplete groundwater
- ruin the beauty of the landscape
Local energy production from roof-top solar is vastly superior to large, remote, centralized gas, nuclear and coal-fired power facilities. Roof-top solar is even better than solar energy generated from remote locations because no new transmission infrastructure is needed.
Given all those positives for roof-top solar, wouldn’t it be great if our government would follow the lead of Germany? Germany uses feed-in electricity tariffs to encourage the use of renewable energy technologies. A feed-in tariff policy is designed to accelerate investment in renewable energy technologies. It provides long-term contracts to renewable energy producers, based on the generation costs of the technology. Utilities pay government-mandated rates for renewable power over a guaranteed period of time, making clean energy a good investment that appeals to lenders, while convincing homeowners, farmers and communities that they can install solar panels or wind turbines and make a profit.
Given our precarious climate predicament, we can’t wait for our government to realize that feed-in tariffs are a good idea. it’s time for homeowners to get serious about solar. You owe it to yourself and the Earth to find out how feasible roof-top solar can be. Your payback period could be as little as a few years. That means you could soon be SAVING MONEY on your (non-existent) electric bill! What are you waiting for? Grab your panels while the government rebates are still available.
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