| Are you interested in getting the electric company to | | | | Columbia that have some kind of net metering in place. |
| pay you? If so, here are 5 facts about solar energy | | | | You can look up the renewable energy incentives in |
| that should help you make the decision about whether | | | | your area on DSIRE (database of state incentives for |
| to go green. | | | | renewable energy). |
| 1) Save Money. Most of us spend around $3600 a | | | | 4) Live Anywhere. No matter where you live (except |
| year on electricity. By making your own small solar | | | | in a cave) you can build your own solar panels and |
| panels you can easily stop spending this $3600 a year | | | | use them for residential energy. This means that you |
| and start putting it away towards something more | | | | can live in third world countries, and produce your own |
| beneficial to you, and your family. | | | | electricity. You do not have to be hooked up to any |
| 2) Stop Pollution. The energy you use now puts more | | | | grid system. You don't have to worry that your lights |
| CO2 in the air. This is what is contributing to global | | | | will go out due to bad weather. You will be self |
| warming. You would have to make 3-4 solar panels in | | | | sufficient as far as energy goes. |
| order to be completely off the grid. By doing this you | | | | You might be wondering based on your location if you |
| will no longer have to worry about your own carbon | | | | can build solar panels that will work. The truth of the |
| footprints and you will stop contributing to global | | | | matter is solar power has been used in arctic areas |
| warming. | | | | such as the north and south poles, so there is no need |
| 3) Get Paid. In some states your electric company has | | | | to worry about this. |
| to pay for electricity you send back to them, this is | | | | 5) Great Power. Solar energy has come a long way. |
| called net metering. You could save your excess | | | | Cars can even be powered by solar cells. They do |
| energy by having your own solar batteries, or you | | | | tend to be slower and run out of power a lot faster |
| could use it for this purpose. The electric company will | | | | than fuel vehicles but they have come a long way. |
| send you a check in the mail, instead of a bill. Money | | | | Solar energy can be used to fully run your home. Any |
| might be the one of the most beneficial of all facts | | | | appliances you that are electric can easily be used |
| about solar energy. | | | | with home solar power from your own solar panels. |
| There are actually 44 states including the District of | | | | |