Sustainability is a driving force behind installing solar photovoltaic systems.

Many homeowners, businesses and non-profits go solar because they are focused on minimizing environmental issues such as climate change and health problems related to carbon emissions. According to the EPA, the average household emits approximately 20 metric tons of carbon pollution each year. By installing a solar power system, a typical two-person household eliminates between 3 and 4 tons of carbon annually. Additionally, the U.S. Green Building Council reports that buildings contribute 35% of all carbon emissions in the U.S. Going solar helps to decrease these effects. While each home, business or non-profits that adopts solar power is making a dent in our pollution levels, it’s the cumulative effect that really makes an impact.

There’s another key way installing solar panels helps and it’s one that most people don’t think about. By using solar power to meet your energy needs, you reduce the carbon your utility plant emits in the production of the power it supplies. The demand on energy at utility plants decreases with every home or business that uses clean energy sources such as solar. Depending on the source of your utility’s production — many are still using dirty sources such as coal to generate electricity—the impact of your decision to go solar could be very significant.