Pros and Cons of Solar Energy

When thinking about installing solar energy systems the pros on the surface certainly look like they outweigh the cons. The advantages of having an alternative energy source that is cheap, renewable and green, seems too good to be true. But while solar energy is considered to be environmentally friendly, it still comes with some disadvantages. Here are some of the pros and the cons of solar energy to help you make an informed decision.

Let's start with the pros.

Solar energy is a renewable and never-ending source of energy. Solar power is not location specific, unlike certain other forms of energy. A solar energy system can be fitted as easily in the city or remote part of the country, at sea or up a mountain and is available to everyone.

If you live in an area that gets the sun and  can fit a solar panel, you can have solar energy. If you live in a remote area where there are no power-lines, gas or electric supply, solar energy can be the perfect solution. Solar energy is a great alternative because it provides you with everything to power your home, hot water, powering appliances, lights and heating.

The burning of fossil fuels results in the release of harmful gasses and other by-products, many of which result in the depletion of the ozone layer. They also cause other damage to the environment and often cause health problems. With solar energy however, no harmful gases or by-products are released and so it causes zero pollution and is totally clean and an excellent alternative energy source. To produce electricity with solar energy you only need the sun's rays. There is no use of these harmful fossil fuels.

Another big advantage of solar energy is the cost. Solar energy is far less expensive than more traditional grid-based electric heating. Other than the one-off cost of buying the solar panels and connection materials, solar energy is completely free for the rest of it's life. And since most solar energy systems last for an average of 30 years, that can result in a very big saving on your future energy bills.

For those who opt for a grid-interconnected system, they may well find that they make a profit by selling back excess power to the grid. Solar energy systems require very little maintenance, unlike conventional heating systems, which is likely to be another saving on your household bills.

If this all sounds too good to be true, let's take a look at some of the cons.

The main disadvantage of solar power is the initial cost. Solar panels are comparatively quite expensive mainly due to the cost of materials and the complexity of the technology and design involved. This is what usually puts people off installing solar energy.

Professional solar energy installers have not brought down their costs due to overheads, and the medium range forecast is that equipment costs are more likely to rise over the next few years than to fall.

Another disadvantage is that although you can install solar energy in most places, you are reliant on the sun's rays to power the system. If you are situated where there is not much sun light then this could be a problem. In other areas, the sun's rays are almost always covered by clouds, making solar energy collectors less effective.

Lastly, the sun only shines during the day. Therefore if you need to use a lot of electricity or hot water at night, it can be a problem. To get round this you will need to be connected to the grid as a back up. Or you can store the power in batteries for later use. So if you were thinking about being totally independent from an energy supplier, you might be disappointed.

Though there are some cons to installing solar energy in your home, the pros for most people would certainly seem to outweigh them. Although solar energy is not yet a substantial source of energy at present, it certainly looks like it could be for the future.

With the likelihood of the cost of solar panels rising over the next few years, the time to make the switch is unlikely to be better than now. Of course you should weigh up the pros and cons of solar energy for yourself, but if you want to get the best prices, don't wait too long to decide.

Home Solar Power Systems - 3 Benefits For You

Home Solar Power Systems - 3 Benefits For You

The benefits of installing a home solar power system are becoming more and more obvious as energy costs continue to rise, and environmental concerns increase. Whether you are concerned about the initial cost of materials and installation, or the reliability of a home solar power system, it is well worth doing some research to find some surprising benefits to a green and renewable source of energy. Here I have outlined 3 benefits of a home solar power system.

Firstly, there is the cost factor. Although many people are put off buying their own solar power system due to the initial costs involved, it is worth doing the math and working out how much your energy bills are per year and how long it would take you to recoup this initial outlay.

Grid-interconnected systems work by buying any excess power you produce back from you. So not only would you save money on your energy bills, but you could end up making money from your system too! When you generate a surplus of power, your meter turns backwards, earning you credits.

Many people find they can quite easily fulfil their entire energy needs from a home solar power system. So it doesn't take long until the cost of the solar panels and other parts such as the inverter are paid for. There is also strong evidence that installing a home solar power system can increase the value of your property when you come to sell.

Secondly, having your own reliable source of power can be very reassuring. With a recession this is particularly good as you will know that whatever your financial circumstances, your energy bills will not be a burden. Also you will never be affected by power cuts, faults or weather problems that may cause damage to power supplies.

Solar power is a consistent source of energy that will ensure you have electricity to heat your water and home, and power your appliances regardless of what happens to your utility company. It can give you a sense of independence and control over your energy consumption. When you have your own home solar power system you lessen your dependence on both centralized and foreign sources of energy.

Thirdly, and perhaps in the long term the most important, is the benefit to the environment, which in turn has a direct impact on us all. The burning of fossil fuels is a leading cause of global warming and air pollution. Solar energy reduces the amount of fossil fuel that is burned, thus reducing the pollutants and CO2 that gets into the atmosphere.

Home Solar power systems can help us do our bit towards saving natural resources and reducing the carbon emissions. Because solar power is greenenergy, a renewable energy source, it is clean and free and does not pollute.

Therefore, a home solar energy system is not only one of the best ways to make a real contribution to sustainability, but financially it can be of real and significant benefit to you. You will also have the reassurance of your own independent power supply.