{"id":81206,"date":"2023-03-01T15:37:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-01T23:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=81206"},"modified":"2023-05-01T14:24:09","modified_gmt":"2023-05-01T21:24:09","slug":"is-solar-energy-renewable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/is-solar-energy-renewable\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Solar Energy Renewable? Learn About This Critical Resource for Homeowners"},"content":{"rendered":"

Renewable energy is energy from natural sources that replenish at a higher rate than we consume them. They are an essential tool to <\/span>combat climate change<\/span><\/a> and can create a more <\/span>equitable world<\/span><\/a>. Wind, hydropower, and geothermal energy are examples of renewable energy, but is solar energy renewable?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you live in a <\/span>house in Columbia, MD<\/span><\/a>, or an <\/span>apartment in Boston<\/span><\/a>, read on to learn about solar energy, how it compares to other energy sources, and how we harness it to power our homes, cities, and the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Is solar energy renewable?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Solar energy is an unlimited, renewable resource. It\u2019s the <\/span>cleanest and most abundant<\/span><\/a> energy source available. It\u2019s produced by the sun\u2019s light and heat, which are inexhaustible for as long as the sun exists.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, solar panels<\/a>, one of the primary methods we use to harness energy from the sun, are not a renewable resource. They require replacement every 25-30 years and are <\/span>not entirely recyclable<\/span><\/a>. Significant advancements are underway, such as <\/span>biodegradable biopanels<\/span><\/a>, but none are widely available.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is solar energy?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The sun produces two types of energy that we can harness: light and heat. It produces these through nearly-infinite <\/span>nuclear fusion<\/span><\/a>. The brighter and hotter an area is, the more energy we can harness from the sun.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, solar energy doesn\u2019t emit greenhouse gasses, making it an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional energy sources. It\u2019s also extremely cost-effective and can help homeowners and businesses <\/span>save money<\/span><\/a> on their energy bills over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

How does solar power work?<\/span><\/h3>\n

There are three primary ways to harness <\/span>solar energy<\/span><\/a>: <\/span>solar panels<\/span>, concentrated solar, and solar process heat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n