Present and Future Benefits of Solar Powered Homes

Present and Future Benefits of Solar Powered Homes

Introduction

The following is a feasibility study on the need to apply solar power for homes and the benefits to be expected from it. This report contains information on the expected benefits of using solar power for homes in place of traditional methods of power such as electricity and gas. Solar power is beneficial to consumers because it saves them money compared to the increasingly high prices of conventional methods of generation. Solar power is also beneficial to society because it is much safer for our environment than the burning of fossil fuels or the use of nuclear power that is characteristic of gas and electricity power. This report explores solar power as an alternate and superior means of power generation for homes.

Discussion and Results

“Photovoltaics—A Path to Sustainable Futures”, a journal article by Joshua M. Pierce states that since 1957, electricity demand in the US has increased by over 450% while the US population has increased by only 50%, which illustrates how the demand for electricity has grown. During the first half of the 20th century, the national average price of electricity decreased as more efficient generating units were brought into service and this general trend has continued, but more electricity is needed so there is a need for different methods of generation like nuclear and solar power. Nuclear and fossil fuel generation have many negative environmental impacts, so there is a need for change which enables consumers to reduce dependence on these harmful technologies. “Photovoltaics—A Path to Sustainable Futures” states that new technology such as solar power has become a primary focus for researchers and they not only believe solar power to be environmentally safer but more cost effective as well. All of us are electricity consumers and therefore are familiar with this issue that directly affects us. When looking at alternate ways to produce electricity, one matter that particularly stands out is the consumer’s cost for the use of electricity compared to the use of solar power. According to www.solcomhouse.com, over 200,000 homes in the U.S. use some type of solar technology and more than 10,000 homes are entirely power by solar energy.

The advantages of using solar power for homes, also known as Photovoltaic systems, are numerous. Many solar-power...

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References

Passive Solar Buildings by J. Douglas Baccomb is a book that we have used that explains a broad survey of solar power-energy technologies and the reasons for their increased use. WWW.solcomhouse.com by The Ozone Hole, Inc. is a web site that gives an overall definition of solar power and its many uses. “Convincing the Home Builder to Build Solar Homes-

Evaluation of the Passive Solar Workshop for Builders” by S. Klein is a journal article that discusses the increasing need for electricity and the most cost effective and environmentally safest way to keep up with the demand. “Photovoltaics -- A Path to Sustainable Futures” Volume 34, 20022002 by Joshua M. Pierce is another journal article that explains the technical, social, and economic benefits and limitations of PV technologies to provide electricity. Solar Heating Systems: Analysis and Design with the Sun-Pulse Method by Gordon F. Tully is another book that we used for our background information on how solar energy systems work. WWW.Millionsolarroofs.com by the U.S. Department of Energy is a web site that contains information on government programs supporting the use of solar power generation in homes.