Making The Right Decision About Solar Power
There are a lot of advantages to going solar, but itâs up to you to weigh the pros and cons of your particular goals and system.
If you are not sure if solar is right for you you can use our free solar calculator that will help you see if it makes financial sense and help guide you through the process.
Solar Panel Manufacturing Has Some Environmental Impact
While the power that solar panels generate is emission-free, it is important to note that there is some pollution associated with the manufacturing of solar panels.
Some solar panels contain harmful pollutants, like sulfur hexafluoride, which is more potent than carbon dioxide. However, the impact of carbon dioxide on the climate is much greater than that of sulfur hexafluoride.
The environmental impact of solar panels is minimal compared to the amount of damage associated with the mining and burning of fossil fuels.
Solar Installation Is Expensive
Purchasing, and then installing, a solar energy system is expensive. Solar panels arent cheap, especially if you go with ones that are middle-of-the-road or better, which is what youd want in order to ensure panel longevity.
Its important to hire qualified solar panel installers. Any highly skilled worker or technician will charge a higher fee, but again, we think its worth it when it comes to your solar system installation. You want to make sure that your panels are set up in the appropriate spot, and are properly secured.
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Solar Energy Can Save You Money
While the cost of solar panel systems are declining, installing solar panels is still a significant investment. However, because solar energy is essentially free, the system will pay for itself and save you money on your electricity bill for literal decades! This savings is in the form of a significantly lower or no electricity bill at all.
In approximately 8 years after installation, your solar panel system will have completely paid for itself by providing free electricity to your home.4 After that, youll begin to earn money by simply doing nothing other than having solar panels. And these solar cells often last decades around 25 to 30 years, on average.5
There are also leasing options available for those who want to try solar panels out but do not want to buy just yet.
What Is The Environmental Impact Of Solar Energy
The potential environmental impacts associated with solar energy can vary widely by technology. These impacts are related to land use and habitat loss, water use, and the use of hazardous materials in manufacturing.
It includes two broad categories: photovoltaic solar cells or plant concentration solar thermal.
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It needs a large extension of land. Depending on their location, larger utility-scale solar installations may raise concerns about land degradation and habitat loss.
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Some plants need water to work. Solar thermal concentration plants require water to cool down. In addition, these plants require keeping the reflectors clean, the water consumption is higher.
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Some materials used can be dangerous. The manufacturing process includes a number of hazardous materials. Most of those materials are used to clean and purify the semiconductor surface. Thin-film photovoltaic cells contain a number of more toxic materials than those used in traditional silicon.
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Life cycle of global warming emissions. On operation, there are global warming emissions. However, there are emissions associated with other stages of the solar life cycle. It includes manufacturing, transportation of materials, installation, maintenance, and decommissioning and dismantling.
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Innovation On Recycling Solar Panels
The UK ranks among the top countries in the world for the use of solar energy, but the way forward requires sustainable growth.
To continue its momentum, the UK government must increase support and subsidies, as well as introduce effective regulations and policies for solar technologies. These policies should include:
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Efficient recycling solutions a priority with high-value solar recycling systems in place.
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Emphasis on repurposing materials wherever possible
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Innovation. The European Commissions Circular Business Models for the Solar Power Industry program brings forth solutions to waste e.g. repurposing solar panels for powering housing in Belgium.
Read about the UK governments intentions to decarbonise the UK and how here
Renewable And Sustainable Characteristics Of Biomass Energy
One of the main characteristics of biomass energy that makes it renewable is that its produced from organic materials like plants and animals. These materials can be replenished over and over again, unlike fossil fuels which are nonrenewable resources that will eventually run out.
This means that as long as there are plants and animals, we will have a source of biomass energy.
Another characteristic of biomass energy that makes it sustainable is that it can be generated from a variety of sources. Wood, agricultural residues, and even garbage can all be used to produce biomass energy.
This means that biomass energy has the potential to be more widely available than other sources of energy that are limited to specific geographic areas.
However, its important to note that biomass energy can also have negative impacts on the environment if its not properly managed. The cultivation of crops for biomass energy can lead to deforestation and other negative impacts on the environment, and the burning of biomass can release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
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Solar Panels Have A Long Lifespan
Although the initial installation cost of a solar energy system is high, the long-term return on investment is huge. This is due in part to the fact that solar panels have an average lifespan of 25-30 years.
Solar panels are also relatively low maintenance, so as long as you keep tree branches, etc. clear of your solar system, youre not going to have to constantly be buying expensive replacement parts, or even worse, and entire new system every few years.
