Disadvantages and Advantages of Solar Panels

Solar panels are the back bone of solar energy. They are large panels that absorb the sun’s rays and convert them into energy that can be used as electricity or heat. The talk of solar power has been slowly emerging into the limelight, and many people believe that it’s time has finally come. Many people are unnerved at the thought of relying on the sun to power their lives, but plenty of people have put this alternative energy technology to the test. Let’s take an in depth look at what makes solar panels so wonderful, and some things that may make you think twice.

The Advantages of Solar Panels

1. Self Sustained Energy
Electricity is expensive, there is no doubt about it. Depending on the size of your home, and your energy needs, your monthly bill could be as much as 500 dollars. Solar panels harvest energy from the sun, and allow you to sustain your own energy. This means bye bye electric bills.

2. Helpful To The Environment
The large majority of people are using fossil fuels as their main source of energy. When burned these release CO2 into the air and pollute the atmosphere. With solar panels, there are no emissions given off at all, making it completely green and great for the environment.

3. Renewable Source
Solar energy is a completely renewable and abundant source of energy. If you have solar panels and are using solar energy for your electricity needs, you will not run out. Even if there is a power outage, you will still have power.

4. Quiet As A Mouse
Solar panels have no moving parts, and do not make any noise. This make them a step above other types of alternative energy sources, like wind turbines, which are very noisy.

5. Government Incentives
The more people that utilize solar power, the less burden there is on the constantly dwindling energy supplies that we have. The government has taken notice of this and has begun to offer pretty great tax incentives and rebates for people that install solar panels on their own home.

6. Constantly Improving
Technological advancements with solar power have been improving rapidly and are no where close to where they will be. With these advances, the possibility to upgrade is always there.

The Disadvantages of Solar Panels

1. Expensive
The initial costs of installing and buying the materials is very high. For the average home, it costs around 50,000 dollars out of pocket to get yourself solar ready.

2. Only Powered During The Day
Solar panels can only produce energy when the sun is out. This means that during the night time and on cloudy or overcast days, power is not being produced. If you are running on a solely solar powered system, then you would not have power at these times.

3. Requires Large Area
The solar panels that are installed are very large, and require a large south facing area to do so. Many people place them on their roofs in order to get the best performance, but they can also be put on a plot of land near the house. If you do not have room already, this can be a large problem.

4. Storage Is Costly
If you still want to have access to power during the night time, you have to have a battery storage area. These batteries are very large, expensive, heavy, and require a safe storage place for them.

Important Facts About Solar Panels

  • Drying your clothes on a clothes line is a form of solar power.
  • The amount of solar energy that was installed in America jumped over 400% between 2010 and 2014.
  • Solar energy is the only form of energy that doesn’t require any moving parts.
  • The Nellis Air Force base saves 83,000 dollars a month due to solar energy.
  • The biggest solar plant in the entire world is found in the Mojave Desert.
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