Blog
5 Uses for Solar Panels
When it comes to solar energy, most people picture using the sun to power their household’s electricity. However, there are many uses for solar energy besides just powering your home’s electricity. Bison Roofing and Solar wants to introduce to our community the other uses for solar energy that may also benefit you in your transition to renewable energy.
Uses for Solar Panels in Improving Your Home
As discussed, Solar energy is most commonly known as alternative energy to power your home’s electricity. However, there are plenty more household uses for solar panels…
- Increase Your Home’s Resale Value
As you invest anything into your home, you would appreciate it increasing the value of your home for when the time comes to sell. Solar panels have the potential to increase your home’s resale value. Solar panels are a guaranteed return on investment. According to the Wall Street Journal, “researchers concluded that solar-energy systems owned by the homeowner are likely to increase the value of the home by about the amount the system cost.”
- Decrease Your Household Water Bill
According to the Department of Energy (DOE), “Solar water heating systems cost more to purchase and install than conventional water heating systems. However, a solar water heater can usually save you money in the long run.” The use of solar panels can decrease your home’s water utility bill. A less expensive water bill will return the initial investment into solar panels as “on average, if you install a solar water heater, your water heating bills should drop 50%–80%,” as provided by the DOE.
- Heat Your Home’s Pool
Solar energy can be used to heat your home’s swimming pool. According to the Department of Energy, “a solar connector can be installed through which pool water is circulated to be heated by the sun.” Compared to a conventional pool heater, the DOE has concluded that “solar pool heating is one of the most cost-effective uses of solar energy in some climates.”
Alternative Uses for Solar Panels in Your Day-to-Day Life
- Charge Your Electric Vehicle
Your electric vehicle can use solar energy to charge. The Solar Learning Center describes using solar energy to charge your electric vehicle as a “next level life hack for saving money, bypassing public charging, and all but eliminating your carbon footprint.” Aside from the convenience of charging your vehicle right at your own home, Solar Learning Center also provides the statistics that charging an electric vehicle with solar is:
- 51% cheaper than charging on grid power
- 80% cheaper than charging on public chargers
- 81% cheaper than filling up a 30 mpg car at $4 per gallon
The DOE also points out that using solar energy to charge your electric vehicle provides protection as “the sun is free, you’re protected from future fuel shortages and price hikes.”
Uses for Solar Panels in Increasing Your Home’s Security
Since solar energy is an endlessly renewable resource, it provides more security than traditional non-renewable resources.
- Increase Your Home’s Security Lighting
You may have noticed that street signs which show your current speed limit (and maybe even tell you to slow down) are powered by an attached solar panel. The concept of an attached solar panel applies to the security lighting in the landscaping in your front yard, backyard, and outside of your home. No matter the circumstances, like power outages, your home’s security lights will be available.
Solar energy has the potential to enhance your life in many ways besides the most commonly known uses for solar panels. With the help of solar panels, you can improve your household’s efficiency and value.
The Bison Roofing and Solar team is ready to help you transition to Solar energy. We create personalized plans for each client to satisfy your interests and needs. We have installed Solar for over 500 satisfied clients and are proud of our 4.7 Google Rating. Contact us today to learn more about how Solar can benefit your household!
