When people think about causes of pollution, usually the first thing that comes to mind is emissions from our cars. We know that burning gasoline is a big source of C02, but what about our homes?
Well, it turns out that our homes account for about half of our carbon footprint. Our electricity needs account for a large part of the C02 emissions in the air. 70% of U.S. electricity produced is derived from the burning of fossil fuels. Only 12% of the energy we get from PG&E comes from clean, renewable sources that don't impact the environment severely. Every time we turn on the coffee maker, flick on the light switch, watch the big plasma TV or run the microwave, we are using dirty power.
Solar power can make a big difference. We know that we need electricity, but why not harvest it right from our roofs? It's clean, local, low maintenance and even costs less per kilowatt hour than PG&E power when we are spending $150 per month or more on our power.
Many speak of energy sources such as coal and other fossil fuels as being inexpensive and plentiful. That sort of statement doesn't take into account the health costs of dirty air, the resources expended to mine and drill, refine, burn, generate and deliver these nonrenewable, polluting energy sources.
Our home's solar power system(see picture above) is expected to generate 8,300 kWh of electric power and provide a reduction of 6,700 lbs. of C02 emissions every year. That's just one house, one family. Imagine how much we could do if we all went solar!
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