Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Energy

Solar energy is no doubt a great renewable source and is perfect for the world’s future energy needs, but there are some disadvantages of solar energy as well. So if you are planning to install a solar power system for your home you must read this first to make a balanced decision…

Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Energy

Advantages and disadvantages of solar energy can be different for different people depending on the geographical location and the climate of the place they live in. Before you make a final decision on opting on the solar energy, do consider the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy.

Advantages of Solar energy

Environmentally friendly: Solar energy is generated from a renewable source and its production does not emit any harmful pollutants and emissions. Power plants which are catering the maximum amount for our energy needs use fossil fuels to generate electricity and emit very harmful green house gases…which are disturbing the balance of the nature. The best way to save our nature from further loss is to go for the renewable sources of energy, so go solar. Solar is one of the best options as the source of power generation is free of cost, renewable and good for our environment.

Renewable resource: Another advantage of solar energy is that it is inexhaustible and unlike fossil fuels, source of energy for solar power is renewable. Sun is the source to generate Solar energy and Sun is freely available everywhere and is not going to exhaust in future.

Saves Money: Fossil fuels reserves are rapidly depleting and with increase in population, the demand of electricity is increasing…this is driving the costs of electricity to elevated levels. If you choose to install solar power systems for your home, your electricity bills will go down. As you will be generating your own electricity, you need not to pay for outrageous prices for electricity. The initial costs are no doubt exorbitant but one should realize that these expenses are just one-time and should be considered as an investment– which they really are. Best part is that you probably will never have to pay another electric bill again which is increasing day by day. This way, when the initial investment is recovered, the energy from the sun is practically FREE.

Disadvantages of Solar energy

There is no doubt that solar energy is abundant and free but the initial cost of installing a solar power system is the main disadvantage of solar energy. However this problem can be solved by going in for DIY solar power systems. If you have dedication and patience, with small investment you can get immediate results and can also get the relief from high installation costs when done by professionals.

Geographical location and climate of a place can be a source of advantage or disadvantage of solar energy. The efficiency of the solar panels is dependent upon the amount of sunlight received. If you live in a place where you don’t receive much of the Sun, you won’t be able to generate enough power. Solar panels can’t withstand large hail storms, so the area receiving lot of hail won’t be right for solar power generation.

So ever Considerd Getting off the Grid for Ever?

Another disadvantage of Solar energy is that it generates electricity only during the day time or in other words there will be no generation of electricity during night, although a battery backup system and/or net metering can solve this problem.