You may be thinking of powering your home with solar energy. There are some things you should know first. Here are the pros and cons of solar energy.
Solar power is the most abundant energy found on the planet. That’s why more people are installing solar power and thinking of getting in their homes the best generator for off grid. It isn’t just for fun toys and crafts!
It’s why people are investing in solar power because they receive incredible benefits.
However, there are pros and cons of solar energy. While solar power does help you save money on electric bills and is environmentally safe for the planet, there are some cons to this kind of energy.
Here are some pros and cons of solar energy that can give you some insight on if you should install a solar power system in your home.
The Pros of Solar Energy
The first pro of solar energy is that it is a clean and renewable source of energy. While solar energy still pollutes the air, it’s not nearly as bad as other forms of energy.
Another benefit of solar energy is that you can earn a tax credit from solar energy. Electric companies will actually pay some people money because they have solar energy installed on their homes.
In addition, you are saving on your electric bill because you are using renewable energy that helps to keep your home powered.
If you want to find solar near by, you’ll discover what you can save as well as other solar energy benefits.
The Cons of Solar Energy
Some of the cons of solar energy are associated with costs and where you live.
For instance, you could be paying between $16,000 and $30,000 depending on the size of your home and the quality of the solar panels that are installed. That can be a hefty expense, especially if you don’t have the funds.
Although, you also have to consider if what you’re saving in the long-term would eventually pay for the price of solar energy.
Another con to consider is where you are located. If you live in a state that receives minimal sunshine per year, then it might not be worth it to invest in solar energy.
If you live in an area that receives abundant sunshine each year, then having solar energy might be worth it because it will be fully used.
While your location can be a con, it can also be pro depending on where you live. You will have to assess if it’s worth it in the long-term.
Things to Remember About Solar Panels
1. Solar panels can work even without direct sunlight
Solar panels can generate electricity at maximum efficiency in sunny weather, but solar panels are still helpful even in cloudy weather and in winter. On the other hand, no electricity can be generated at night, but the storage system can solve this problem. However, weather conditions may affect the long-term performance of solar panels, such as excessive exposure to wind and rain, so wind protection should be considered when determining the location. To solve this, most solar panels come with a 25-year warranty, guaranteeing the performance will stay below 80% during this period. Further, you can profit from the cost of a solar storage system by selling excess energy to the national grid and being 100% energy independent. But remember that solar panels generate electricity for free during the day, making it expensive but more valuable.
2. Solar panels may last up to three decades
Many solar panels have a guaranteed lifetime of 20-30 years, but a common estimate is 25 years. Plus, it’s fairly maintenance-free by keeping dirt, leaves, snow, and other obstacles out of reach. The warranty also helps with professional repairs. Solar modules have a so-called “useful life.” This means that the energy produced by the module gradually decreases as it ages. After about 25 years of installation, you may notice a significant drop in the energy received from your module. For example, many warranties guarantee 90% of module production for the first ten years and 80% for the remaining 25-30 years. However, this does not mean that it will quickly become useless and can continue to generate energy for an extended period.
3. Solar panels have low maintenance requirements
Once installed, solar panels require almost no maintenance. You must ensure they are clean and do not cast shadows on anything. Sloping roofs require less cleaning as rain helps remove dirt. The so-called photovoltaic effect produces solar energy. If you’ve ever seen a solar panel, you’ve seen it consist of several small squares. These squares are called solar cells, photovoltaic cells, or PV cells. PV modules have very low operating and maintenance costs. For the small systems found in most homes, these costs are negligible compared to those of other renewable energy systems and conventional power plants. Photovoltaic systems typically do not require frequent inspections or maintenance. Almost all solar panels you see are made of silicon solar cells. Each cell has a negative layer that holds extra electrons and a positive layer that provides space for those electrons. When sunlight hits this negative layer, electrons are released and move to the positive layer.
4. There are different types of solar panel systems to choose from
Solar energy can be used in many ways. Some solar thermal energy sources harness the sun’s heat, such as photovoltaic concentrator systems, solar cooking systems, and solar water heaters. Photovoltaic solar systems include three categories for residential power systems: grid-tied systems, hybrid, and off-grids. A grid-tied system is one of the most common residential solar panel systems you see today. The solar panel system is connected to the utility grid. Your home will use the solar power generated by your panels. If your panels produce more electricity than your home needs, the excess electricity will be sent to the grid. Solar-plus storage systems, or hybrids systems, are solar panel systems connected to both the grid and an on-site solar storage system with a solar battery. It works the same way with grid-tied regarding the volume of energy it produces to power your home. Lastly, off-grid solar power systems are, by their term, not connected to the electrical grid. This type of system is quite expensive. More solar panels and battery storage are needed to cover all the energy you need, which is costly. You may also need to make major lifestyle changes to avoid using too much electricity.
Now You Know the Pros and Cons of Solar Energy: What’s Next?
Ultimately, now that you know the pros and cons of solar energy, you have to decide what’s best for you. You have to decide if one outweighs the other. Also consider options like https://www.build-review.com/making-the-switch-a-homeowners-guide-to-installing-a-solar-pv-system/ as well.
While you may be spending a lot on installing solar energy into your home, it may help you in the long-run. You should also consider your geographical area and see if you receive a lot of sunlight. If you do, getting solar might be worth it.
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