Understanding the Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Power
Solar power is a renewable energy source. As an alternative to fossil fuels, solar energy provides a way for individuals to heat their homes, grow crops, and run a variety of functions with less energy. But, solar energy is not without its downside. What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
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Advantages of Solar Power
• Well, the first advantage is an obvious one. Solar power won’t run out unlike our current energy source. The world isn’t making any more fossils so once they are all mined, that’s it. The sun is a giant star, but the light and the energy it provides will last far into the future.
• Solar power is a great source of energy for those off the grid. In remote areas around the world and even in the United States, people live too far away from power grids to be annexed in. it wouldn’t be cost efficient. For them, solar power is a way to live where they want and still have the benefit of electricity.
• Solar power doesn’t require a lot of modifications to your home. You don’t have to mount solar panels on the roof. A solar panel can be placed in the yard on the south side of the lot to gather those sun rays.
• Solar power can be stored. You can tie a battery into the solar system in your home to dump excess electricity until you are ready to use it. If you live in a remote area, a battery backup to your system is a wise choice.
• Solar power systems are aesthetically pleasing. Unlike other forms of electricity, there is no accompanying noise to worry about. And, solar panels have come a long way since the technology was first introduced and advantageous for residential use. For the roof, panels can resemble shingles.
Disadvantages of Solar Power
There are always two sides to every story. Consider these potential disadvantages if you are thinking about alternative energy sources for your home or business.
• Solar power is expensive. To have a system installed could set you back $10,000 or so. Most people don’t have the funds to make such an investment. The system begins to pay for itself almost immediately but you must get it set up first.
• The sun shines during the day only. The solar power system is collecting energy and converting it to electricity for 10-12 hours at most. In cloudy or inclement weather, you could be collecting even less energy through your solar panels.
• Solar panels need to be placed in just the right position to get the maximum amount of sunlight. For some, this could mean putting them on the roof which is more costly than having solar panels mounted in the yard. Tall trees can obscure the sun as well as pollutants in the air. Some homes and/or home lots might be too small for the amount of panels you would need.
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Solar power is the wave of the future. On a larger scale, the technology is still being investigated, but residential areas can take advantage of it now. Before you buy, be aware of possible disadvantages to your project.