Solar power is becoming one of the most reliable sources of energy. Each time more people are going to solar, but the question remains, “Is everything about solar energy good?”
Today, I will answer that question by sharing the pros and cons of solar power, so you can make an informed decision before going solar.
There are many reasons to go solar, but for many people, it is either they want to reduce their utility bills or they are environment enthusiasts who want to save the mother earth.
What Are the Pros And Cons Of Solar Power?
Whether you are a clean energy advocate, someone who cares about your finances, or simply believe that going solar will enhance your image, reviewing the solar power pros and cons will help you decide whether to convert.
Solar Power Pros
Solar power is free
Did you know that the earth absorbs 174 petawatts (that is 174,000,000,000,000,000 watts) of solar radiation? This means that we have more than enough sources of free solar energy to power every house in the world.
Unfortunately, the majority of our energy still comes from oil, gas, and coal. But recently, there has been a steady increase in demand for alternative and renewable energy like solar power.
Solar energy is clean, renewable, and sustainable
Because solar power is produced from the sun’s rays, it does not produce byproducts like those from fossil fuel plants (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, mercury, or carbon dioxide).
Since every day the sun comes in (unless you live in the north or south pole) you will always have solar energy; this makes it renewable and sustainable.
The price of photovoltaic cells is steadily decreasing
The demand for solar panels is increasing each year, especially in first-world countries like China, the United States, and Germany, among others.
The increase in demand results in the improvement of solar technology as a whole. The prices of photovoltaic cells have declined on average 4% every year over the past 15 years.
They require little maintenance
Installing solar panels on most rooftops eliminates the challenge of finding a suitable installation location. Solar panels require little or no maintenance.
You only need to clean the solar panels or cut trees that cast shadows on them.
Installing solar panels on most rooftops eliminates the challenge. Most satellites orbiting our earth today use the original photovoltaic cell technology, which requires no maintenance at all. Many solar panel manufacturers offer warranties ranging from 25 to 40 years for their products.
Because most areas of the country receive a substantial amount of sunlight throughout the year, solar panels can be installed anywhere.
You can get tax credits for installing solar panels
Many states in the United States give tax credits and rebates to households that want to install solar energy systems. Check with your state government on the cost of these incentives.
If you are outside the united states, most countries like Mexico, Guatemala, and Brazil, to name a few of them, also provide these types of incentives.
You can cut your electric utility by more than 80%
Depending on your electricity bill, if your system is designed correctly, installing solar panels on your roof can save you anywhere from 50% to 100%, with an expected return on investment between 4 and 10 years, after which the energy is free.
It can give you social validation
Unbelievably, our society is characterized by extreme environmental activism.
For some, having solar panels on your roof shows you care for Mother Earth, which is a good thing.
Solar Power Cons
The initial cost is very high
While the prices of PV cells are in constant decline, the cost of installation is substantially high compared to the current electric cost.
But the good news is that after your first cash out, you won’t have to pay electric bills every month.
For many lower-class income families, this will be something that they cannot afford: having solar panels on their house.
The energy produced by solar panels can be affected by weather
The weather can potentially influence the efficiency of solar energy. The efficiency of solar panels decreases when it’s raining, overcast, or during a hurricane.
You are only producing energy during the daytime
Solar energy is only produced during the daytime. To use solar during the night, you will have to connect to your state or national power grid (Grid-tied solar system), or you will need to buy batteries so that you can store the energy for the night’s usage.
The problem with the second option is that solar batteries are costly. In some projects I designed, solar batteries will take between 40% and 60% of the project cost. This further increases the overall cost of an already expensive system.
Conclusion: Pros And Cons Of Solar Power
These are general solar power pros and cons; you need to take them into account before you decide to go solar.
It would be best if your decision were based on location, cost, budget, rebates, tax credits, and practicality.
