Imagine never having to pay for electricity again. That’s the dream of many people these days, and they’re looking to solar power as their way out. But is solar power cheaper than electricity? And which is better for the environment?
The answer depends on how much sun you get, what you’re using the power for, and personal preference. The bottom line is that if you can afford it, installing a solar system is hands down cheaper and more environmentally friendly than the traditional grid – even with today’s government incentives.
You’ll also save big time in the long term. However, there are still some upfront costs worth considering before you invest in a long-term solution.
Cost of Solar Power vs Electricity
Solar power is cheaper than electricity in some ways and more expensive in others. It depends on the circumstances and the long-term cost of both.
First, what counts as “cheap” may be subjective:
For example, if you’re currently paying $0.10 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for your electric bill and you end up switching to solar power, your new bill might be $0.30 per kWh for solar power (a total of $100/month). While that is more expensive than your original electric bill every month, it would still be cheaper over the long term because you wouldn’t have to pay for electricity at all, nor will you be subject to rate hikes from your local utility company.
Second, different types of solar installations accommodate different needs:
For instance, a small system may cost a few thousand dollars upfront and will produce enough energy to cover most household needs – it could even save money in the long-term by offsetting monthly utility costs. A larger system may cost upwards of $25,000 initially but will produce enough energy to cover all household needs – meaning you’ll never have to pay for electricity again!
Why Solar Power Might be a Better Option Than Electricity
We get asked this question a lot, and it’s a tough one to answer. But there are a few things to consider before deciding which is better for you.
First, if your home is in an area that gets a lot of sun – or you don’t need electricity at night – then solar is probably the way to go. This is because you can save a ton of money on your electric bill while also being environmentally friendly.
Second, if you have some cash burning a hole in your pocket, solar might be the right option for you. It can be pricey to install, but it will pay for itself in the long term.
Third, if you don’t have any money and want to save money on your electric bill, then going with traditional power might be the best idea. You’ll have to do some research into what electric company is cheapest where you live and how much energy you use per month so that you can calculate what kind of monthly savings you’re looking at.
But let’s say that after considering all these factors, solar still seems like the best option… how would it work? With solar power systems installed on your house, capturing sunlight during the day and storing it as energy for use when needed (night time) is a great option to have electricity when needed.
Environmental Cost of Solar Power
Solar power is a renewable resource, meaning it does not use fossil fuels but comes from the sun. In order to harness this free energy source and convert it into usable electricity, solar panels are typically installed on homes or buildings in sunny locations.
The cost of installation can be expensive due to these materials being more costly than regular roofing materials such as asphalt shingle roofs that have an average price range of $4-6 per square foot with an average labor charge for installation at around $2-$5 dollars per hour (12 hours typical).
This means that many people cannot afford to pay the upfront costs associated with installing solar panels which results in them continuing to depend on other sources like coal plants because they don’t want their utility bills to get any higher while waiting five years or more before reaping benefits through tax credits and savings from using less energy.
Environmental Cost of Electricity
The environmental cost of electricity includes air pollution, water pollution and noise caused by power plants. Coal-burning plants produce sulfur dioxide (SO2) which causes acid rain; they also release carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas implicated in climate change. Nuclear plant operations produce radioactive waste that must be stored for tens to hundreds of thousands of years before it is safe enough to enter the environment again.
The impact on the environment caused by generating and delivering electrical power includes:
- The use or depletion of natural resources to produce, transmit and distribute electric energy
- Generation-related impacts such as emissions from coal mining for fossil fuel power plants
- Distribution-related impacts such as line losses in transmitting electricity over long distances
- Usage-related effects include increased demands for cooling due to inefficient electrically powered devices like refrigerators
Environmental Friendliness of Solar and Electricity
When it comes to the environment, solar and electricity are two of its most friendliest components. Solar power has become more popular in recent years because it is an environmentally-sustainable resource that generates no pollutants or byproducts when producing energy.
On the other hand, many people use electricity for their home without even realizing how much they are contributing to environmental degradation until someone points out these facts about fossil fuels during a conversation with them.
It’s important for everyone to consider using renewable resources like solar and electricity so we don’t continue doing damage while we wait on new and updated technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells relying solely on water or magnetism causing problems down the line.
How to choose the best option for you
One of the benefits of solar power is that it’s an investment; electricity rates will continue to increase while solar panels will not require any maintenance or repairs over their estimated lifetime (25 years). The up-front cost of these systems can be expensive but they pay for themselves in less than 10 years and will last up to 25 years. If you don’t want to make such a big commitment upfront, there are financing options available – including leases and loans – where rates start at 4 percent.
So which option is best for you? Consider your budget and future financial goals when deciding whether to install a solar system or opt for electricity from your traditional utility company. If clean energy and savings sound appealing to you, we recommend going with residential solar power!