For decades, solar energy has been at the forefront of the discussion when it comes to renewable and clean energy. Americans across the nation have been incorporating more and more solar energy into their lives due to increasingly competitive market prices, as well as solar grants.
However, there are still many myths about this type of energy that can distort, or fabricate in some cases, the pros and cons of solar energy. Read on to learn some of the biggest advantages and disadvantages of solar energy so you can make a more informed decision when considering implementing it in your own home.
Pros of Solar Energy
There are definite advantages to using solar energy to power one’s home, thanks to technological advancements in the field.
Renewable Energy
Solar energy is one of the most well-known forms of renewable energy. The sun will continue to produce usable energy for billions of years, so we won’t have to worry about it running out anytime soon.
In addition, solar energy is quite abundant, as the sun produces far more energy than all of humankind currently requires.
Reduced Utility Bills
Much, if not all, of the electrical and heating needs of your home can be met by implementing solar energy. This will result in you having to pay less money to the utility company. How much money you save is dependant on the number and efficiency of your solar panels, as well as your electrical and heat requirements.
In addition, you may be able to receive payments for exporting extra energy to the grid, saving you even more money.
Low Maintenance Costs
When considering the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy, one of the biggest perks is that a system is easy to maintain. The main things you will have to worry about are cleaning your solar panels a few times a year and replacing your inverter and cable every few years, as they will be constantly working to convert sunlight into energy and/or heat.
Cons of Solar Energy
No energy system is perfect. Even the best forms of energy have downsides that you need to consider.
Expensive to Set Up
One of the biggest criticisms of solar energy over the years is that it’s quite expensive to install. As it currently stands, the price of installing a solar energy system, especially if you are acquiring batteries, is quite high.
However, in recent years there have been numerous technological advances as well as government subsidies that have made solar energy more affordable. It is reasonable to assume that costs may drop even further in the future.
Requires a Lot of Space
When considering the pros and cons of solar energy, one of the biggest cons is that the system requires a large amount of space to produce enough energy for your home. This alone can make it so some homeowners may not be able to implement one.
This said, technology is always advancing, and the requirements of solar have decreased over the years. So if you aren’t able to install a system now, you may be able to do so in the future.
Solar Energy Is Weather Dependent
One of the more obvious disadvantages of solar energy is that it requires sunshine for you to be able to collect it. This means that energy collection can become impossible on a sufficiently cloudy or rainy day or during the night.
There are several ways around this particular problem. One is to simply collect during the day and use the grid during the night. This may not save you as much money, but it is an easy fix.
In addition, you can also use solar batteries to store energy for when you can’t collect it.
Learn More About Solar Energy
Despite the cons of solar energy, it is still a great, clean, renewable source of energy that can help power our future. Contact us today if you would like to learn more about how you can create a sustainable future by utilizing solar energy. Feel free to ask us any questions about our service plans or about solar energy in general.
