Environmental concerns are becoming more and more prevalent to the average homeowner. Global warming is an entity that we no longer have the privilege to ignore, and with that energy costs are slowly rising. To combat this, there are small-scale changes one can make, such as limiting shower times and water usage, turning off lights diligently and planting more trees around your home. But what about large scale change? If you’re serious about both saving the planet and cutting the costs of your energy bills, investing in solar energy for your home may be the solution. In the past 15 years, solar energy use has increased in homes by 20% every year. Here are some facts on solar energy and how it can dramatically improve your home’s energy efficiency.

What is solar energy?
Solar energy harnesses the power of the sun, the cleanest and most efficient energy there is. Solar energy can be used for a number of things, including generating electricity and water heating.

How does solar energy technology work?
Solar energy uses something called Solar photovoltaic to convert solar energy to electricity. When solar panels are installed on a home or business, the energy from the PV energy is converted to electricity, powering its electricity and water heating.

What are the benefits of solar energy?
There are many benefits to solar energy technology. With the rise of solar energy installations in homes and businesses, The Solar Foundation’s Solar Job Census found that with nearly 143,000 solar worked in the US, there was a near 20% increase in employment totals in 2012. Solar energy is also clean, meaning it doesn’t produce any pollution and doesn’t negatively affect the environment. This makes solar energy technology the best and more energy efficient way to power your home. And while you can feel good on reducing your ecological footprint, you can also pad your bank account at the same time. Investing in solar energy technology can cut electricity, heating and cooling costs; in fact, many states and counties offer rebates to those who invest in solar energy.