The Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Power
Everywhere you turn, from TV or advocacy groups to the Obama administration, people are talking about solar power.What causes all of this interest in solar electricity? There are a number of disadvantages, but where are also many advantages that have so many people excited.Overcoming the disadvantages can be accomplished if you have some know-how and are willing to put in a little work yourself.
Advantages
Never-ending energy source
There is a never-ending supply of solar energy because it is produced by the sun all the time. The sun produces energy all day, every day of the year. While fossil fuels like natural gas and oil will eventually run out, solar power will continue to be available until the sun disappears and at that point we’ll have a lot bigger problems to be worried about than how to power our air conditioners. As fossil fuels become more and more scarce, the cost will continue to increase. The opposite is true of solar power! Solar electricity will get more and more affordable as technology continues to improve.
Free energy
Power from the sun will continue to be free as long as the sun is shining. There is an initial cost for solar panels and equipment, but there is no ongoing cost for solar power aside from maintaining of the equipment and battery replacement if batteries are used. If you install enough solar panels, you can disconnect from the power company and never pay an electric bill again. This is called off grid living. If you can generate more electricity than you need, you can stay connected to the grid and actually sell the extra electricity to the power company!
No greenhouse gasses
For those people worried about global warming, solar energy is the solution!While fossil fuels produce greenhouse gasses, solar electricity produces none whatsoever. If you wish to lower your carbon footprint, solar electricity is a great way to do it. Solar energy doesn’t generate any CO2 of emissions of any type.
Reduce dependence on foreign oil
Dependence on foreign oil is widely considered one of the biggest security threats today. Our dependence on foreign oil can be reduced by the use of solar energy. Solar electricity produced in this country would directly replace energy that is now produced using foreign oil.
Disadvantages
Initial cost
One of the biggest disadvantages to solar energy is initial cost. The ongoing cost of solar energy is very small, but the cost of buying and installing solar panels can be quite high. If you want to see how much it would cost to install enough solar panels to power your home and get a spreadsheet to do the calculations, please visit Solar Panel CostSolar Panels Cost.
With the required know-how, the initial cost can be reduced a great deal by building solar panels yourself. If would like instructions for how to build your own solar panel, check out DIY Solar Panel.
Space
Solar panels must be oriented so they point to the south and also need enough space for all the panels. Solar panels work best in areas that get a lot of sun. Solar maps are available that show the average sun in every part of the country. Solar panels located in areas with larger scores will produce more electricity with a solar panel of the same size. You will need more solar panels to generate sufficient electricity to power your house if you live in an area with a lower score.
As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages to solar power. The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages, I think you’d agree. If you build your own solar panel, you can avoid many of the disadvantages. For the best guide to building your own solar panel, check out Green DIY Energy Review.