Even in 2013, the advantages for solar energy consumers may be not as apparent as others may wish they were. Solar panels use light energy from the sun (photos) to generate electricity through what is called the photovoltaic effect. In newer commercial products, the best achieved sunlight conversion rate (which measures solar panel efficiency) is approximately 20.1%. While that may sound low to some people, it still means that there are tons of advantages for solar energy households.

Solar panels for your house have come down in price over the past few years, which means what used to be a luxury for the affluent is now becoming something that more and more people can capitalize on. The cost of solar power, including those for solar residential systems, is expected to reach $1 per watt by the year 2020.

In a way, working with solar energy is as much akin to getting back to basics as it is a leap into the future. Solar energy always was (and still is) the primary source of energy for every single life form on the planet. Given the fact that it is cleaner, simpler and easier than ever to work with, going back to basics could be as beneficial for the environment as it could be for ones wallet.

The sun provides enough energy to satisfy global energy needs for a solid year in just one hour. One of the greatest advantages for solar energy today is that it is coming closer to harnessing more power than every before. Eventually, the sun could provide all the power that is needed for people to live comfortably off of.

Clean energy, sustainability and less money being sent off to energy companies are just a few of the reasons that people may want to take a look at what modern solar energy can do for them. As long as one is buying or leasing their solar panels from the right company, they will have nothing to worry about when it comes to powering their home or place of business.