Solar is the fastest-growing energy generation in Australia. As the climate crisis becomes a more pressing issue, homeowners must have access to options that help limit the carbon footprint of their everyday household activities.

However, when you invest in solar panels for your home, there are some steps you must take to ensure your investment lasts. Solar panels do not require much maintenance, but there are some best practices to keep in mind to ensure you get the maximum energy output from your panels. 

Keep reading to learn how to maintain your solar panels over time.

How Long Do Solar Panels Last?

The latest solar panels on the market generally last between 40 and 50 years. However, older solar panels have between 25 and 30 years of shelf life. 

Investing in modern solar panels can ensure that you get a lifetime of use from your solar panels, as long as you take the proper steps to maintain them. Looking after your panels reduces the appearance of wear and tear over time. 

A large majority of solar panels installed when solar energy initially became more accessible for the household are close to the end of their shelf-life. To renew your solar panels, contact your local Sydney solar panel installation experts at SolarPath, who will advise you on the best solar solutions to invest in.

What Should I Be Doing To Maintain My Solar Panels?

Here are some of the best practices to maintain your solar panels.

How To Clean Your Solar Panels

Cleaning your solar panels is essential to ensure maximum light permeates. To clean your solar panels, you can use the following methods:

• Purchasing a solar panel cleaning kit – buying a solar panel cleaning kit will prevent you from damaging the solar panels with any abrasive chemicals or materials in the cleaning process. Solar panel cleaning kits are perfectly tailored to help you clean the panels effectively.

• Try cleaning your panels when they are wet – whenever it rains, the dirt on the surface of your solar panels loosens, presenting the opportunity to use a squeegee or sponge to get rid of this dirt.

• Enlist the services of a solar panel cleaner – if you can’t easily access your roof, then trying to clean your solar panels on your own could be dangerous. So, consider enlisting the services of a solar panel cleaner to ensure your panels are clean and you are safe and sound. We recommend this option, where feasible, as the experts know the best ways to protect and maintain your panels.

• Use safety equipment – wearing a hard hat and a safety harness can help ensure you will be safe while cleaning your solar panels. Your safety is paramount, and you should not attempt to clean your solar panels without protective gear.

Maintaining The Sunlight Exposure

If you want to ensure your solar panels produce the optimal amount of energy over the years, you need to ensure that they are not blocked from the sunlight. You should cut down any trees or branches that grow over your solar panels and block the light.

When Will Your Solar Panels Need More Maintenance?

If you live in an area prone to heavy snowfall, you may need to put more effort into maintaining your solar panels. Extremely low temperatures and exposure to heavy snowfall can be detrimental to the functioning of your solar panel. So, during the colder seasons, you may be required to perform more maintenance on your solar panels than usual.

Summary

To keep your solar panels in good condition and operating at the optimal capacity, you should clean them regularly and maintain their sunlight exposure. Solar panels do not require much maintenance, so they are such a popular technology for homeowners looking to reduce their carbon footprint and energy consumption. Contact SolarPath today to find out more.

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The Australian Solar Industry – How Do We Compare To The Rest Of The World?
Solar Energy Today, Solar Roof Ventilation

Australia is one of the countries leading the solar charge and taking steps towards a sustainable future. We are a global leader in the photovoltaic sector, but how does its solar industry compare to the rest of the world?

Keep reading for a complete guide to the Australian solar industry, including an analysis of Australian solar panel statistics compared with other leading solar countries. Renewable energy is the only way forward should we wish to sustain our planet.

Australia’s Solar Industry

Solar and wind energy are the renewable energy sources with the highest potential to replace non-renewable energy. Petrol prices worldwide are rising, and this is placing an increased emphasis on pursuing renewable energy sources and investing in electric vehicles. Renewable energy is no longer just an environmental issue and now plays a vital role in decreasing the cost of living.

When it comes to renewable energy generation, wind power is Australia’s leading renewable energy source, making up 35.4% of the total generation. However, this is closely followed by solar energy generation, which makes up 32.9% of the total energy generation. This figure includes both small-scale solar installations, which make up 22.3%, and large-scale solar installations at 9.3%.

Solar power and wind power have the potential to power the world 100 times over, and the cost of installing renewable energy generators has plummeted, making it a more viable solution. 

