We know that sun is an abundant and never-ending source of energy. The energy we get from the radiation of the sun is called solar energy.
With the advances in technology, this energy is now been utilized in many industries to perform different tasks. It is equally beneficial for both the commercial and residential sectors. It is also a very eco-friendly option because the solar energy production process has very less carbon emissions.
For many years in the beginning, solar energy was very expensive which is why many people were not able to afford it. However, with the passing of time and advances in technology, the prices have dropped drastically and it has become affordable for people all around the world.
Pros and Cons of Solar Energy
No doubt solar energy is a very useful and beneficial type of energy, but it has some drawbacks as well. Let’s discuss the pros and cons in detail so that you can estimate the risks and benefits. If you are the one who is planning to install solar at your place, then the following text will be worth reading for you.
Pros of Solar Energy
- Fewer Carbon Emissions
We know that our environment is becoming more and more polluted with every passing day. The products and technology we are using on a daily basis are increasing the pollutants and harming the environment in the worst possible way.
Other sources of energy production like fossil fuels are a great source of carbon emissions in the environment. Fossil fuels are burnt in order to convert it to heat and electricity. Harmful gases like methane, and nitrous oxide are emitted in the process. That is why it was the need of the hour to introduce a technology that will be less harmful to the environment. Therefore, the introduction of solar energy was like a cool breeze in these difficult times.
We should try to switch to solar to save our environment from carbon emissions and harmful gases.
- Â Reduction in Utility Bills
We know that solar energy is being used to operate different appliances that need heat and electricity to operate. If you have not installed solar then you get this electricity from the grid to fulfill your energy needs. However, when you install solar, these needs are fulfilled by the solar system installed at your place.
In this way, you can save a lot of money on the monthly utility bills. Therefore, installing solar at your place is considered to be a very beneficial investment for the future as well.
- Fewer Maintenance Requirements
Solar energy systems have very less maintenance requirements. This is considered to be a useful advantage because less maintenance means no extra costs or expenses.
Most solar energy manufacturers give a warranty of 20-25 years. This means you do not have to worry about the panels and the system for 20-25 years. Â
The only maintenance requirements are that you have to keep the surface of the panels clean of any dust or debris. This is important because the panels will not be able to collect radiation from the sun properly due to dust. That is why it is recommended that you clean the panels on a regular basis (at least once or twice a month). You can also hire professional cleaning services once a year so that the performance efficiency of the panels remains the same.
- Â Various functions
Solar energy systems are used to perform various functions and are used in different applications. For example, solar energy can be used to produce heat and electricity. The electricity is utilized to light up various appliances at your home. The energy needs of your home are fulfilled through this electricity produced by solar.
Similarly, you can heat water through solar energy. Moreover, you can utilize solar at places with no access to heat energy or electricity. For example, in areas with a limited approach to clean water, solar energy can be used to distill water for drinking and other purposes.
Cons of Solar Energy
1. Space Requirements
One of the greatest disadvantages of solar energy is that it needs proper space to be installed. It requires a roof where sunlight or radiations from the sun can be captured by the panels at a certain angle. Therefore, if you have a house with a sloped roof, it will be nearly impossible for you to install panels on the rooftop. Â
Moreover, solar panels are very big in size and they require a lot of space. If your roof is not big enough then you cannot install the system at your place. The solution is that you can install less number of panels to fulfill some of your energy requirements. However, it still remains a major drawback.
2. Expensive Storage
We know that the solar only works when the sun is there. In the nighttime, our solar energy system becomes useless obviously because there is no sun present. In that case, you will not be able to utilize it at night time. Therefore, the solution is to add storage devices with your solar system in order to store and save energy in the daytime to be utilized at night time.
For this purpose, you have to install extra batteries but they will be very costly. Therefore, it is considered to be a major disadvantage of solar energy systems that you have to install storage devices alongside the system if you want to utilize it at night as well. This results in added cost.
3.Weather Dependency
It is an obvious and commonly understandable fact that solar energy is produced only when there is sun. When the sun goes down, no energy can be produced. Therefore, areas with extremely cold weather are not suitable for solar system installation as the sun will be up for a very less time and you will not be able to make full use of the system in this short period of time.
Similarly, even if you live in an extremely hot climate area, still cloudy or rainy days will affect the solar energy production of your solar system.
Final words
Solar energy has proven to be very useful and advantageous with the passing of time and advancing technology. However, there are still some solar panel drawbacks that cannot be overlooked or ignored. Hence, if you are the one who is planning to install solar at your place, it will be useful for you to go through the above-mentioned information so that you can make an informed decision.