For those who think solar can’t work in the north, if you think it’s too cloudy and gloomy, you’d be surprised. Turns out, Seattle City Light customers are installing solar equipment on their homes and businesses in greater numbers every year. While they are known for their rainy and cloudy skies, Seattle actually receives more sunlight than Germany, the world’s leading solar market.

Solar energy to produce electricity or heat water

According to the article, Solar Electric Systems, “convert sunlight directly into electricity you can use in your home or business.” When you use solar, you pay less for the electricity you receive from the electricity company. And, if your system produces more electricity than you need at any given time, it supplies the grid, spinning your utility meter backward, a process called “net metering.”

Solar Hot Water Systems use the free heat from the sun to preheat water before it enters your conventional water heater. So again, with a solar water heater, you’ll pay less for the electricity or natural gas you normally use to heat your water.

Is Solar Right for You?

While the initial cost can be daunting, many states, cities, and counties off incentives. And remember, at some point, the electricity company will be paying YOU. But, does installing a solar system on your property or at your business make sense for you? If you can answer yes to these questions, it does:

  • you own your home or commercial property
  • you have a suitable shade-free area for solar collectors (such as roof space in sound condition)
  • you’re ready to make a long-term investment to reduce your environmental impact

However, whether it’s the cost or access to a sunny space, solar energy doesn’t work on every home. But, what if we could use it everywhere it DID work? What if we could cut our dependence on oil and fracking and use the sun?

 

Source: Seattle.gov