Disadvantages Of Biomass Energy
In the previous section, we talked about the basics of biomass energy and some of its advantages as a source of renewable energy. But like any energy source, biomass energy also has its drawbacks. Lets take a look at some of the disadvantages of biomass energy.
One disadvantage of biomass energy is that it can produce greenhouse gases when its burned. Just like fossil fuels, the burning of biomass releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which can contribute to climate change.
This is a major concern for environmentalists, as it undermines one of the main benefits of biomass energy its potential to be a more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
Another disadvantage of biomass energy is that it requires a lot of land to grow the crops and other organic materials needed to produce it. This can lead to deforestation and other negative impacts on the environment.
Additionally, the cultivation of crops for biomass energy can compete with food production, which can lead to food shortages and higher food prices.
Biomass energy can also be expensive to produce. The cost of growing and harvesting crops or collecting and processing organic waste can be high, which can make biomass energy more expensive than other sources of energy.
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Final Thoughts On Advantages & Disadvantages Of Solar Energy
Solar energy is a great way to take advantage of the free energy provided by the sun. It offers several benefits, such as providing energy independence to homeowners and reducing the number of greenhouse gases emitted.
While there are many advantages to using solar energy, there are also a few downsides, such as the installation costs and dependence on sunlight, and environmental factors.
Solar panels are not very subtle in their appearance or aesthetic appeal, they will stand out and be noticeable to all your neighbors.
Despite its flaws, solar energy is a great alternative to conventional energy and fossil fuels and is a growing technology.
There is no doubt that the technology to capture solar energy will continue to improve in the future, presenting enhanced benefits and a wider variety of advantages.
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Solar Energy And How It Works
This article is about the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy, but before we can get into those, its important to give a quick rundown of what exactly solar energy is, and also how it works. Check out our full length article on solar energy and power if you want even more in-depth information!
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Advantages And Disadvantages Of Solar Energy
Solar energy is an emerging technology that captures radiant light and heat from the sun for human consumption. It is a renewable and non-polluting source of energy that can be used to produce electricity.
Solar energy has been criticized for its high installation cost and efficiency but has also proved to be beneficial. It is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and help combat climate change.
Solar energy has some distinct advantages alongside some slight disadvantages. The following sections below will explore some advantages and disadvantages in more detail.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Solar Batteries
One of the main advantages of solar batteries is their ability to provide energy independence from the grid. Solar batteries allow you to store excess solar energy when needed most, so you are not reliant on the grid for your electricity needs. This can be especially useful when power outages or high electricity prices are expected.
Another advantage of solar batteries is their ability to reduce electricity costs. Using stored solar energy instead of drawing power from the grid can save money on electricity bills. Solar batteries can also participate in demand response programs, which pay homeowners and businesses to reduce their electricity usage during peak demand periods.
While there are many advantages to using solar batteries, there are also some disadvantages. One disadvantage is the initial cost, as solar batteries can be expensive to purchase and install. Another disadvantage is the maintenance requirements, as solar batteries must be regularly checked and cared for to ensure they function correctly. Solar batteries also have a limited capacity, meanings they can only store a certain amount of electricity simultaneously. This can be an issue if the home or business has high energy needs or the solar energy system needs more electricity to meet those needs.
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Solar Electricity Can Be Sold Back To The Grid
Depending on where you live, you could be eligible for net metering. Net metering is an electric billing tool that uses the electric grid to store excess energy produced by your solar panel system. As you send this energy to the grid, your utility company will provide you with bill credits essentially, youll be able to sell excess solar energy produced by your solar panels to your utility company in exchange for reduced utility bills.
Solar Energy Reduces Reliance On Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are finite forms of energy. The main examples of human-used fossil fuels are coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Fossil fuels are the byproducts of the breakdown of organic matter over the course of millennia.
As the organic matter broke down and decayed, it got pushed further and further under the earths surface. There, it was exposed to extreme pressure and temperature, both of which caused the organic matter to turn into what we know as fossil fuels. It goes without saying that these materials took a long time to form, and as a result, the supplies are limited and finite.
Because humans will never not need power and energy, it makes sense that we would need to look elsewhere for energy sources that are renewable. Hence, solar energy and power.
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Disadvantages And Advantages Of Solar Energy
Solar energy is a topic of great interest for many people because it is a renewable energy source that can potentially help to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Solar energy does have some disadvantages as well as advantages.
One advantage of solar energy is that it is a renewable resource, meaning that it will never run out. Another advantage is that solar energy can be used to generate electricity, which can be used in homes and businesses.
