There is something misleading about the name “Solar Power.” All forms of energy is derived from the sun some way or the other. Without the sun, there would be no life on earth, as the sun provides the energy that sustains all plant and animal life. Like all technologies and systems, solar power, too, has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of solar power, by far, outweigh its disadvantages.
The Advantages of Solar Energy
Solar energy saves you money, period. Once you recover the cost of installing the equipment, there is no running cost as the energy from the sun is 100 percent free. Since production of solar energy does not require any fuel, you aren’t affected by its supply and demand, or the ever-increasing price of gasoline.
Solar energy is clean, renewable and sustainable, and so protects the environment in a number of days. Unlike gas, coal, and oil, the supply of solar energy is renewable, though only for the next 4.5 billion years. Unlike more traditional forms of electricity generation, it doesn’t pollute the environments with carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide or mercury. We would be healthier if more people get their energy from solar power.
Since solar energy doesn’t release any pollutants into the air, it does ‘ot contribute to global warming. Rather, it contributes to the decrease in emissions of greenhouse gases. Solar power systems can operate independently, without any dependence on a power or a gas grid. Not only does solar energy reduce your electricity bill, it is available at all times and is not affected by power outages.
The solar energy systems are practically maintenance free. Once installed, they can last for decades, with no recurring costs. They are silent in operation and do not create any offensive smells. If your electric needs increase, extra panels can be added to the existing system.
The Disadvantages of Solar Energy
The main disadvantage of solar energy systems is their initial installation costs, as the semi-conducting materials are expensive. To achieve a good level of efficiency, solar panels require a large area for installation. The location of the sun also affects the efficiency of the system, but this is overcome by installation of extra components--an added cost.
Pollution in the air, as well as the presence of clouds, affects the production of solar energy. There is no production of solar energy at night. However, this can be taken care of with a battery backup system or net metering. Net metering is a scheme, available in 40 states and Washington D.C., through which your utility company buys the extra energy that your solar energy system produces from you, building up a credit on your account. If you need to buy some of this back, you might break even.
Written By: J.R. Ferrara
