Solar energy is a renewable energy source that can be gathered almost anywhere in the world. This article contains the pros and cons of solar energy.
Due to the rising popularity of solar technology, huge corporations and private consumers have chosen to incorporate solar electricity into their homes and commercial buildings almost everywhere.
When determining whether to switch your home to a solar system, there are other things to consider besides the sustainable, environmentally beneficial energy source solar electricity provides.
Solar panel installation is still time-consuming and difficult, with numerous considerations and variables, even with the finest solar firms’ efforts to simplify it.
Solar power plants don’t release greenhouse gases, air, water, or noise pollution.
Even though their size can cause some local plant and animal disturbance, large power plants have a lower environmental impact than fossil fuels.
Solar power plants also pose fewer safety threats than fossil fuel facilities.
As their primary input, sunshine is free, and solar power plants have minimal operational expenses after construction.
Our article on the pros and cons of solar energy can help you determine whether adding solar power to your house or company will be a sustainable solution if you’re considering reducing your environmental impact and electricity bill.
Here are the pros and cons of solar energy:
Pros of Solar Energy
Here are the pros of solar energy:
1. Solar Energy Reduces Your Electric Bill
One of the main pros of solar panels is that they can significantly reduce your electric bill.
This enables homeowners to reduce their electric bills by using the energy generated by their solar panels.
The utility can then purchase the surplus energy they have. Their power bills will typically include this as a credit that may be applied to future electricity payments.
2. Financial Support From the Government
When you install solar panels in your house or place of business, you can receive federal and state tax incentives.
Taxpayers may deduct 30% of installation costs, with state-specific benefits.
In some cases, installing solar panels on a home could not require out-of-pocket expenses. Researching this can take some time, but it is doable.
3. Renewable Energy Sources
The availability of fossil fuels is still in decline, and when they are burned to produce electricity, they send toxic pollutants into the atmosphere.
Solar energy can lessen our reliance on fossil fuels and our environmental effects.
4. Energy Independence
Using photovoltaic cells, solar panels can collect solar radiation. The panels enable your home to use the energy once the direct current has been changed to an alternating current.
As a result, you have a source of energy that is not dependent on the utility company, which costs less than using conventional energy sources for all of your power requirements.
By selling offsets, you can increase your return on investment.
5. Solar Energy is Cheaper than Ever
The cost of solar power has decreased even as the price has increased. The cost of solar has decreased by over 70% over the last ten years, making it more affordable than ever.
Solar is now more affordable than ever for households thanks to these low costs.
6. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Although the production and distribution of solar panel infrastructure leave a small carbon footprint, the electricity generated by solar panels is clean, pollutant-free, and emits no greenhouse emissions.
Every year, the typical American home emits 14,920 pounds of carbon dioxide.
Adding solar panels can reduce your annual carbon footprint by over 3,000 pounds.
7. Low Maintenance Cost
A solar system needs little maintenance after the installation as long as the environment doesn’t damage it.
Panels should perform without further customer intervention for many years if kept clean and clear of debris.
Professional maintenance for your panels will cost you anywhere from $140 to $180, and an annual inspection or cleaning can cost you about $150.
8. Increased Home Value
Solar panels can add value to a home. In certain parts of the country, homes with solar energy systems sell for more than similar homes without them.
According to the US Department of Energy, solar panels increase the worth of your home by $15,000 in total.
Also, it mentions how houses using solar technology can sell more quickly than those using conventional energy sources.
9. Environmental Friendly
The fact that solar energy is a renewable energy source is another key selling feature. This indicates that the resource doesn’t become exhausted as you use it.
Hence, we avoid utilizing the sun’s energy by converting sunlight that strikes the ground into electricity.
Nothing is discharged into the atmosphere using solar panels to generate electricity. Clean energy is the only thing that has been produced.
Cons of Solar Energy
Here are the cons of solar energy:
1. High Initial Cost
Although a lower electric bill is a benefit, the equipment, panels, and installation may cost more than $20,000.
A transformer is required if you have direct-current devices powered by alternating-current sources.
However, because these converters are only partially efficient, using an AC source results in greater operating costs than a DC solar panel.
2. It Requires Space
Space is needed for solar panels to provide for energy needs.
A roof usually always has ample room for installations in homes. Yet, there may be a space issue with massive grid-scale solar arrays.
This occurs as a result of the decreased power density of solar panels. Compared to fossil fuels, solar panels have a low power density.
This implies that more solar panels are required to provide the same quantity of energy as a coal plant.
3. Inability to Move With You
Realistically, a solar energy system is next to impossible to move once put on a residential or commercial building.
Remove the system from your roof to refit it to your new home, which would seriously harm your panels and roof.
If you give the new owners your solar panel system, they should be able to recover most of the cost because the solar installation also raises the house’s value.
4. Sunlight Dependant
A system that relies on solar energy cannot generate electricity without sunlight.
Customers in regions with less-than-ideal sun exposure or inclement weather may find this a problem.
This problem can be reduced by using solar batteries to store excess energy. Even with continual clouds, the best solar panels will continue to be economical and efficient enough to be installed.
5. Installation Can Be Difficult
Even though most components are straightforward, solar panel installation can be challenging if you don’t like being on a roof or feel uncomfortable working with electricity.
Listed above are the pros and cons of solar energy. The benefits of solar energy exceed the cons.
You may start saving money as soon as you convert to solar power.
