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Those that live in a solar powerhouse agree that there are plenty of benefits from this environmentally-friendly power source. Many sensible people like yourself are a bit crestfallen to realize they have missed the boat on these advantages, and are turning to solar power systems for their houses. If you were familiar with all of these great benefits, you would at least know if this set up was right for your energy needs.

George Wesley, a representative of Luminous Solar, outlines a few key details “One essential benefit that comes with a solar power house is the obvious energy savings. The amount you save in monthly power costs can easily pay for the initial investment in a reasonable amount of time.” You will notice that each month you save a significant amount – up to eighty percent from your energy bill, which represents substantial annual savings. The other side of the spectrum is that you can sell the excess energy you don’t use back to the utility company. The reason for this is the Federal law that makes this an opportunity for all who are using green energy sources.

You will also be taking part of the environmental movement if you live in a solar powerhouse. Since everyone is concerned about taking better care of the planet, you will rest easy knowing that you’re doing what you can to participate. Solar energy produces absolutely zero waste and has no polluting side-effects, and the energy is renewable and not finite like so many power sources are.

There are plenty of other energy resources to use, but the concern is that these other sources are quickly disappearing before our eyes, making solar power more attractive. There is a need to use sources of energy that do not further deplete the planet’s limited resources, and many turn to the sun’s limitless supply of energy to have a sense of environmental well-being. Solar energy presents a guilt-free way to energize your home without using up what limited measure of resources that the planet has enduring.

Buying or remodeling your home to become a solar powerhouse means that you will also get to enjoy a nice tax incentive come next tax season. Cut yourself some slack, you deserve it! Many do not realize this tax benefit exists, but Congress has passed laws that allow for this tax benefit to be applied to those using solar energy. The hope is that the government will encourage a practice that benefits many people, including the planet itself.

Creating a solar powerhouse will mean you have a source of energy that will be there for the long-term future, unlike finite fuel sources. Solar power means that you don’t need to worry about replacing or maintaining the system that supplies your electricity. There will be news stories about conserving energy, or about power outages – none of this will be your concern with solar sources.

These benefits to your solar powerhouse are just an example of the many benefits that solar energy will afford you. You will require doing some investigation to find other advantages to solar power, and that will make it clear to you why so many are hopping aboard the bandwagon. This energy source will be here for many decades and centuries to come.… Read the rest

France is the world’s number one tourist destination, and within this country of wondrous natural beauty one of the most-visited regions is the area of southeast France known as Provence.

The classic region of Provence, as named by the Romans, was a huge area that stretched west from the current Italian border near Nice to Marseille at the mouth of the Rhône. Nowadays when we refer to Provence we generally exclude the Mediterranean coast, now called the Côte d’Azur (or Côte Varoise near Saint-Tropez), and think of the area that stretches north of the coast a 150 kilometers or so to the vineyards and rolling countryside, dotted with tiny villages, in the area around Aix-en-Provence and Avignon. Provence offers a number of unique attractions not only for a tourist but also for those who would like to buy property and settle down here.

A Mediterranean climate featuring more than 300 days of sunshine per year is a major drawing card. Whether you enjoy swimming at nearby seaside beaches or hiking in the hills, the climate of Provence offers numerous advantages for those who are physically active and enjoy the out-of-doors. And even with its well-deserved reputation for warm and sunny weather, major ski resorts in the Alps are only a drive of two hours or less from most parts of Provence.

While Provence is best known for its warm-weather attractions, many visitors especially enjoy visiting in the winter, when there are few tourists and the days are bright and sunny with mild temperatures. If you purchase property and take up residence in Provence, you will not have to worry about heavy heating bills in the winter, for even in the coldest month of the year, the temperature stays in a comfortable range.

Provence is also rich in history. Aurore Louineaux at Only Provence further elaborates, “Well before the arrival of Caesar’s legions in the first century BC, Greeks and Phoenicians fishermen and traders established villages along the coastline. The region received its name when it became a province of the Roman Empire. Many antiquities from the Roman era remain, as do churches, monasteries and cathedrals dating back to the Middle Ages. Many villages still have their original ramparts constructed in medieval times to ward off invaders.”

While it is best known for its countryside attractions, in recent decades Provence has evolved into one of the most sophisticated regions of France, thanks partially to the fact that many Europeans and North Americans rent seasonally or have purchased homes here. Marseille, France’s second largest city, is a major port and features world-class boutiques, as do Avignon and Aix-en-Provence, both of which are university towns. Orange, north of Avignon, and Aix are also famous for their summer opera festivals, and Avignon for its world-renowned theatre festival in July. Aix hosted a major Cézanne exhibition in the summer of 2006 that drew visitors from all over the world.… Read the rest