Solar power offers to the lucky homeowner that chooses it as an alternative many environmental and financial benefits. Understanding those benefits can help homeowners realize why they want or why they don't want to use solar power to their advantage by powering their homes. The only way to make that decision is to fully comprehend the various possibilities of solar power. Solar power can be used in four different methods: passive, thermal, thin film, and Photovoltaic. Below is an explanation of the benefits of all of those methods. Solar power energy is that is passive is energy that is gathered through the manipulation of the environment as a means to use the solar rays that happen to be in line with the property in the best way. Some of the benefits associated with passive solar power energy are that there is no negative impact put onto the environment that investments made on landscaping and gardening have rapidly beautiful results - better greener greenery, and that passive energy allows beauty while maintaining an energy efficient environment. Having a passive solar layout included within the layout of your home also increases its value. Thermal solar power energy has benefits that also include a rapid payback. When speaking of rapid payback, this means that through an investment like buying a costly solar powered water heater that investment will pay for itself in terms of quality, longevity, and benefits. Thermal solar power energy can be associated with the reduction of carbon release. Again, similarly to passive solar energy, thermal solar power energy has no negative impact on the environment. The fuel thermal energy requires is free and abundantly renewable. The last method is a cross between the methods of Photovoltaic and Thin Film. With devices that are Photovoltaic and thin film, fuel needed to power these solar devices are both free and unlimited. This is mainly due to the fact that the fuel used to power these devices is fuel of a solar variety, the sun is for everyone, meaning that the fuel has absolutely no cost - ever. Not only this, but the solar fuel also has no taxes. No cost, no taxes. Figures. Photovoltaic and thin film solar power energy systems also increase the value of homes when they are left in their initial places. Dealing with a solar powered system is low maintenance and environmentally friendly. Another benefit in solar powered systems is that when the entire neighborhood or town suffers a power outage, your home or residence is virtually blackout protected. The benefits of solar power energy run homes are endless, but they all revolve around the same thing. They revolve around being free, renewable, environmentally friendly, and its longevity. Those who choose to invest in the wonders of what the sun have to offer surely will not be disappointed. The sun has much to offer. It is one of the most natural things the universe can present. Why not choose to benefit from that?