The world is facing an increasing energy demand, while at the same time, there is a growing concern over climate change due to fossil fuel combustion. At this stage, opting for renewable energy sources to power your property can do wonders in shrinking your carbon footprint, bolstering sustainability, and even cutting down expenses on traditional grid power bills.
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What Is Sustainable Green Energy?
The energy produced from natural, renewable sources is known as green energy. Clean energy generates less or almost no emissions, making it environmentally friendly and sustainable. The good thing about renewable power is that it gets harnessed from the bountiful gifts of nature, such as sun, winds, geothermal, and water. And these natural energy sources are constantly replenished, giving us an unceasing supply of clean energy.
Owing to the power generation process from natural resources, renewable energy is also known as “green energy” or “clean energy.” It is practically emission-free, unlike fossil fuels such as coal and oil, which emit vast amounts of greenhouse gases, adding the worst impact to climatic changes.
So, let’s revamp your home energy and unleash the power of renewable sources for a sustainable future.
1. Solar Power
Nowadays, solar power is one of the most economical renewable energy options. Since the past decade, solar technology has evolved significantly, and now it has become the most preferred choice among domestic and commercial power users to generate clean electricity.
Many consumers have installed solar photovoltaic panels in their properties. These solar PV systems efficiently convert sunlight into electricity that powers devices and heats homes. The good thing is that these solar panels also work in winter and cloudy days, but they generate more power on sunny days. Excess electricity generated during day hours gets stored in solar batteries for later use. And solar consumers can sell any excessive unused electricity to the national electricity grid under the FiT (feed-in tariffs) or other government-supported solar programs. Solar PV systems are an excellent choice to generate renewable power that reduces consumer reliance on grid energy. In addition, it lowers electricity bills, with potential savings, and offers a good return on investments.
2. Solar Heating
One of the best advantages of solar technology is that it provides year-round hot water and home heating. Many homeowners and commercial property owners link their heating systems with solar panels and enjoy economical and eco-friendly solar heating.
Solar panels generate energy that heats water and stores it in a hot water cylinder. Typically, five square meters of direct sunlight exposure for most of the day is enough for optimal performance. However, if solar consumers want to use solar power to provide heating in addition to hot water, larger panels will be needed, depending on the size of their property.
3. Wind Energy
If you have a spacious home that requires a lot of energy for day-to-day activities, a small-scale wind turbine could be a viable option for green power. However, before installing a wind turbine on your property, evaluate the costs and benefits of wind energy. It typically takes several years for a home wind turbine to pay off, depending on wind intensity in the area. Therefore, to avoid unnecessary expenses, it is advised to examine the financial outlay.
Wind turbines can take up significant space and produce noise during operation, making them an unpopular choice for residential areas. Nonetheless, a modestly-sized wind turbine can generate enough energy to cover most domestic needs, making it a wise investment than solar energy.
Ultimately, before considering a wind turbine, assess the wind intensity in your area and the turbine size required to meet your energy needs. This way, you can make an informed decision and invest in renewable energy that benefits your finances and the environment.
4. Hydroelectric Systems
Hydropower is another renewable energy source available to homeowners that has the potential to revolutionize how riverside households handle their power supply. If you own property near a river or stream, you can divert some or all of the water to flow through a turbine, generating energy to power your home. Unlike solar or wind power, hydropower is stable and continuous, providing 24/7 coverage of your energy needs, regardless of weather changes.
According to energy experts, hydropower generators can produce up to 10-100 times more power than standard solar panels or wind turbines for the same capital investment.
5. The Powerwall
The Powerwall is a large rechargeable battery that stores several kilowatt-hours of electricity. It can be set to charge itself from the grid during periods of low electricity charges and discharge when the cost of power is high. By pairing Powerwall with a sustainable generator such as solar panels, you can maximize your savings and improve environmental benefits.
The Powerwall is not a primary power supply system; however, it can significantly enhance green energy capabilities allowing users to store energy generated other sustainable sources and use it as needed.
