How much did solar power increase in 2011?

Although solar power still has the smallest market share among all energy providers in the United States – smaller even than biomass and geothermal – adaption of the technology has recently been rising by over 25% annually.

Businesses are increasingly putting solar panels on their roofs. Commercial investors are building sun farms in the Arizona desert. Municipalities are using solar power to generate electricity for streetlights, parking meters, and traffic signals.

And, of course, more and more people are retrofitting their homes with solar panels and trying to generate enough electricity so as to not rely on the electrical grid.

If you have neighbors with rooftop solar panels or if you have simply been researching the subject, you may be intrigued by the prospect of bringing the technology to your own home. As with anything, of course, there are some pros and cons to keep in mind before making such a substantial investment.

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