Florida Senator Marco Rubio introduced the Sunshine Protection Act last year. Although the Senate passed the act in its first session, the House of Representatives denied it in its final session.
The Sunshine Protection Act will be passed if it passes. It will end the practice of turning back the clocks by one hour each November. Instead, daylight saving time will be used to push our clocks an hour ahead of standard time.
What impact would this legislation have? Let’s look at that question and see what you can do with an extra hour of daylight — even with your solar energy.
DAYLIGHT SAVING – ITS HISTORY and CONTEXT
A quick background: Since 1918, Americans have been turning their clocks back an hour. In an attempt to establish government oversight of time zones, Congress passed the Standard Time Act.
The idea of saving daylight hours goes as far back as a satirical letter Benjamin Franklin published 1784. He suggested that the French should fire their cannons at dawn to wake citizens and limit the use of wax candles at night.
WILL THE SUNSHINE PROTECTION Act BE PASSED?
Since 2015, 45 states have submitted their own legislation. They will either create a standard time or modify daylight saving time.
But, states can’t legally make daylight savings time permanent.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) states that a state may observe daylight saving time but it must start and end at federally-mandated dates. States can exempt themselves from the Sunshine Protection Act. However, states do not have the power to set a permanent daylight savings time. The DOT believes that it will be difficult to handle state-by-state requests for daylight saving time.
The daylight saving tradition will continue for the foreseeable future, but it is not over.
IMPACT OF SUNSHINE PROTECTION CODE
Americans will be able to take more sun in the darkest parts of the year if the bill is passed.
People will also get more rest, according to the bill’s backers. They’ll also be happier and more productive . Scientists have found that standard time is more in sync with the progression of the sun and the body’s internal clock.
Even more evidence supports the need to end daylight saving time due to physical risk. In the days that followed the November time change, people reported more car accident and heart attacks.
What about the solar power benefits? The bill won’t change the fact that your panels must work for solar power.
Your panels can generate electricity no matter what time of day you are. Your life will be easier because they’re constantly working in the background, doing all the heavy lifting so you don’t have to worry.
After we have covered the history and impacts of Daylight Savings Time, what other ways can you make use of the extra daylight? Let’s take another look.
EXTRA DAYLIGHT – MANY WAYS TO USE IT
These are some ways you can take advantage of the extra hour we get from daylight savings.
SEE OUTDOOR DINNERS
The extra daylight hours are a great excuse for outdoor family meals. Get your backyard or patio ready with comfortable chairs and washable rug and host dinner parties!
Buy plants or start a herb garden
Both indoor and outdoor plants can be used as decorative accents. Studies show that they can improve mood. Plant-tending can be incorporated into your morning routine. This is a great way for you to start your day peacefully and not rush to the coffee machine.
CATCH THE SUNSET DURING A WALK
You’ll have more time to relax later in the day if you prefer to get up before the sun rises. Take an evening walk if that is you. As you take a break from your daily tasks and work, you can enjoy the sunset.
ENJOY THE SOUL
Although this may seem obvious, it’s possible to take advantage of the longer daylight hours by getting outside more often.
Get outside and start reading or journaling. Get some vitamin D. Or should we just say “sol”?
CONTACT FREEDOMSOLAR TO HARNESS THE ENERGY OF THE SUN
Are you willing to harness as much sun as possible? Freedom Solar is the company for you.
We offer SunPower panels, the most highly rated panels on market — as well as backup power solutions including the Tesla Powerwall. We offer a competitive 25 year warranty to ensure that you can generate as much solar energy as possible over the years.