Australia has a vast landscape and low population, making it viable to be powered entirely using renewable energy. Our country will also likely not have to invest in offshore wind and solar plants, as there is abundant open space to work with. The regions with the highest amount of solar radiation to be harnessed using solar panels are the northwest and central regions, primarily desert regions. 

The Australian government is committed to shifting toward solar energy, with a Clean Energy Initiative Solar Flagship Program, which has over $1.5 billion of resources to construct 4 large-scale solar power plants in Australia. Australia is showing a commendable commitment to transitioning towards more renewable energy sources to prolong the life of our planet.

Australia’s Solar Industry Compared With The World

Australia is 8th in the rankings for the countries that produce the most solar power. The countries that produce the most solar power are as follows:

1. China
2. The United States
3. Japan
4. Germany
5. India 
6. Italy
7. United Kingdom
8. Australia 
9. France
10. South Korea

China’s photovoltaic energy production makes up 3.9% of its total energy consumption. In terms of energy consumption to photovoltaic energy production ratio, Honduras and Israel are mitigating the environmental impact of their energy consumption with the most success by using solar power system. Honduras’ photovoltaic production is 14.8% of its total energy consumption, followed by Israel, where photovoltaic production is 8.7% of its total energy consumption. 

Australia’s solar energy production still has a way to go, with only 0.1% of the total energy consumption accounted for with solar energy. However, the intent and plans to improve this figure bode well for the country’s sustainable future.

In October 2021, the Australian government pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This plan involves making solar panels, solar water heaters, solar LED skylights, and solar batteries more accessible to households using grants and loans. Solar energy is a renewable energy source that is accessible individually. By opting for solar installations, Australian citizens can work to make net-zero more achievable.

Summary

Australia is displaying admirable commitment to switching to solar and wind energy production. Join the force today – get in touch with SolarPath to discuss your household solar power.

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Can I Install Solar Panels On My House? The Top Questions To Ask
The Benefits of Going Solar for Every Industry

Only 0.1% of Australia’s energy consumption is provided by photovoltaic panels. If you consider your environmental impact and the steps you can take to combat global warming, solar panels might be the answer.

You can decrease your non-renewable energy consumption by installing solar panels in your home. But, how do you know if your home is viable for solar panel installation? Keep reading for all the questions you need to ask before investing in solar panels for your home.

The Advantages Of Installing Solar Panels On Your House

There are many advantages and benefits to installing solar panels on your house, meaning you should consider installing them.

Here are some of the major advantages of using solar power in your home:

• Solar power can significantly reduce your monthly bills – when you install solar panels in your home, you reduce the amount of energy you need to buy from the grid. This means that your monthly bills are lessened.
• Solar power can make your home more sustainable – when you use solar power, you are less reliant on energy that comes from non-renewable energy sources – those that have a detrimental effect on the environment.
• You can sell power back to the grid – when you install a solar battery along with solar panels, you can store any energy you don’t use and sell it back to the national grid for extra cash.

However, before you receive these benefits from using solar power, you need to ask some questions regarding your home’s viability for solar panel installation.

Can You Install Solar Panels On Your House? Questions To Ask

Before you start your renewable energy commitment, there are a few questions you should ask to determine if your house is suitable for solar panel installation.

What Is Your Roof’s Structure?

There are many factors about your roof’s structure that will determine whether or not your roof is suitable for solar panels. These are the elements of your roof’s design to assess before considering solar panels for your home:

• Orientation – the optimal roof orientation for solar panels is either a flat roof or a north-facing angled roof.

• Roof material – you must ensure that your roof is not made with any materials containing asbestos. If your roof contains asbestos, there will be health and safety hazards that could prevent you from installing solar panels on your roof.

• Angle – the angle of your solar panels can determine how effective they will be. The sun’s rays must hit your solar panels at a perpendicular or 90-degree angle. A roof pitch of around 35 degrees is ideal for those living in Australia.

• Size – the size of your roof will determine how many solar panels you can install. If you’re looking to install many solar panels and have a primarily solar-powered home, you might struggle to do this with a small roof.

• Loft space – you will need loft space to store your solar inverter, which is responsible for converting energy from your solar panels into energy that you can use to operate lights and devices throughout your home.

Before contacting your local Sydney solar panel installer, consider whether your roof is viable for solar panel installation or whether solar power may not be suitable for your particular home structure.

Is Your Roof Exposed To Sunlight?

