Solar Energy Disadvantages - Consider the Disadvantages of Solar Energy
It’s always
wise to look at both pros and cons when considering any project. The
same is true when evaluating whether you want to install
home solar power systems.
When it comes to solar panels for
sale, there are some
disadvantages of solar energy. The biggest disadvantage or drawback
for solar panels is the initial investment. Even though the cost has
already come down a lot over the years, without government incentives,
the solar industry couldn’t stand on its own in most areas.
One of the
first things to consider when evaluating different
solar energy systems is your
location. Location can make a big difference when it comes to solar
performance. You will get better performance from your system the closer
you live to the equator. That doesn’t mean that you need to live on the
equator to generate good solar
power. But there are other things to consider about your location.
What are your weather conditions like? Do you have a lot of sunlight? If
the answer to that question is yes, you are probably a good candidate.
But, if you have a lot of cloudy weather, your solar production will be
diminished. Your solar panels will produce electricity even in cloudy
weather, but you will see a big drop off. Are you prone to having severe
thunder storms? A properly installed system can withstand a considerable
amount of wind, but hail could end up damaging the solar panels. These
panels are very tough, but large hail with wind would probably damage
them.
Not only is
your geographical location important, but the layout of your house. For
roof mounted systems, optimal performance will require your roof to be
facing the South, South-East or South-West. It’s possible if you have a
large piece of property to mount the solar panels along the ground. They
will still need to be raised off of the ground. If you don’t have a
location that allows for South facing panels, your production will not
be good. It is wise to have a professional who installs solar panels
come and evaluate your situation before you invest in The next question
is, “do you have any tall trees that may block the sun from hitting the
solar panels at any time during the day?” If you do, that can also
hinder solar production. You may have to remove or relocate some of
those trees. This could be one of the biggest
disadvantages of solar energy.
One of the
biggest drawbacks of solar energy
is the fact that the sun doesn’t shine all of the time. Without sunshine
there is no solar power
electricity. What do you do for a power source at night or during
stormy weather? You will need to either hook up to the grid or have some
kind of battery storage system. Storage space for batteries can become a
challenge and one of the disadvantages of solar power. Solar panels can become a distraction
if they cover the whole roof, although panels have gotten smaller and
technology is allowing them to blend in better with roof styles.
Maintenance
can become a disadvantage of
solar panels. Even though your system may be under warranty for the
first twenty or twenty-five years, what happens if it does go down? Most
people don’t have the technical skills to troubleshoot and repair the
system. You can’t call just anyone to look at your system. You may be
down for a few days when the manufacturer sends someone to repair them.
The good thing is, solar power is normally very dependable and requires
very little maintenance.
When
batteries and panels come to the end of their life, how do you dispose
of them? Both the panels and the storage batteries contain materials
that are very toxic. Some of the harmful substances you are dealing with
are lead, cadmium telluride, and sulfuric acid. Fortunately, the
batteries are about 98 percent recyclable. Also, with the advancement of
technology, we will probably be seeing more eco-friendly photovoltaic
cell production.
Take into
consideration all of the above potential issues. Combine this with all
of the advantages of solar energy. Evaluate your power bills over the past
two to three years. See how much power you have averaged per month. Call
in several solar power companies for an estimate. Talk to others you
know who have already installed
residential solar power. Consider all of the
pros and cons of solar energy
before you make that important decision. If you have some obstacles,
evaluate if they are ones that you can easily overcome? Make a list of
advantages and disadvantages of
solar energy. Check to see if federal tax credits and state rebates
may apply for your project. If they do, often times the savings adds up
to about 50% of your project. That alone may make it worth your
investment. Hopefully you can figure out a way to overcome
solar energy disadvantages
and figure a way to get photovoltaic power to work for you.