| There are a few options to choose from for | | | | This clean electricity produced from the |
| solar power. You can buy solar panels, which can | | | | photovoltaic panels can replace power produced |
| cost anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000, | | | | by oil, coal or nuclear power plants. And if you |
| depending on the size of the panels, or | | | | generate an excess of solar energy, you can |
| alternatively, you can set up solar panels in your | | | | actually sell the excess electricity you produce to |
| home, which will decrease your out-of-pocket | | | | the state electricity board. So instead of being |
| expenses to just a few hundred dollars. | | | | their customers, you can make them your |
| Solar Power is Free | | | | customer. They are always looking to buy |
| All the solar power you use is free after the initial | | | | electricity and will pay you for whatever you sell |
| installation of your solar system. Ten years from | | | | them. You can also charge up solar cells and sell |
| now, the solar energy will still be free. And with | | | | them on your own. |
| rising fuel costs, the growing demand for | | | | Cut Costs on Your Electricity Bills |
| electricity and a bottoming out economy, let's | | | | Solar power systems can be wired directly into |
| face it, we are all looking for ways to save | | | | your current utility connection, using sunlight to |
| money now and in the future. | | | | power your electrical appliances. Even though solar |
| Additionally, homeowners receive a tax rebate of | | | | panels may require a lot of space when you want |
| up to $1.10 per watt and there is a 30 percent | | | | to install them, you can see the results |
| Federal Tax Credit available to homeowners going | | | | immediately once you install the units. If you install |
| solar. Solar increases property value; for every $1 | | | | a number of panels, you can totally go off the |
| of energy savings, your property increases by | | | | grid and may never need to use any electricity |
| $20. | | | | from the state electricity board. This will enable |
| Green Energy | | | | you to enjoy uninterrupted and free electricity, |
| Solar power is green; it causes no pollution, has no | | | | saving you up to 90 percent of the money you |
| by-products, and is extremely clean. This | | | | are spending on your bills now. |
| renewable source of energy does not exhaust | | | | Economic Benefits |
| the natural resources of the earth and helps to | | | | A solar industry that is growing can provide local |
| build a sustained eco-system. Additionally, using | | | | jobs and economic development opportunities for |
| solar panels to power your home will drastically | | | | cities, states and countries. For every million |
| reduce your carbon footprint. | | | | dollars that are invested in solar electricity, |
| Solar power does not harm the ozone layer in the | | | | between five and 15 jobs will be created. This is in |
| atmosphere and is a renewable alternative to | | | | comparison to oil and gas, which only creates 1.5 |
| power plants the use fossil fuels that lead to | | | | jobs for every million dollars invested. This is |
| global warming. Even though you cannot change | | | | important for growing our nations and |
| the world all by yourself, it is good to be one to | | | | economically bouncing back from the depressions |
| initiate change. Soon everyone will follow, and with | | | | they have landed in. |
| solar energy and its benefits, the earth will be a | | | | Additionally, solar energy can be effective at being |
| healthier and greener place to live in. | | | | an economic development driver. The U.S. |
| Generate Electricity to Distribute | | | | Photovoltaic market increased by 57 percent by |
| Every minute the earth receives enough sunlight | | | | 2007 and the Energy Information Administration |
| to meet the world's energy demands for one | | | | forecasts the long-term growth to reach nearly |
| whole year. Just think about how little your one | | | | 3,000 MW by 2030. The Photovoltaic industry |
| house would need. You can produce solar | | | | generated over $17 billion in global revenues in |
| electricity in your house by installing solar panels to | | | | 2007, driving a large percentage of the economic |
| collect and convert the sunlight into electricity. | | | | rise. |