ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ENERGY
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ENERGY
advantages and disadvantages of solar energy - Alternative energy campaigns have been popular for the last decade, and solar energy has been proposed by many as a great source of alternative energy. Solar energy has also been high on political agenda in many countries, with rising need to find domestic energy sources that are reliable, cost effective and more environmentally friendly compared to fossil fuels. Solar energy has numerous advantages and some disadvantages too.
ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ENERGY
advantages and disadvantages of solar energy - The most common solar energy advantages include:
-Saves your money
After incurring the set-up cost, solar energy will be practically free. The recovery period for the investment is also short depending on the electricity consumptions. The government also offers rebates and incentives that will reduce the cost further. The savings are immediate and last for several years. It saves your money on electricity bills and if you generate more energy than you require, you can sell it to your utility company through net metering. Other costs that are eliminated include transmission and transportation costs and maintenance costs. With advancement in solar energy research, the costs are decreasing while the efficiency is increasing.
-Environmentally friendly
Solar energy is clean and does not pollute the environment. It does not promote global warming like most of the other energy sources. It produces no smell or noise. Its wide use will ensure a reduction in harmful green house gas emissions.
-Renewability
Solar energy provides an enormous amount of free energy that is naturally replenished and can never be exhausted.
-CONVENIENCE
Solar energy can be tapped in remote locales. Solar energy can provide electricity no matter how remote the location is as long as there is sunshine there. This is important to areas that are inaccessible to power lines. Solar energy systems can operate independent from grid connection. Use of solar energy minimizes reliance on foreign or centralized sources of energy which are influenced by natural disasters and other international events.
-Maintenance free
Solar energy systems require little or no maintenance at all. This systems are also very durable and can last for decades after installation. With most parts fixed, maintenance is almost unnecessary. Expansions can easily be done on the existing installation with no much revamp.
DISADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ENERGY
Solar energy advantages overshadow the existing disadvantages. The manufacturers of these systems only emphasize on the advantages but never mention the existing flaws. The disadvantages have to be acknowledged for them to be minimized or eliminated.
Some of the disadvantages include:
-High setup cost
The equipment involved in the harnessing of solar energy is quite expensive. This can be attributed to the cost of the relatively expensive semi-conducting materials that are used to manufacture them.
-Large space requirement
The installations require a large area in order to attain an acceptable efficiency level. Areas with limited space or where space is expensive are usually disadvantaged.
-Inconsistency
Solar energy is also associated with inconsistency and unreliability. For instance, solar energy systems often depend on uninterrupted solar energy absorption from photons, but there can be frequent interruption of the photons. Sunlight availability is influenced by factors like latitude, clouds and night.
-Can be hazardous if mishandled
Some of the substances used in the manufacture of these systems include Cadmium and Lead. Cadmium is not harmful when inside the solar panel seals but if it leaks, it can cause great damage to the environment. Lead is toxic and it is present in most batteries that that are included in solar energy installations to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
-unattractive
Solar panels are mostly installed on roofs to utilize the wide sunlit area. Many people may be reluctant to fix large panels on there attractive roofs. The orientation of the roof and the roofing material used may also deter home owners from carrying out this installations.
-Low efficiency
Solar panels absorb only part of the light and heat from the sun. Most of the solar panels available in the market have their highest efficiency rate as 20 percent . This implies that the remaining 80 percent of the solar energy is wasted.
-Panel deterioration
Materials used in the manufacture of panels are always exposed to various unfavorable conditions. The panels are gradually deteriorated by ultraviolet radiation,rain, fluctuation in temperature, snow, hail ,dirt, and wind.
