Our planet’s climate is changing, driven in large part by our collective dependence on fossil fuels.

Nearly all of us have already experienced its effects, whether directly or indirectly—hotter temperatures, more frequent and severe heat waves, and more destructive storms causing record-breaking flooding. And while it may seem like one home going solar is a drop in the bucket toward combatting climate change, switching to clean energy will make you part of a global movement to transition to renewable energy.

But what exactly is renewable energy? Put simply, it comes from sources that don’t run out. The most common types include solar, which harnesses sunlight through solar panels and inverters or microinverters; wind energy generated by turbines; geothermal energy from the Earth’s naturally occurring heat; and hydropower from water moving downhill, often through dams.

Unlike fossil fuels such as coal, oil, or gas, these sources don’t pollute the air or contribute to climate change when generating electricity. Once installed, they deliver energy for years with minimal environmental impact. Nearly 60% of the electricity produced in the U.S. still comes from fossil fuels. Switching to solar ensures much of your electricity is clean and reduces your carbon footprint, which is especially impactful if your utility relies heavily on fossil fuels.

You can check your utility’s website to find details about the sources of their electricity. While it may not be easy to find out how clean your home’s power currently is, one thing is certain: if you switch to clean solar power, most of the electricity you use at home will be clean. And the dirtier the sources of your utility’s energy, the greater the contribution your solar system will have toward the solution.

The future really is electric. Many manufacturers are designing vehicles, appliances, and HVAC systems that run on electricity generated by clean, sustainable sources like the sun instead of fossil fuels.

For instance, many homeowners are upgrading to new electric options for energy-intensive appliances like stoves, ovens, and furnaces. Meanwhile, federal, state, and local incentives are making these upgrades more affordable. Electric vehicle (EV) prices continue to fall, driving record sales and growing EV adoption.

Of course, all of those vehicles and appliances require greater electricity capacity—and as we discussed earlier, electricity rates are going up. Pairing solar with battery storage not only safeguards you from rising rates but also ensures a clean and reliable power supply. By upgrading to a solar system, you’ll take control of your energy use, cut costs, and prepare your home for an electric-driven future.

Adding solar and batteries doesn’t just cut your energy bills—it can significantly increase the value of your home. When it’s time to sell, buyers are often willing to pay a premium for homes offering this significant, built-in energy savings and resilience against power outages.

A Zillow study found homes equipped with solar appraised 4.1% higher on average and sold faster than comparable homes without solar. And according to a National Renewable Energy Lab study, for every $1 you save in annual energy costs, your home’s value can increase by $20. That means saving $700 a year could add $14,000 to your home’s value. It’s yet another way investing in solar can help you save—or even make—money.

Explore how solar can boost your property value.