| |
Solar Energy Advantages Disadvantages

Are you the type of homeowner who questions if the advantages of solar power are truly worth the installation costs? Or do you think that there are even more economical or practical ways to spend your hard earned cash? In this section of the site I show you that the solar energy advantages disadvantages debate is a real no-brainer.
The advantages of solar energy are numerous and compelling. In fact, there really isn't a debate. As prices for solar panels fall, it is becoming easier and easier for the 'normal' family to afford this technology. Here are the solar energy advantages.... 1. Saves you money Well in the long run it does. After the initial investment of the solar panels has been recovered, the energy from the sun is FREE. The recovery/payback period for this investment can be very short depending on how much electricity or water your household uses. If you have PV solar panels and you produce more electricity than you use, your utility company can buy it from you, building up a credit on your account! How good is that?It will save you money on your electricity bill if you have one at all. Also, if you have a solar water heating system then you will save money there as well.Solar panels do not require any fuel. Just the sun.It’s not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and is therefore not subjected to the ever-increasing price hikes. Once your solar panels are installed, thats it! Its just savings. They are immediate and will last a lifetime. And you don't need to pay for the steep installation costs. If you are competant at DIY you can fit your own solar panels. 2. Environmentally friendly - solar energy benefits the environment Solar energy is clean, renewable (unlike gas, oil and coal) and sustainable, helping to protect our us and our environment. Pollution is reduced dramatically by using solar panels. Solar energy doesn't pollute our air by releasing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, mercury or other harmful fumes into the atmosphere like many traditional forms of electrical generations does. Solar Energy does not add to global warming. By not using any fuel, solar power does not add to the cost and problems of storage of radioactive waste or the recovery and transportation of fuel.3. Low/no maintenance Solar panels are virtually maintenance free. Once installed, there are no recurring costs unless for example, on a water system a tube might break. This is unlikely though.They operate silently, have no moving parts, do not release horrid smells and do not require you to add any fuel.More solar panels can easily be added in the future when your family’s needs grow. 4. Independent/semi-independent Solar energy can be utilized to offset utility-supplied energy consumption. It does not only reduce your bills, but will also continue to supply your home/business with electricity or water in the event of a power outage. A Solar energy system can operate entirely independently, not requiring a connection to a power or gas grid. Solar energy can therefore be installed in remote locations (like holiday log cabins or cottages in the country), making it more practical and cost-effective than the supply of utility electricity to a new site.The use of solar energy reduces our dependence on foreign or centralized sources of energy, influenced by natural disasters or international events like wars, and so contributes to a sustainable future. So the advantages of solar energy are clear for all to see. Disadvantage of solar energy The main disadvantage of solar energy used to be that solar panels cost too much. But with costs plummeting all the time as technology becomes better this really doesn't hold up anymore. But bear in mind that once you have made up your mind and you have made the investment on installing solar panels, then after that, solar power becomes free. And the payback period for this type of investment can be considerably short, usually based on the quantity of electricity that has been utilized according to one's household. Solar power technology is improving consistently over time, as people begin to understand all of the solar energy advantages offered by this incredible technology. As our fossil fuel reserves decline, it is important for us to turn to alternative sources for energy. So the advantages of solar energy far outweigh the disadvantages. So really, I can't find any disadvantages other than if for some insane reason you like paying more and more for your fuel, with no control or influence on price, lurching from one energy price rise to another. You can minimise the impact of this effect and offset your costs and reduce your bills. You will be independent! So I hope this has put paid to the solar energy advantages disadvantages debate. For more about solar energy advantages disadvantages, click on the link. To return to our solar energy home page.
|