Is Solar Energy Renewable or Nonrenewable?

With growing awareness of the impact our actions have on the environment, homeowners like you are starting to look for cleaner, more renewable energy sources. Switching to solar energy can be a great way to decrease your carbon footprint, and help fight climate change. Despite this, many often wonder how sustainable solar energy can be, and whether or not it’s truly a reliable source.

At first glance, you may think solar energy can only be harnessed on clear, sunny days. In reality, that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Understanding Energy Sources and What Makes Them Renewable or Nonrenewable

Renewable energy, also called clean energy, comes from naturally replenished resources like the sun, wind, water, wood, natural gas, and more. In many ways, tapping into these energy sources is the next logical extension of using natural elements to improve our everyday lives. For years, we’ve used fire to warm our homes, light our paths, and cook our food. We’ve used water to rinse wounds, clothes, ourselves, and more.

Despite the many practical uses for renewable energy sources, we’ve historically relied on nonrenewable sources because they’re cheaper and easier to use. Nonrenewable energy uses limited sources like coal, gas, and oil. Fossil fuels can’t be naturally replenished with time, and are often found in very specific parts of the world. This can lead to some countries having more of a monopoly on these resources.

The Difference Between Renewable and Nonrenewable Sources

Because renewable energy uses naturally occurring and replenished sources, they are an infinite resource we can use without fear of scarcity and environmental damage. They reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions released into and trapped within our atmosphere. With fossil fuels being so integrated into our everyday lives, we’ve drastically increased the amount of emissions that would normally impact our climate.

Add to this constant deforestation and industrialized processes like cement and chemical manufacturing, and the concentration of greenhouse gas emissions is continuing to skyrocket. Although nonrenewable sources are cheaper than their renewable counterparts, they’re not sustainable in the long run. They’re a finite source, and once gone we’ll be unable to power the technology that relies on them.

Innovating existing technology to be compatible with renewable energy is a better, more sustainable option for the future.

Is Solar Energy Renewable or Nonrenewable?

The short answer? Yes, solar energy is renewable.

The long answer? Solar energy is an abundant resource that converts sunlight into electricity or heat, without shortening the sun’s life cycle or causing excessive environmental damage. As long as the sun exists, and nothing blocks the light from reaching the solar-powered device, there will always be an abundance of energy ready to be harnessed.

Are Solar Panels Reliable?

Although many believe solar energy can only be used when on bright, sunny days, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Having a solar battery backup system allows you to use the energy you need to charge your home, while storing the excess energy for use at a later date. This stored energy can keep your lights on and devices active at night, during power outages, on overcast days, and more.

At Solar Energy World, we offer a 30-year manufacturer’s warranty on all solar panels, inverters, service-related issues, rodent-related issues, and more. If your purchased system doesn’t live up to at least 90% of its projected production in its first year, we’ll reimburse double the production difference.

Aren’t Solar Panels Expensive?

Solar panels can have a high upfront price tag, but you don’t have to foot the bill alone. There are ample solar incentives available, like the federal investment tax credit (TIC) and state tax credits, that can help cover some installation costs. You can also enroll in solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) or net metering programs to lower your monthly utility costs.

We also offer financing options to make switching to renewable energy even more affordable and accessible for homeowners like you.

How Green is Solar Power?

Solar energy is one of the greenest energy sources around since it releases smaller amounts of pollutants than fossil fuels. This improves the overall air quality, limits the amount of impurities we inhale, and can reduce the risk of developing a respiratory disorder.

Solar panels have a much longer lifespan compared to traditional power sources, meaning they produce clean energy for a longer period of time. Switching to solar power, allows you to invest in your home, save on your utilities, and contribute to a cleaner, greener planet.

Solar panels can be made of silicon, glass, aluminum, silver, polymers, and more. Silicon is one of the most common materials used to create solar panels due to its abundance, durability, and long lifecycle. More efforts are being made to reduce the amount of silver used in producing solar panels, and focus more on recycled aluminum.

Once a solar panel stops working, a company may choose to collect and recycle it for you and recover its composite materials to reduce the amount of waste produced. These materials can then be recycled into brand new solar panels.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the ideal recycling process recovers as much useable material from the solar panels as possible, and follows three simple steps:

1. Remove the frame and junction box
2. Separate the glass from the silicon wafer with thermal, mechanical, or chemical processes
3. Separate and purify the silicon cells and specialty metals through chemical and electrical techniques

Unlocking the Benefits of Solar Energy for Your Home

Renewable fuel sources, like solar energy, are viable, safe, and sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. They allow us to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve our air quality, slow climate change, and create a healthier, greener planet for the next generation.

Solar energy offers a reliable, stable energy supply regardless of the weather, and allows homeowners to become independent of traditional energy power grids. With various solar incentives to choose from, making the switch to solar options can be accessible across the nation. Ready to make the switch to solar energy? Schedule your FREE consultation with us today!