Most people believe in three things when it concerns solar energy- it is mainly for hippies, it’s too costly, or it doesn’t function properly. Despite this, more solar energy systems are installed in homes than ever! So, are those merely myths?
Solar energy is an energy-harnessing way of encapsulating the sun’s luminous light and heat for human consumption, a non-polluting renewable energy source to generate electricity.
However, many people are swamped by the amount of information available, making it difficult to determine whether or not installing solar panels would be advantageous.
In this predicament, the best thing you can do is equip yourself with information about the advantages and drawbacks of solar power before making a decision.
Table of Contents
Advantages of Solar Energy
Let us learn about the advantages of solar energy and understand if it is worth the time and money!
1. Substantial Long-term Saving And ROI
After paying for the initial installation costs of solar panels, they start to pay for themselves. Solar panels have a lifespan of 25 years or more.
Solar panel installations typically pay for themselves in about eight to ten years through electric bill savings.
It would be safe to say that you can deposit these savings directly into the bank account! Your monthly electric bills will be reduced because you will not be mandated to spend for the electricity produced. Furthermore, you may be compensated for excess energy transferred back to the grid.
Solar power can be a great source of income in addition to lowering your electric bill. Net metering can provide a return on investment by selling the excess power from your solar panels.
The cash you make from net metering, combined with energy bill savings and other incentive schemes, will pay for the system.
2. Low-Maintenance
After putting up solar panels, you don’t need to think about them much other than acknowledging the savings on your utility bill!
Depending on their position and the number of branches and leaves that may rack up on the panels, the most critical job may be to sweep them off regularly—although rain and snow can also help.
Most companies provide manufacturer warranties of more than 20 years, covering replacement and maintenance costs if something goes wrong.
3. Energy Independence
A lot is happening around the world right now. While we may desire not to get involved in geopolitics, the electricity market does not have that option.
We are also linked to energy providers, which have their ideologies and shareholders to please. Installing a solar power system will allow you to wave farewell to all of that, at least for your electricity.
Whatever takes place on the grid, whether it keeps up with consumption and requirements or not, whoever takes over electricity production won’t matter because you will be completely energy self-sufficient.
4. Renewable Energy
Another significant perk of this sustainable alternative is its high-potential renewable energy source, i.e., using the resource does not dry up the source.
It is easily accessible and employed in various parts of the world that do not wear down when converting the sunlight that strikes the earth into electricity. Solar energy is available to us as long as the sun shines!
5. Environmentally Friendly
According to the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, solar energy reduces the quantity of carbon and pollutants produced.
This means cleaner air, cleaner water, and greater environmental predictability for future generations.
Nothing is released into the environment when we generate electricity with photovoltaic panels. Clean energy with zero carbon footprint is the only thing conceived. A stance against climate change!
6. Appealing value to your home
According to Zillow’s research, solar panel installation can dramatically increase the value of your home by up to 4.1% more than similar properties without solar panels.
Because the cost of electricity is anticipated to climb in the future, the benefits of having a home powered by solar energy will become increasingly appealing. Placing a solar battery, for instance, can help you reduce your reliance on the power grid even further (sometimes entirely).
When you desire to sell your home, a solar panel system with a storage battery will add value to a potential customer who values energy savings and autonomy.
Disadvantages of Solar Energy
While solar energy has many pros, there are drawbacks because the technology is still not yet in its peak phase.
1. High Upfront Cost
Numerous incentives are available to assist buyers with the expense of a solar panel system, but it is still an investment. The expenditure depends on the size of the setup, the type of roof, and the kind of system you want.
Depending on the supplier you buy solar panels from, it could cost an arm and a leg. It is even more tricky to estimate the total cost of installation without the assistance of manufacturing companies.
Government Incentives come and go, so you must time them correctly to receive assistance with covering that cost. Even with those solar incentive schemes, you must be willing to invest.
Furthermore, it may take up to ten to fifteen years to recoup your initial investment. It doesn’t matter how long the payback period is; anything that can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels is worth pursuing.
2. Requires Space
Solar panels necessitate space to meet energy demands. A roof will normally have quite enough space for small projects. When it comes to sizeable grid-scale rooftop solar, however, space can be a problem.
This is due to solar panels’ lower power density (extracted from an energy source in a given area) than fossil fuels.
This means that a larger area of solar panels is required to produce the same energy as a coal plant. Notwithstanding, the amount of land mined for fossil fuels is not considered.
If you are looking for energy storage and surplus energy supply infrastructures, these renewable resources will get too expensive for initial cost and space for energy to power.
3. Low Energy Conversion Rate
Now that point brings us to the energy conversion rate! Solar energy conversion is a relatively new scientific discovery. Even advanced solar photovoltaics convert only about 20-25% of the sun’s energy into electrical energy.
This, however, does not account for environmental parameters such as clouds and rain. Conversion rates may be even lower during severe weather events. While this is not perfect, solar technology is constantly evolving and improving, which is expected to change in the future.
4. Not Suitable For All Locations
Basic sense- solar power is dependent on sunlight. Solar panels may not be a feasible alternative if your household does not receive enough sunlight due to climate or shadows.
The stipulation is that solar panels are not required to be installed on the roof. You can assemble solar panels in another property area that acquires more sunlight. Solar power batteries can also help mitigate the risk of limited sunlight, mainly if the climate is an issue.
For instance, if you are thinking about installing solar panels and live in an area with a lot of cloudy days, you may be able to store enough solar energy in a battery to use even when the weather estimate is cloudy.
5. Generates Toxic Waste
Cadmium and lead, both incredibly poisonous metals, are among the active compounds in solar panels. Other dangerous and toxic components are also used to manufacture solar panels.
Producers in the United States must ensure that these high-value compounds are reprocessed rather than disposed of in a landfill.
When the panels are taken down after about 20 years, they must be discarded carefully so that arsenic, lead, and other toxic substances do not pollute the soil and water.
Even so, in other states where most PV panels are assembled, such as China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan, these dangerous chemicals are absorbed negligently in fields, polluting the air, water, and soil.
If you think that’s not a big deal, consider that in 2020, 89% of the solar panels installed in the United States were imported, primarily from Asia. So the chances are that the ones you buy are being produced imprudently.
6. Not Portable
Regarding moving, solar energy systems, such as solar panels, present complexities; if you choose to leave, the solar contracting company will transfer the lease agreement to the new user. These power companies do not want to amortize any additional costs associated with removing the solar panels.
If you choose to take the solar panel and rental agreement contract with you, the company can expedite the process, but you will be responsible for the de-installation and re-installation costs.
Summary (Solar energy advantages and disadvantages)
| Advantages |
|---|
| Long-term Saving And ROI |
| Low-Maintenance |
| Energy Independence |
| Renewable Energy |
| Environmentally Friendly |
| Appealing value to your home |
| Disadvantages |
|---|
| High Upfront Cost |
| Requires Space |
| Low Energy Conversion Rate |
| Not Suitable For All Locations |
| Generates Toxic Waste |
| Not Portable |
Using solar energy to power your residence is an indisputably environmentally friendly alternative the list of advantages to solar power doesn’t stop there. While there are numerous reasons to swap to solar energy, it is not a choice to be made lightly.
Solar energy is the next big thing, becoming more apparent as time passes. And yet, there are some crucial solar energy pros and cons to consider whether you are constructing a new property or looking at adding solar panels to your existing home.
Take the time to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of solar energy to see if the switch is right for you.
(Last Updated on November 2, 2022)