If your home is positioned near trees or other buildings, this could mean that there is limited light exposure to your roof. If the light is blocked during significant portions of the day, this may mean that you won’t get the best return from your solar panel investment. You may be able to rectify the issue by sawing branches from trees, but if there is a building obstructing the sunlight, there may be no way to resolve this issue.

Summary

Solar panels are an accessible power source, allowing homeowners to take responsibility for the environmental impact of their household. If your home is viable for solar panel installation, contact SolarPath – your local solar panel installation company. Let us help you on your renewable energy journey!

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Working From Home: How To Save Energy and Electricity Costs
Why is Solar Power the Logical Choice in Australia?

The good news about working from home means you can take more responsibility for your carbon footprint: you will have complete control over how much energy you use. When working from home, however, your household energy bills can increase as you use more lighting, heating, and electronics throughout the day.

Read on to learn how to be more energy efficient when working from home and stop your energy bill from rising. This guide will teach you all the tools and tips, like solar panel installation, to create a sustainable WFH lifestyle.

Tips And Tools For Working From Home Sustainably

Here are some of the simplest ways to reduce your carbon footprint and change the way you use energy when working from home. Consider which of these tools and tips fit into your current budget, and which ones will have the biggest impact on your carbon footprint.

Switch Up Your Energy Source

You can significantly reduce the carbon footprint in your home by switching to a more sustainable energy source. With the money you save on commuting to work each day, you can invest in solar panels that will help you to power your home and reduce the environmental impact of working from home. 

You can use a solar battery to store your excess power for later use or even sell it back to the grid to get the most out of your solar panels. With solar panels, you can enjoy your convenient working from home lifestyle without having to worry about your energy bills.

Use Natural Light

You will most likely need bright lighting to work productively at home. To ensure your working habits don’t come at a cost to the environment, try opening your curtains and optimising the natural light in your home. Prevent using artificial lighting that will increase your energy bill.

If you don’t have sufficient natural light in your home, you could consider installing skylights to create abundant light in your space. However, if you don’t have the space or optimal layout for a skylight, opt for an LED solar skylight to increase the light in your space the conscious way.

Go Digital And Reduce Paper Waste

Paper waste is a massive issue in offices, but you can control how much paper you use now that you’re working from home. Switching out paper for a scribe tablet will help you reduce its use in your home. You can easily make and store handwritten notes on a digital device.

Install A Smart Thermostat

Improving your home’s energy efficiency can be achieved with the installation of a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats allow you to control how long your home is heated for. They can also analyse when you will need your heating on and automatically create a heating schedule.

Switching Off Appliances

Switching off appliances around the house can help reduce your overall energy usage. Try using your devices in more thoughtful, energy-efficient ways, like only washing large loads of laundry. It can be tempting to do smaller, more manageable loads, but you will use more energy that way. Limiting your use of appliances is a budget-friendly way to reduce the carbon footprint in your home.

Summary

Working from home doesn’t have to increase your energy bills or your carbon footprint. These tools and technologies will help you to improve your energy efficiency and ease your conscience as you enjoy the convenience and comfort of the working from home lifestyle. These tools are suited to budgets of all sizes, and you can start to implement these changes slowly in accordance with your finances. For more tips, contact SolarPath, Sydney’s top solar company.

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Which Size Solar System is Best for My Home?
Myths and Facts about Solar Panel System

A solar system can reduce your carbon footprint and is an excellent step towards more sustainable living. Solar panels currently produce 6.5% of Australia’s total energy generation. The more solar panels installed, the higher this figure will become.

Are you ready to make a difference and install solar panels for your home?

This guide will show you exactly how to calculate what solar system size is right for your home, including how many panels you need. Read on to take the first step in your journey towards living greener and cleaner to sustain the planet.

Calculating Your Budget

Before calculating what solar power system size is right for your home, you should figure out how much you are willing to spend.

Suppose your budget can’t cover the costs of using solar panels to provide all the energy for your home. In that case, go for an interest-free payment plan. It’s more affordable, and you will pay less than the savings offered from the solar panels.

The panels aren’t the only factor in your budget, as you will also need a solar inverter and possibly a solar battery.

When calculating your budget, it is crucial to remember that the panels will save you money in the future on your energy bills and will add value to your home if you plan to sell later on.

