Take the solar quiz and get a free solar flashlight!

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post in exchange for sharing this information and my honest opinion.

Recently my daughter received this little plastic flower that danced when it was in direct sunlight.  It was solar powered, not battery powered and she loved it.  I found it hard though to explain to my daughter how the sun was actually able to power it and more importantly why it was better than being battery powered.

PURE Energies is a company that is hoping to to help consumers take small actions to make a big impact in our world.  They are all about sustainable ways of living through energy consumption and alternative energy.  Take PURE Energies’ solar quiz now and they’ll send you a solar powered flashlight – act now, as they have limited quantities.

What are some benefits of solar energy?

• The sun is everywhere and actually delivers more energy to the Earth each hour than the entire population uses in a year.
• Solar energy is low-impact and cleaner than some other processes out there.
• Solar energy is safe especially when you think of fossil fuels (like oil spills) that turn out to be natural disasters.

Those three benefits make it a little easier to explain to kids about solar energy, honestly it even helped me understand more about solar energy.  Houses benefit, the environment benefits and therefore, families benefit.

Are you feeling confident yet? Test your solar skills with PURE’s solar quiz!

What about solar myths?

• Solar will get more efficient, so I should wait.  Solar power technology is the same now as it was back in the 1960’s.  Solar power has only moderately became more efficient.

• Solar doesn’t work in cool, cloudy, or foggy climates.  Solar panels are actually more efficient at cooler temperatures than hot ones.

• I will store the excess energy I generate in batteries.  Nearly all modern solar panels are grid tied and generates power throughout the day and at night the meter spins backwards!

• Solar panels require maintenance.  Since solar panels have no moving parts they do not require regular maintenance.

• Solar panels will cause my roof to leak, deteriorate or collapse.  Solar panels can actually protect and preserve the portion of the roof they cover!

• Solar is still so expensive that it will never be able to pay for itself (just like hybrid cars.)  Solar is one of the very few household purchases that will actually pay for itself and actually return 2-4 times their costs in saved electricity bills.

• When the power goes out, my home is still powered.  Unfortunately when the power goes out even solar energy goes out as it is tied to electrical wires where workers may be working.

• Solar will look ugly on my roof.  There is now a variety of options and styles available for roofs if you feel its an eyesore.

• Installing solar panels will increase my property tax.  Solar panels can be tax-exempt and increase the resale value of your house unlike home investments such as swimming pools, a new deck, etc.

• Solar panels require a tracking system to follow the angle of the sun.  They typically do not increase efficiency enough to justify the additional expense and maintenance of moving parts in residential situations.

Solar power is also a lot more than just those black things on roofs.  There are also solar powered flashlights which would be perfect for kids for the dark!  Batteries won’t be something you’ll need to search for as your helping your little monster or princess get ready for trick or treating!

Now that you’ve learned a thing or two about solar, test your knowledge with PURE’s solar quiz and they’ll send you a solar powered flashlight to keep your trick or treaters safe this Halloween!