Although solar energy has some disadvantages, the large number of benefits it offers are too great to be ignored. There has been increased funding, research, demand and interest in solar energy and this gives us hope for numerous unforeseen advantages. With the escalating oil prices, diminishing fuel sources and increasing environmental conservation campaigns, solar energy is the preferred energy replacement. This is therefore a perfect area for every government and individuals with a vision for the future to concentrate on.
advantages and disadvantages of solar energy - Alternative energy campaigns have been popular for the last decade, and solar energy has been proposed by many as a great source of alternative energy. Solar energy has also been high on political agenda in many countries, with rising need to find domestic energy sources that are reliable, cost effective and more environmentally friendly compared to fossil fuels. Solar energy has numerous advantages and some disadvantages too.
ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ENERGY
advantages and disadvantages of solar energy - The most common solar energy advantages include:
-Saves your money
After incurring the set-up cost, solar energy will be practically free. The recovery period for the investment is also short depending on the electricity consumptions. The government also offers rebates and incentives that will reduce the cost further. The savings are immediate and last for several years. It saves your money on electricity bills and if you generate more energy than you require, you can sell it to your utility company through net metering. Other costs that are eliminated include transmission and transportation costs and maintenance costs. With advancement in solar energy research, the costs are decreasing while the efficiency is increasing.
-Environmentally friendly
Solar energy is clean and does not pollute the environment. It does not promote global warming like most of the other energy sources. It produces no smell or noise. Its wide use will ensure a reduction in harmful green house gas emissions.
-Renewability
Solar energy provides an enormous amount of free energy that is naturally replenished and can never be exhausted.
-CONVENIENCE
Solar energy can be tapped in remote locales. Solar energy can provide electricity no matter how remote the location is as long as there is sunshine there. This is important to areas that are inaccessible to power lines. Solar energy systems can operate independent from grid connection. Use of solar energy minimizes reliance on foreign or centralized sources of energy which are influenced by natural disasters and other international events.
-Maintenance free
Solar energy systems require little or no maintenance at all. This systems are also very durable and can last for decades after installation. With most parts fixed, maintenance is almost unnecessary. Expansions can easily be done on the existing installation with no much revamp.
DISADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ENERGY
Solar energy advantages overshadow the existing disadvantages. The manufacturers of these systems only emphasize on the advantages but never mention the existing flaws. The disadvantages have to be acknowledged for them to be minimized or eliminated.
Some of the disadvantages include:
-High setup cost
The equipment involved in the harnessing of solar energy is quite expensive. This can be attributed to the cost of the relatively expensive semi-conducting materials that are used to manufacture them.
-Large space requirement
The installations require a large area in order to attain an acceptable efficiency level. Areas with limited space or where space is expensive are usually disadvantaged.
-Inconsistency
Solar energy is also associated with inconsistency and unreliability. For instance, solar energy systems often depend on uninterrupted solar energy absorption from photons, but there can be frequent interruption of the photons. Sunlight availability is influenced by factors like latitude, clouds and night.
-Can be hazardous if mishandled
Some of the substances used in the manufacture of these systems include Cadmium and Lead. Cadmium is not harmful when inside the solar panel seals but if it leaks, it can cause great damage to the environment. Lead is toxic and it is present in most batteries that that are included in solar energy installations to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
-unattractive
Solar panels are mostly installed on roofs to utilize the wide sunlit area. Many people may be reluctant to fix large panels on there attractive roofs. The orientation of the roof and the roofing material used may also deter home owners from carrying out this installations.
-Low efficiency
Solar panels absorb only part of the light and heat from the sun. Most of the solar panels available in the market have their highest efficiency rate as 20 percent . This implies that the remaining 80 percent of the solar energy is wasted.
-Panel deterioration
Materials used in the manufacture of panels are always exposed to various unfavorable conditions. The panels are gradually deteriorated by ultraviolet radiation,rain, fluctuation in temperature, snow, hail ,dirt, and wind.
Although solar energy has some disadvantages, the large number of benefits it offers are too great to be ignored. There has been increased funding, research, demand and interest in solar energy and this gives us hope for numerous unforeseen advantages. With the escalating oil prices, diminishing fuel sources and increasing environmental conservation campaigns, solar energy is the preferred energy replacement. This is therefore a perfect area for every government and individuals with a vision for the future to concentrate on.