Working Out Your Home’s Energy Usage

To know exactly how much energy your solar panels need to provide for your home, you need to work out your home’s current daily energy usage.

To calculate your household’s daily energy usage, you will need to look at your electricity bills. If the figure is not displayed as a daily amount, some calculations are required. If the energy usage is displayed as a monthly amount, you should divide this figure by 30 to gain an average for your daily energy usage.

Working Out Your Daily Target For Energy

Some days you may use more energy than others, so your solar panels must provide enough power to account for the days when you use more energy. In addition to this, your solar panels may be exposed to more sunlight depending on the day and the season. 

For this reason, you should ensure that your daily energy target is around 25% higher than your daily energy usage. This means that you shouldn’t run out of power if you use more energy than usual or if there isn’t as much sun exposure on that day.

How Many Panels Will You Need?

The quality of your solar panels is an essential factor in determining how many solar panels you will need for your home. The amount of sunlight you receive is also an important factor. To calculate the number of panels you will need, you first need to divide the hourly energy usage of your home by your daily energy usage in kWh. Then, times this figure by 1000 to estimate the watt usage.

To get an estimate for how many panels you will need, divide the hourly energy usage of your home by the wattage of your solar panels. The wattage of your solar panels depends on the quality and type of solar panels you choose.

Once you have these estimates, you can get in touch with your installer, who will verify your calculations and determine how many panels can be placed on your roof. The installer will calculate the angles that your panels should be placed at for optimal energy output and ensure your calculations are correct.

Summary

Once you have made your calculations, you should call up your local Sydney solar panel installer and start planning your solar panel installation. Installing solar panels provides an excellent return on your investment, adding value to your home and saving you money on electricity bills. In addition to these benefits, you will also be taking better care of this planet we call home. Get in touch with the friendly SolarPath team today for more information.

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What Is A Solar Battery, And Why Do I Need One?
Common Advantages of Installing Solar Panel System for Your Property

Solar panels are a popular method of providing free and sustainable energy for the household. There are over 23 million solar panels installed in homes across Australia. But did you know that solar panels can be made even more efficient using solar batteries?

Keep reading to learn about solar batteries, including the benefits you can receive from adding a solar battery to your solar system. This guide will discuss solar batteries costs and energy capabilities, giving you all the information you need before investing in this solar addition.

What Is A Solar Battery? 

A solar battery is an accessory and addition to the solar power system. Solar batteries are essentially a battery where the power generated from solar panels is stored. Often referred to as home batteries, solar batteries can store energy to be used at a later time, should the solar panels break or their output be reduced by weather conditions, etc. The solar panels charge up the batteries, and the energy remains in the solar battery for use.

Energy is stored in a solar battery either as:

• Direct current (DC) – this is the state of the energy before it reaches the solar inverter. If you have a system that pays incentives for generation, then you may suffer losses with a DC system.
• Alternating current (AC) – this is the state of the energy after it has passed through the solar inverter.

Why Is A Solar Battery Useful? 

There are several benefits to installing a solar battery in the solar system for your home’s energy supply. These benefits include:

• The ability to store energy surplus – you can use it later rather than exporting it.
• You can sell the energy in your solar battery back to the grid for a small profit.
• You will reduce your energy bills.
• You will be granted an energy supply that is independent of the national grid.

The downside to solar batteries lies in their high upfront costs. 

How Much Does A Solar Battery Cost? 

The amount you spend on a solar battery depends on which brand you go for. Some other factors affecting the price of a solar battery include:

• The battery life cycle – how long the battery is expected to last.
• The storage capacity – how much energy you can store in the solar battery.
• The percentage of the solar battery’s storage capacity that you can use.
• The materials used and the design of the solar battery.

How Much Energy Can You Store In A Solar Battery?

Solar batteries are available in many different capacities. The energy stored in a solar battery is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).

Solar batteries can usually store up to 15kWh, depending on the model. This figure can be increased by adding modules to the solar battery. For some perspective, a washing machine uses 2.25 kWh per hour on average.

The amount of energy you wish to store in your solar battery is customisable, depending on both your needs and your budget. This energy can be used at night when the sun isn’t shining and can come in handy when the season changes and the nights become longer.

