Between advances in technology, low financing rates, available federal tax credits, and rising energy costs, we’re in a golden age for utilizing solar energy to gain energy independence and increase savings. Solar is a practical and affordable option for many but there are pros and cons to solar energy.
Solar is a proven technology, with testing of photovoltaic (PV) solar power capabilities dated back to the late 1800s. By the 1950s, the first PV silicon cell, which could harness the sun’s energy into electrical equipment and appliances, was introduced. Fast forward about 70 years, now solar energy systems and panels are installed nationwide! Solar energy customers can take advantage of the evolution in solar technology and the federal tax credit.
Benefits of Solar Energy
Tax credits aside, the cost of purchasing and installing a solar system has plummeted, with the cost of installing a solar system decreasing by more than 70% in the past decade.
One of the biggest benefits of solar energy and solar panels is once a solar system is installed, the sunlight your panels harness that is converted to electricity comes at no additional cost. Imagine how much your electric bill is cut by utilizing solar to power your home during the day over the 25-or-more years the solar system is meant to last.
Does Solar Power Help the Environment?
The use of solar energy for those with residential systems does not hurt the environment because there are no carbon emissions being produced. There are climate-impacting emissions, however, when manufacturing, transporting, installing and maintaining solar energy systems and solar panels. The eventual dismantling of a solar panel system also impacts the environment, though the environmental impact is relatively small compared to emissions produced by using natural gas and other fossil fuels.
How long does a PV system need to be in operation to recover the energy that went into making it, while also accounting for the pollution and carbon dioxide produced during its production? Estimates indicate energy payback for rooftop PV systems are four years for contemporary multi crystalline-silicon modules, three years for current-generation thin-film modules, two years for forthcoming multicrystalline modules and just one year for the next generation of thin-film modules.
Silicon solar modules, which are primarily made up of glass, aluminum and plastic, are the most common type of module sold today. All three of those materials are recyclable in mass quantities, which helps ease the carbon footprint of a solar system when its lifespan ends.
What is the Biggest Problem With Solar Energy?
The list of the cons of solar energy is small but there is one issue that tops the docket: You can’t produce solar energy if there’s no sunlight. Solar energy is meant to be used in real time, and while there are solar batteries available for purchase, they typically don’t provide enough of a boost to keep most homes powered overnight, making life entirely off the electric grid an unattainable goal in most cases. Solar batteries can also be expensive and are not meant to power an entire home. While most climates are suitable for producing at least some solar energy, they aren’t all ideal places to harness the true power of solar, which trims the potential savings.
Another solar energy con is you can’t install a solar system yourself. It’s a job that requires a crew of trained professionals who will ensure your system is optimized, capturing the maximum amount of sunlight. While the cost of installing a system has dropped dramatically in recent years, it’s still a large expense to take on.
Pros and Cons of Solar Panels
Not all solar panels are created equal. In fact, there is a large gap in the quality of solar panels being produced. Doing some research will help you avoid buying subpar solar panels, and optimizing a solar system for best results while helping save on maintenance bills later.
While some maintenance is required in maintaining a solar panel system, the care is often relatively straightforward and inexpensive, especially when considering the systems are built and installed to last 25 or more years, adding value to the benefits of solar panels.
One additional factor when weighing solar panel pros and cons is that some roof types aren’t meant to have solar panels on them. Homes with a roof made of slate, hardi slate, composite tile, cap and barrel, Hardie shake or cedar shake cannot have solar panels on them. Structures with a roof consisting of composition shingle, concrete tile, concrete s-tile, rolled composition, IB plastic, metal standing seam and Spanish barrel tile are compatible with solar panels.
The Pros of Solar Energy Outweigh the Cons
The benefits of solar energy and panels cannot be denied. Now that you know the pros and cons of solar energy and panels, you’re ready to get a free quote and talk to the experts at Sungevity who can help you with the next steps.
