Why Solar Roofing Matters So Much

Why Solar Roofing and Green Technology Make a Difference

This is a Guest Post by Matthew Smithsson

From dangerous carbon emissions to heaps of unused plastic floating across the Pacific, it is clear that we have made a mess of our planet.

Admitting our mistakes and becoming aware of our wrong-doings, there is still hope however, as with new technology come new opportunities for us to do our part to ensure our world’s future.

Reducing or reversing the effects of human activity on the environment cannot be done without the help of green technology. By categorizing green technology in various subject areas, we can have a better understanding of how it can help us to save our planet.

Often, we think of green technology as just one aspect, but in fact it covers not just renewable energy (such as solar power and solar roofing), but also building and purchasing habits – and even chemistry!

Green Building

The way we build our future homes and buildings, from the choice of building materials to where a building is located can have a major impact on our environment. Simply positioning a house in relation to the sun can have a huge impact – allowing the sun in in cooler and temperate climates, and keeping it out in warmer regions. PassivHaus  (passive house) design is a modern take on old-fashioned knowledge of how best to build – see some great ideas here.

Using recycled materials can decrease waste and by building with sustainable, local material we can reduce pollution and save energy. A good example of saving energy through building material is insulation which keeps our house warm in the winter and cool in the summer, allowing us to use less energy through heating and cooling.

Environmentally Preferred Purchasing

Products whose contents and methods of production have the smallest possible impact on the environment are being given support by governments all over the world, which is making it more clear for us to acknowledge the difference.

Green chemistry

The invention, design and application of safe chemical products and processes should cut or end the use and generation of hazardous substances. While chemical-free products available on the shelves are a better choice over chemical ones, we can also choose to use alternative home-made methods.

Energy

This is the most urgent issue for green technology. It includes the development of alternative fuels, new means of generating energy and energy efficiency. Buying or installing appliances that are energy-efficient can save a lot on our energy bills.

In the society we live in today we are reliant on energy every day and in every way.  We use energy directly in the form of electricity in our own homes, or indirectly in the form of products we bought at the store.

You see, even the smallest little skin care product you use daily is made by manufacturers with the help of electricity in some form. Therefore it is safe to come to the conclusion that if we use new sources of energy in our homes and within manufacturing, it will have a great positive effect on the environment.

How is this possible?

Generating energy through the means of solar power already proved to be a huge money saver in homes.

Solar shingles (also called photovoltaic shingles) are solar panels designed to look like and function as conventional roofing materials while also producing electricity with the help of the sun.

Solar shingles became commercially available in 2005 and were a lot more pricey compared to today. Eco-conscious home and building owners might find solar shingles especially attractive when they are re-shingling, since the solar shingles also double as protective and weatherproof roof shingles in their own right.

Solar roofing is known to cut home electricity bills by 40% – 70%.

Using the energy of the sun used to be limited as the sun does not stay up 24/7. This is starting to become a thing of the past thanks to solar generators and solar batteries. With the development of green technology and solar roofs improvements, our hopes are to see a 100% reduction in energy bills in the near future.

In these early stages of development, it is impossible to predict what green technology may eventually encompass, but seeing new trends and innovations coming to life each day, our hopes are high and we get excited for a greener future.

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What do you think about solar shingles? Let me know in the comments below.

Warm regards,

P.S.  Don’t forget to download your free climate change report here!

Related:

• How many will you get right in this climate change QUIZ?
• Air conditioning and Climate change – the link you hadn’t thought of !
• Want to live off grid? (or at least, reduce your dependence). Here’s how.