Summary

A solar battery requires upfront costs but can infinitely improve the efficiency of your solar system. Having the option to store excess power for later use or sell energy back to the grid allows for more flexibility with how you use the energy generated from your solar panels. Solar batteries are instrumental in allowing households to maintain their energy independence and drastically reduce their carbon footprint after solar panel installation. Contact SolarPath to find out more.

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How Do I Calculate My Carbon Footprint? (And Why Does It Matter?)
How Solar Energy Benefits the Local Economy

Calculating your carbon footprint is incredibly interesting, highlighting the areas where your energy usage is wasteful and pointing out areas to save money. Climate change is happening, and we must be more eco-conscious moving forward.

So, how do you calculate your carbon footprint?

This article will cover the main benefits of calculating your carbon footprint and the methods to do this.

Why Should I Calculate My Carbon Footprint?

Calculating your current carbon footprint is the first step towards implementing change in your home to reduce your carbon footprint and live a more eco-conscious lifestyle. 

The calculation looks at the amount of carbon your home produces and the cost of your lighting and heating. A complete analysis of your home’s carbon footprint allows you to evaluate areas where you could save money and also reduce your environmental impact. 

For example, suppose your house has sparse natural light, meaning you use more artificial lighting. In that case, you can consider installing skylights or solar LED skylights to provide more light without a cost to the environment, which will also reduce your monthly energy bills.

Which Factors Affect My Carbon Footprint?

If you want to calculate your carbon footprint, you need to be aware of all the factors that make up your overall carbon footprint. These factors include:

• Your energy usage – this includes your heating and electricity usage.
• Emissions from your vehicles
• Your meat consumption
• How often do you eat at restaurants?
• How much food do you waste?
• How often do you buy locally sourced food?
• How often do you fly?
• How often do you make new purchases (clothes, furniture, appliances)?
• Your home’s recycling plan

How To Calculate Your Carbon Footprint

Many websites offer questionnaires for you to calculate your carbon footprint. The questions are geared towards the factors affecting your carbon footprint and offer a more general or specific calculation based on your energy meter reports.

Try using the WWF carbon footprint calculator for a more general report and a questionnaire that is easy to fill out.

Or, if you want to get specific about your household energy usage and have figures for each category of your carbon footprints like gas, electric, and waste, try using the Carbon Neutral carbon footprint calculator.

How To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

You can make thousands of changes around your home to reduce your carbon footprint. 

If you want to reduce the carbon footprint caused by your energy consumption, consider installing solar panels. Solar panels can offer you free and clean energy, eliminating a huge chunk of your carbon footprint. Or, if you wish to reduce the emissions caused by your hot water consumption, think about switching to a solar water heater. 

As mentioned earlier, try using solar lighting solutions, like solar LED skylights to light your home more sustainably. For more information on solar solutions for your home, contact SolarPath today.

Some other ways you can reduce your household carbon footprint are:

• Reducing your household waste – try recycling more (and doing this properly), reducing your consumption of single-use plastic, shopping at plastic-free farmer’s markets, and using a compost bin for your food waste.
• Reducing your meat consumption – try some vegan or vegetarian recipes! Or, try to consume white meat that has a lower environmental impact than fish or red meat.
• Using public transport and cycling more often.

Summary

If you’re looking to calculate your household’s carbon footprint, then being aware of your current carbon emissions is a great start. The figures you gain will tell you which areas of your daily life consume the most energy and have the most significant carbon output. 

These figures will point out where you should start when changing towards a more eco-conscious lifestyle. One of the easiest ways to reduce a substantial amount of your household’s carbon output is by switching to solar panels for your heating, lighting, and electricity needs.

The future rests in our hands, and we must all remain accountable and switch to cleaner energy solutions to preserve our planet. Chat to the friendly SolarPath team to learn more.

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Are Solar Panels A Good Investment For Your Property?
Make Your Home More Energy Efficient with Skylight Installation

Skylights can improve the way your home looks, providing over 3 times more natural light than vertical windows to create a clean and fresh feel in your home.

But did you know they can also help reduce your household’s carbon footprint? Read on as we discuss the energy-efficient benefits that make skylights a significant design element and investment for your home.

The Ways Skylights Work To Improve The Energy Efficiency Of Your Home

Skylights can improve your home’s energy efficiency and save you money by reducing energy costs.

Lighting

Skylights allow an abundance of natural light to enter your home, reducing the need to use artificial lighting during the day. To ensure you get the maximum light out of your skylights, you should logically place them based on direction rather than aesthetic value.

