Exploring the Environmental Impact of Residential Solar Roofing
Solar roofing systems generate clean, renewable energy to minimize your reliance on the grid and reduce utility bills over time. Additionally, homes with solar panels can increase resale value over time.
Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Residential solar energy helps decrease greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and moves homes towards a self-sufficient, environmentally conscious homeownership model. It also lowers your utility bills and protects your home from the ever-increasing price of electricity from the public power grid. According to experts such as Sunstyle Solar Shingles, many rooftop solar systems can be paired with battery storage technology. This allows you to store any excess energy produced and use it at night or during a power outage. The energy that isn’t used can also be sold back to the grid according to your local net metering guidelines for credit.
Throughout the lifespan of a typical residential solar system, it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 560,000 pounds of CO2 equivalents.
Reduces Water Consumption
Solar energy is not only good for the environment; it’s a smart financial decision for homeowners. With reduced technology prices, innovative financing, and various tax incentives, residential solar systems are more affordable than ever. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy doesn’t pollute our water supplies. Instead, solar power reduces the need to mine and drill for fossil fuels that create air pollution and put stress on our water resources.
Many utility-scale power plants use large amounts of water for cooling purposes. This can affect the availability of fresh groundwater for communities and ecosystems that depend on it for sustenance and habitation.
Solar shingles, or building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roof tiles, act like traditional asphalt or slate shingles but produce electricity from sunlight. They use the same technology as standard solar panels but have a unique design that allows them to absorb more sun rays without adding extra solar panel arrays.
Reduces Air Pollution
Residential solar roofing is an environmentally-friendly solution for homeowners and businesses. The technology reduces air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels in coal, natural gas, and oil power plants. The systems also reduce the amount of hazardous waste created during mining and combustion processes. Air pollution is linked to various health issues, including asthma and lung diseases. Studies have shown that many deaths are caused by particulate matter air pollution. Using roof-integrated solar energy allows a household to be self-sufficient and reduce its dependence on traditional electricity sources. Homeowners can store excess energy in batteries or feed it into the grid, earning credits and financial compensation through net metering programs. This allows a household to produce energy even during blackouts or other emergencies.
Increases Resale Value
Residential solar roofing is not only a great investment for homeowners, but it can also help increase the resale value of a home. According to a study by the Berkeley Lab, home buyers are willing to pay an average of $15,000 more for a solar powered-home than comparable homes without a solar power system. Additionally, a rooftop solar energy system can protect homeowners financially against unpredictable electricity rates. High electricity prices can be a significant financial burden for many consumers, whether due to climate change-driven wildfires, extreme melt events, or heat waves. Many solar roofing options also include built-in battery storage. This allows solar homeowners to reserve electricity produced but not consumed at night or during high consumption. Moreover, this energy can be sold back to the electric grid by local net metering rules.