Additionally, using solar energy can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. However, solar energy can also be expensive to install, and it isnt always reliable since it is dependent on the weather.
Cost Of Solar Panels Are Becoming More Affordable Year After Year
Solar panels are becoming more and more affordable every year. There is a race towards making solar panels affordable whilst also maintaining the quality of the solar panels.
As you can see by the graph created by Solar Choice, the cost of panels is decreasing every single year.
This is excellent to see and gives a glimpse into the future cost of solar panels which is forecast to keep coming more and more affordable.
However, there was an increase in panel costs due to a shipping crisis in 2021, mainly due to the effects of COVID19. You can read about this issue here.
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Disadvantage #: Some Potential Pollution Still Exists
Among the cons of solar energy, pollution and environmental impacts are concerning many modern citizens who want to go solar. But all energy production creates some level of environmental impact. Its unavoidable and nothings perfect.
Solar cell production uses a number of toxic metals such as lead, gallium arsenide, and cadmium. But these toxins are used inside production plants where strict environmental controls govern the operation, and none of it enters our environment. There are other impacts, too, like transportation and installation, but again, every power source has that.
The wind may be free energy with no pollution, but someone makes the windmills, and even geothermal power requires pipes, converters, and turbines. The key issue is that solar energy provides power with no direct impact on global warming. Its a good choice for you to fulfill your social responsibility.
If Your Electricity Costs Are Low So Are Your Solar Savings
The ultimate benefit of solar energy is that it will reduce your use of utility-provided electricity and save you money every month as a result. However, that condition assumes a homeowner has sizable electric bills to begin with. For a homeowner in a state like Louisiana where the cost of electricity is often 25 percent lower than the national average, installing a solar panel system isnt nearly as attractive as it is to a Hawaii homeowner who pays more than double the average electric rate.
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Solar Energy Can Be Paired With Solar Battery Storage
Solar panels and battery storage are an ideal combination when paired together. Battery storage allows you to store electricity and discharge it for later use, which is perfect for people who want to self-produce all of their own power and dont want to be reliant on the power grid or use fossil fuel generators.Home battery backup systems are designed to charge during the day and homeowners can either use that power at night, or save it up to power the house when the grid is down. We recommend having more than one battery installed to be sure that you have enough energy to power your home whenever you need it. Our standard package is two Tesla Powerwall units.
Solar Panels Have Long Lasting Warranties
Companies that design, test and manufacturer and solar panels include long lasting warranties with their products.
This shows that they have a lot of confidence in the performance of solar panels and that they are guaranteed to reach a minimum performance for a period of time.
Long lasting warranties are a big benefit of solar panels because they show that they wont break or stop performance within the first 10+ years installing them. Companies like Jinko, LG and SunPower offer great warranties.
Homeowners can feel like moving to solar is less risky, because they are covered by the solar panels warranties.
It also means they can work out their estimated saving given that there are no issues with the solar panels.
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What Is Net Metering
Net Metering is a system that allows a house to connect to the local electricity generation network and inject energy. It is especially useful for those technologies that produce renewable energy such as solar and wind energy.
In this way, when the house injects energy, the light meter works in reverse. At the end of the billing period, the customer only pays for her net consumption. It means, the total resources consumed, less the total resources generated.
Requires Sunny Weather To Work Best
Energy can only be generated when sunlight is hitting the face of the panel and being converted. Therefore if there is no sun, there will be no energy being produced.
Although solar panels can still generate power on cloudy days they perform best on sunny days. If you are in a location that doesnt get much sun, its probably best to look at other options for get a system that overcomes shading issues.
Your solar panel performance will be negatively affected if there is not enough sunlight hitting the panels on rainy days.
Just remember, luckily in Australia we get a lot of sun so it makes it worthwhile for us, even for those in Melbourne.
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Band 9 Ielts Essay Sample About The Growing Popularity Of Solar Energy
Furthermore, Solar energy is efficient as well as it is pollution free. The consumption of coal is expected to increase 71% between 2004 and 2030, highly motivated by developing countries that use coal to generate about 75% of their power. In 2017, solar power provided 1. The solar cells can merely bring forth DC. Ozzie Zehner Green Illusions Summary 1124 Words 5 Pages Part one consists of Zehner seemingly crushing any hope that alternative energy will gain traction in the world. It further talks about the future of solar power in Bangladesh and India. Economic Impacts Of Renewable Energy 1447 Words 6 Pages Economic Impact Solar collectors and photovoltaic cells are still relatively expensive, but this is subject to change over time, as more cost-efficient means of production may be found.