Your skylights will benefit you more if they face a northern direction. If you place your windows in a southern direction, this will provide additional heat and light during the winter months. Skylights facing east or west can provide ample lighting but not as much heat as south-facing windows in the winter.

Heating

Given you use insulated wood, fibreglass, or vinyl window frames and double-paned windows, your skylights can reduce heat loss in your home and improve the insulation of your roof. If you opt for aluminium or steel framing or single-paned windows, your skylights will be relatively inefficient when it comes to keeping your home warm.

During the summer months, you can save on the cost of air conditioning and provide ventilation to stop your home from getting humid, keeping your space cool, bright, and fresh. Skylights provide both heating and cooling functions that can significantly reduce the cost of your energy bills.

Cleaner Air

Mould and mildew can be unsightly and costly to remove and remedy. If you install skylights in darker and more humid areas of your home, you can reduce dampness and allow greater airflow into the room. Airflow is critical in reducing the risk of mould and mildew building up and creating cleaner air to make spaces more breathable.

Mould removal can be expensive – ranging from anywhere between $500-$4,000 – so you will benefit from taking preventative measures and installing skylights in any dark areas in your home.

Adding Space

If you are looking to make your home appear more spacious, you can save on the cost of an extension by installing skylights. On top of the significant cost, an extension can cause inconvenience, making your house a building site for many months. Skylight installation is much simpler and uses fewer materials. Lower your carbon footprint while giving your home the added space and dimension you desire.

How To Maximise The Efficiency Of Your Skylights

You can take certain steps to ensure your skylights are adding to your home’s energy efficiency. These steps include:

• Adding blinds to your skylight – doing this will ensure that your skylights aren’t warmed by the sun in the summer, adding extra heat to your home.
• Ensuring your skylight is made from energy-efficient materials – ensure that your skylights provide insulation. Avoid steel or aluminium frames and ensure that the skylights are correctly installed without creating any drafts, which could cause heat loss.

If you don’t have the home layout for skylights, consider installing solar skylights that provide additional LED lighting for your home using purely solar energy. LED solar skylights make a suitable and sustainable alternative to traditional skylights.

Summary

Skylights aren’t just an attractive feature in your home. They can provide additional heating, lighting, and airflow that will save you money on costs like energy bills and mould removal. Invest in skylights if you are looking for a way to naturally light your home and offer better airflow without increasing your carbon footprint. Contact SolarPath today to speak to our experts about installing skylights or solar panels in your home.

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How Does Solar Power Compare To Other Renewables?
Are Solar Panels A Good Investment For Your Property?

Suppose you’re thinking of joining over 3 million households in Australia in using solar power to reduce your carbon footprint. You may be asking the question: is solar power the superior option when it comes to renewable energy?

This guide has everything you need to know about how solar power holds up compared to other renewables. Read on to understand the most common renewable power options available today and evaluate these energy sources compared to solar power.

What Are Your Renewable Power Options?

When you embark upon your renewable energy journey, your first task is to do your research. This list offers you an understanding of your options and their efficiency, including wind energy and hydro energy.

Wind Energy

Wind energy can be a sustainable option for the home and contribute to the national grid, but this depends on many factors.

To determine whether wind energy is a viable option for your area, you must first evaluate the amount of wind at your site and the paybacks of installing a system in this location.

Wind energy has the benefits of low greenhouse gas emission, free energy, and low operation costs. But, one of the critical flaws of a wind energy system is its unpredictability. The wind is less consistent than sunlight, so solar power provides more consistent energy outputs.

Wind energy is viable for domestic use but heavily depends on the weather and location to provide a stable energy output. Solar panel and solar skylights are more feasible options for domestic use.

Hydro Energy

Hydro energy works well on its own and is often paired with other renewable energy sources to meet peak energy demand. It causes no pollution and limits greenhouse gases.

However, hydro energy requires one crucial element for its operation – local hydrology. Hydro energy first requires a river, and you will also need an alternative power source should there be a drought that decreases the volume of water in your rivers.

On the other hand, when using solar energy, you will not experience the complete halt in energy production that droughts cause in hydro energy plants. Solar power is more versatile, also, as it does not require a water source – this is what makes it a more accessible power source, particularly for domestic use.

Tidal Energy

Tidal energy has zero carbon emissions and is a highly reliable source of energy. It is not affected by droughts and so proves a superior option to hydropower.

