Reducing and eliminating dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels like oil, coal and natural gas and switching to solar energy options helps to strengthen communities in unique and meaningful ways. Every community gets enough sun to utilize solar power, and the right technology exists right now to enable communities to take advantage of the benefits of green renewable energy. So step into the light with five more compelling reasons communities should go solar.
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1. Solar Energy Projects Create Jobs
Developing solar energy projects and sites can have positive impacts on community by creating jobs and stimulating local economies. Labor-intensive solar projects can utilize labor and resources available in local markets to clean up future solar sites like abandoned mines and build solar power plants and solar arrays. The staffing of operational sites also creates opportunities for local jobs. In turn, job creation creates strong and secure economies.
2. Solar Energy Projects Increase Revenue Streams
As solar sites and green energy projects come to communities, local economies see an influx of tax revenue from incoming energy developers, companies, investors, new employees and industrial plants. Landowners hosting solar installations can see increased revenue through land lease agreements. Communities struggling with stagnancy can turn to solar project strategies for revitalization of economies. Renewable energy policy incentives like renewable energy credits (RECs) and business energy tax credits (also known as ITCs or Investment Tax Credits) provide additional financial motivation for communities to take advantage of solar energy strategies.
3. Solar Energy Reduces Pollution
Solar energy is a renewable green resource, which means that it is a naturally replenishing energy supply that has a low impact on the environment. Green energy harnessed through solar panels is a clean process that generates none of the polluting effects derived from extracting and burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. Solar energy plants do not emit greenhouse gasses like methane or carbon dioxide and do not contribute to global warming. Communities are cleaner, healthier and experience an increased quality of life by using solar power.
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4. Solar Energy Promotes Independence
Solar energy is found everywhere the sun shines, making it possible for every community to take advantage of its brilliant resource. Unlike coal, oil and natural gas, which may be mined and harvested from sites in economically and politically unstable areas, solar energy is abundant and accessible for anyone with a solar panel. The reduction of the dependency on fossil fuels promotes independence and freedom of choice on an international, national, state and local level. More and more regions are seeing competitive solar markets crop up as solar technology gains traction from communities experiencing its tremendous benefits.
5. Solar Energy Promotes Stability and Security
Traditional fossil fuel energy sources are often subjected to volatile price shifts in regions during times of political, economic and environmental instability. As non-renewable energy sources are depleted, users will have to pay more for electricity derived from fossil fuels. Uncontrollable and unanticipated disruptions in markets may even make electricity unavailable to consumers, having dire financial impacts on industry and detrimentally affecting the quality of life of citizens.
In stark contrast to non-renewable fossil fuels, once solar technology is built and installed, it has virtually zero increased fixed costs. The solar energy source is continually and naturally replenished. Solar energy availability is absolved from international and economic conflict and not exposed to price volatility. Communities will always be able to securely harness and utilize the resource at a stable price. Solar energy can also help communities with existing fossil fuel structures to offset peak electricity loads. Declining solar panel prices are also providing real solutions to localities interested in investing green technology.