Here Comes the Sun
Want to get rid of your energy bill, help the planet, and maybe even make some money along the way? Look no further than solar panels.
Even if a solar system provides for just half of your home energy needs, you’ll be cutting your sulfur dioxide emissions by half a ton, nitrogen oxide by a third of a ton and carbon dioxide by 100 tons. That’s a lot of tonnage of good.
And, even though solar falls into the category of an “energy solution,” you’ll be saving water, too. Conventional electricity production can require up to 800 gallons of water per each converted megawatt hour of power; solar only requires around 20.
Oh, and the installation of solar panels also increases the value of your home.
But, isn’t solar super expensive? The availability of solar as a viable power source has expanded greatly. Not only has the price of solar decreased exponentially, but tax credits and rebates are widespread.
It’s important to remember that solar power is far from a perfect energy solution. Creating panels requires intensive mining and energy use (although little in comparison to fossil fuels).
If disposed of improperly, solar panels can cause wide-ranging contamination and pollution (though ingenious new solutions for recycling old solar panel systems are being prototyped right here in Los Angeles County).
In any case, we can never take energy that’s processed outside of natural systems for granted. We have to look at entire cycles of production to ensure long-term, environmental sustainability.
Despite the setbacks, the prognostic for solar energy remains overwhelmingly positive. Especially when the intense negatives of fossil fuels are taken into account, the sun really has never shined so brightly.
Learn more ways to save on power with LADWP.
Learn more about the assumptions behind Magenta House water and power savings calculations.
DETAILS
Upgrade: Solar Power
Goal: Equip house with solar panels.
Potential Savings*: High degree of variance, ranges from the whole to part of your current power bill.
Skill level: ★★★
SAVINGS*
Savings on solar power vary greatly depending on the region in which you live and the amount of sun you’re getting there. Solar energy can virtually wipe out your power bill or just decrease it significantly...depending on what and how much you do.
But here are some facts you can mull over:
Over the lifetime of a 6 KW system (assuming a 20-25 year lifespan), savings in the Los Angeles area can be as high as $40,000.
Even in cold and grey areas like Chicago, savings can amount to some $21,000.
And if you produce more electricity than you use, it can actually make you money.