However, tidal energy has limited site availability and cannot be used in non-coastal locations, making it less viable than solar power installed in any area.

Biomass Energy

Biomass energy can reduce waste in landfills and provide a renewable and reliable energy source. However, considering the space required for a biomass energy site, along with the potential deforestation and water usage required to grow plants for biomass energy, it isn’t without significant environmental impact.

Though biomass energy can provide consistent energy production to compete with solar power, the environmental impact it causes is less than ideal. Solar panels and solar inverters do not require water usage or cause deforestation.

Other Energy Sources

Some other energy resources to mention include geothermal power, which requires volcanic and geothermal elements in the landscape, making it less available to be used on a wider scale. Hydrogen power is another energy source to mention here, which is relatively inefficient in nature as it requires hydrogen to be created – requiring energy itself.

Summary

Though there are many forms of renewable energy, solar power is the most widely available energy source and the most viable for domestic use via solar panel installation. Contact the friendly SolarPath team today to learn more about harnessing solar energy for your home or business.

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7 Switches to Help Minimise the Carbon Footprint of Home Appliances
Solar panels Sydney: Cleaning to keep them running
Are Solar Panels A Good Investment For Your Property?

What are the top appliances that increase your household’s carbon footprint? Your fridge-freezer, electric hob, and electric tumble dryer each cause over 100kg of CO2 to be released per year.

These household items are a necessity, and avoiding their use would be too inconvenient. So, how can you reduce your carbon footprint when using home appliances?

This guide will teach you how to purchase home appliances and make adequate household changes to reduce your carbon footprint so you can take responsibility and reduce the environmental impact of your daily life.

How can I minimise the carbon footprint of my home appliances?

To help you reduce your environmental impact, here is a list of home appliances ranging from big to small.

Water Heater

One of the largest users of electricity in the home is the water heater. If you switch out for a solar-powered water heater, you can severely reduce your household’s environmental impact.

Choose between a roof-mounted heater or a ground-mounted heater, depending upon your household’s requirements. Once set up, the hot water you receive from your solar water heater will be completely free with no consequence to the environment.

Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat controls the internal climate in your home using wifi to make your home more energy-efficient. It also allows you to remotely control your heaters to make sure you’re not wasting energy while you’re not at home.

An Electric Kettle

If you’re not using an electric kettle already, it’s time to make the switch. Electric kettles are temperature controlled, meaning they don’t waste extra energy when the water has reached the right temperature. When you use a stovetop kettle, you waste gas or energy as the heat continues to be produced after the water boils.

Energy Efficient Washing Machine and Tumble Dryer

By opting for an energy-efficient washing machine and tumble dryer, you will reduce the carbon footprint of your most significant carbon-using appliances.

Energy Star certified washing machines could offer you clean laundry using up to 35% less water and 20% less energy than standard washing machines.

LED Light Bulbs

These light bulbs will help you reduce the impact of providing light in your home, which is an absolute necessity.

Suppose you are curious about providing light in your home without environmental impact. In that case, consider adding solar LED skylights – an LED solution for when your home doesn’t have a viable location for a regular skylight.

An Induction Stove

As discussed earlier, electric hobs can cause over 100 kg of CO2 per year to be released into the earth’s atmosphere.

You can reduce this amount by switching to an induction stove that takes less time to heat up and conserves energy by only heating food up when placed on the stove. This will allow you to cook without worrying about using too much gas and electricity.

Or, Just Switch Your Power Source

You can provide energy for all your home appliances in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way, reducing your carbon footprint for all devices. Do this by opting for solar panel installation for your entire home.

The best part? All of your energy is free, so you can make your money back when investing in solar panels.

You can pair a solar power system with energy-saving devices to make the most of your free energy resource and use a solar battery to ensure you have a reserve of power should you experience lower energy input.

Summary

If you are interested in reducing your carbon footprint and taking better care of the earth to preserve it for generations to come, you should invest in these home appliance switches.

For further information about reducing your household’s carbon footprint, contact SolarPath, which will provide you with solutions for your energy consumption. Ensure that your water usage and energy usage don’t cost the environment.

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Are Solar Panels A Good Investment For Your Property?
Solar Energy: Affordable and Clean Source Of Power
Benefits of Installing Solar Panels on Your Home