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Forbes Healthcare Summit
2014-12-03    
All Day
Forbes Healthcare Summit: Smart Data Transforming Lives How big will the data get? This year we may collect more data about the human body than [...]
Customer Analytics & Engagement in Health Insurance
2014-12-04 - 2014-12-05    
All Day
Using Data Analytics, Product Experience & Innovation to Build a Profitable Customer-Centric Strategy Takeaway business ROI: Drive business value with customer analytics: learn what every business [...]
mHealth Summit
DECEMBER 7-11, 2014 The mHealth Summit, the largest event of its kind, convenes a diverse international delegation to explore the limits of mobile and connected [...]
The 26th Annual IHI National Forum
Overview ​2014 marks the 26th anniversary of an event that has shaped the course of health care quality in profound, enduring ways — the Annual [...]
Why A Risk Assessment is NOT Enough
2014-12-09    
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
A common misconception is that  “A risk assessment makes me HIPAA compliant” Sadly this thought can cost your practice more than taking no action at [...]
iHT2 Health IT Summit
2014-12-10 - 2014-12-11    
All Day
Each year, the Institute hosts a series of events & programs which promote improvements in the quality, safety, and efficiency of health care through information technology [...]
Design a premium health insurance plan that engages customers, retains subscribers and understands behaviors
2014-12-16    
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Wed, Dec 17, 2014 1:00 AM - 2:00 AM IST Join our webinar with John Mills - UPMC, Tim Gilchrist - Columbia University HITLAP, and [...]
Events on 2014-12-03
Forbes Healthcare Summit
3 Dec 14
New York City
Events on 2014-12-04
Events on 2014-12-07
mHealth Summit
7 Dec 14
Washington
Events on 2014-12-09
Events on 2014-12-10
iHT2 Health IT Summit
10 Dec 14
Houston
Articles

How the Tech World is Going Green with Solar Power

solar energy

How the Tech World is Going Green with Solar Power

The Earth has been going through dramatic changes when it comes to climate change ever since the Industrial Revolution. This is because humans have invented many new technologies over the centuries that rely on fossil fuels to operate. Sadly, this is slowly killing our planet. One of the best things humans can do to heal the Earth is to use fewer fossil fuels and turn to renewable energy sources. One of the best sources of renewable energy is solar power. Below are some of the ways the tech world, and even the average person, can use solar power to go green and reduce their carbon footprint.

Panels

Solar panels are one of the best-known pieces of solar energy. So, how can tech companies or households use solar panels to go green? One of the best things to do is to place solar panels on the roof of the building. Solar panels can be placed on both flat and slanted roofs. This keeps the panels in a place where they cannot be easily obstructed by plants or building shadows.

Does using solar panels have other benefits besides lowering a family or company’s carbon footprint? Using solar panels can also help to save money on electricity bills. This could mean up to total electrical coverage for homes and major savings on bills for technology companies.

However, it is important to note that there will be a higher up-front cost to buy and install the solar panels. Because of this, families and companies might need to save up money before they are able to afford the solar panels. When buying solar panels, make sure to ask the retailer if they have any deals that will bundle the cost of the actual solar panel with the installation price. Could you save money by installing the panels yourself? Of course! However, if you do not have any mechanical skills, it is best not to attempt this. The last thing you want to do is install a solar panel in such a way that it does not function correctly, break a solar panel, or even end up hurting yourself.

Once the solar panels are installed, it is time to sit back and watch the savings roll in. How much money will be saved each month will depend on a few factors. One of the biggest factors is simply how many solar panels are installed (the more solar panels, the better the savings). The weather will also have an influence. Sunnier days will provide more solar power. To dissolve a common myth, customers and companies should know that solar panels do work in the winter. The temperature has little to do with the amount of sunlight the panels can take in.

Batteries

Sometimes, solar panels will produce more green electricity than a home or business needs. When this happens, there are generally two options the solar panel owners can choose from to deal with their excess electricity. The first possibility is to store the electricity in a solar battery. The second way is to sell the electricity back to your local electrical company. Any home or business that uses solar panels can also use solar batteries. However, the local electricity company will determine whether or not you can sell excess electricity back or not. Homes are also more likely to produce excess electricity than technology companies, simply because technology companies tend to need more electricity to function.

Another bonus of using a solar battery is that the power stored in the battery can be accessed at any time, including during power outages. In a way, a solar battery functions as a backup generator. Power stored in the battery can also be used in months where a home or company needs to use more electricity than the solar panels recently produced. This can be especially helpful during cloudy months, especially in the spring and autumn.
If your family or business wants to go green, then using solar energy is a great option. It can both reduce the cost of electricity bills and the size of a carbon footprint!