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.
Solar Power Is Difficult To Diy
The Do-It-Yourself approach to home improvement has become a popular option among people who want to cut costs and work with their hands. Since buying and installing solar panels has become easier in recent years, its become one of the new DIY trends. However, many home improvement experts counsel people not to perform DIY solar panel installations:
- Wiring your system requires specialized training and electrical know-how
- A tricky roofline requires special panel layouts and equipment, which increases the difficulty of a DIY project
- Aligning your panels to maximize your energy generation can require advanced modeling and design work
- Installation requires permitting and approvals from your Authority Having Jurisdiction that can be complex to request and schedule
- Most homeowners dont own the necessary safety equipment to work on a roof without risk of injury
Though the internet has lots of information about how to DIY a solar power installation, you may want to reconsider such a project, even if you think you have the skills. You and your buddies probably dont have the experience to match the quality work produced by well-trained and experienced professionals, especially if you want your solar power system to work reliably for 25 years or longer. Should you make any mistake during the installation process, it may be more costly than the money you would have saved.
If You Cant Access Solar Financing Up
Theres a nationwide debate going on about how much homeowners have to pay out-of-pocket for solar. The total out-of-pocket price tag for a solar panel system depends on tax credits, rebates, and the financing option you choose. Though you can easily get a figure for the average cost of solar in your state or even a personalized estimate for your home, the simple answer is that the up-front cost of solar is sizable if you dont qualify for a zero-down solar loan.
The disadvantage of solar energy here is clear: not everyone has the cash on hand to make an investment of this size with an up-front payment. That being said, there are a number of solar financing options to help you get around this solar con such as state-backed loan programs, leases and power purchase agreements.
Don’t Miss: How Much Power Does A 350 Watt Solar Panel Produce
Solar Energy: Definition Advantages And Disadvantages
Using renewable energy instead of fossil fuels is key to sustainable development. Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular across the UK with more than one million households already relying on solar power. In this article, well look at some solar energy pros and cons and some solar energy facts.
Sommaire :
Do something good for the planet and your wallet
Compare green electricity and biogas providers with Selectra.
Solar Energy Will Reduce Your Electric Bill
After working in the solar industry for so long, we know that the main reason for installing solar panels is to save on electric bills. Homeowners are tired of the high bills that keep increasing every single day, especially in California.
If you are looking at how to save on electric bills, you know that the solar solution is one of the most popular. So, how does this happen? With solar panels installed in your home, you can generate your own power. So, at the end of the month, your electric bill will have been reduced drastically. Your electric bill is reduced because your energy requirements are served by the electricity generated by your solar system.
The amount of dollars you save on your monthly electric bill is dependent on the size of your solar system. Also, the amount of energy used in your home determines how high the electric bill comes in at. Sometimes you will be able to channel the extra energy to the primary grid and earn rebates back on the extra energy that you have generated. Through this, you will receive payment from the power company for the energy that you export.
Recommended Reading: How Do Solar Loans Work
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.
See Return On Your Investment
Solar panels not only eliminate your electric bill, they can also be a source of extra income. As we mentioned before, net metering allows you to earn money by selling excess power your solar panels generate to your utility.
Some states have other performance-based incentives, like Solar Renewable Energy Credits , that have the potential to earn you hundreds of dollars a year, depending on where you live.
The money you earn from net metering, combined with your electric bill savings and other incentives, goes towards paying back the cost of your system. In areas that have all of these incentives, the payback time for a solar panel system can be as little as four years.
Once your system is paid off, your solar panels will continue to generate free power for your home for the lifetime of the system!
Don’t Miss: How Many Kwh Can A Solar Panel Produce Per Day
Energy Independence From The Grid
If you have ever had to withstand days or weeks-long power outages the idea of being able to be in control of your own power system is ideal.
Alternatively, those who prefer to keep a house or cabin off-grid for whatever reason can install solar panels to create their own independent source of energy.
Whatever your reasoning, with the right equipment you can create your own independent clean energy system using solar panels. This generally requires the use of a solar battery system to store energy.
If this is your goal make sure to consult your solar installer to make sure you get all of the equipment you need to power your home if there is a grid-wide power outage.
We Are Using More Energy Than 10 Years Ago
Something not many people consider when buying solar panels. Ive had heaps of old customers rip off their installation from 10 years ago and replace it with a much bigger and better system. Simply because, they are now using double the amount of energy compared to 10 years ago.
Think about it, ten years ago we barely had smartphones. Nowadays, we have a smartphone for every user in the house, plus kitchen appliances like air fryers, toasters. Microwaves.
Dont forget about the laptops, tablets, headphones all consuming energy to charge at the same time. This is a lot more energy than 10 years ago
And of course think about the way the future is moving. We are heading into the digital age so its best to future proof your home and buy a system that will still be big enough in 10 years.
Recommended Reading: What Will Harbor Freight Solar Panels Run
Solar Raises Your Property Value
The idea that the installation of solar panels could increase your property value is something that you should consider. The consumer reality portrays the inevitable benefits of having solar in your home. Research shows that your home increases in value as long as you have solar system installation.
How does this happen?
Many people looking to buy or rent homes are considering homes with already installed solar panels. These buyers already know the value and advantages of solar energy, such as saving on electric bills.
If you decide to move in the future, you will earn your investment cost on solar power back when selling your home. The solar system is adding to the real estate market value and your home resale value will not be the same as it would be without panels.
Clients are going for homes with already installed solar panels due to the high cost of installation. They find it cheaper to buy a house with solar panels, saving them the back and forth of doing due diligence. In addition, a home with solar panels is already generating its energy compared to that without solar.
Solar Panel Disposal And Pollution
Solar panels are the cornerstone of sustainability and can help eliminate our dependence on carbon-based fuels. Among the compounds found in solar panels are cadmium and lead. Metals that need to be disposed of properly. In addition, toxic materials and hazardous products are used during the manufacturing process of solar parts. Which can indirectly affect the environment. But despite this, solar energy creates far less pollution than other alternative energy sources.
Recommended Reading: Do You Have To Clean Solar Panels
Some Solar Panels Use Rare Earth Metals
The name rare earth metals is a bit misleading these elements are actually in ample supply. However, its the extracting of these elements for use in wind turbines and solar cells that has negative impacts on the environment and the humans that mine them.12
Additionally, these rare earth elements carry a political weight to them. From 2014 to 2017, China supplied the U.S. with 80% of its rare earths imports.14 These materials, which are critical to the creation of most modern technology, have the potential to play a giant role in shaping economies around the world.
Luckily, leading technology companies, such as Apple, are exploring methods to recycle these rare earth elements to maintain a steady supply, which keeps costs from inflating because of ever-increasing demand.15
Overall Advantages Of A Solar Panel System And Solar Energy
Most people can benefit from solar power. Savings from electricity bills are among the main pros of solar system. You can be a producer of your own energy.
Having a solar energy system installed in your home means that you can enjoy low maintenance costs as well as most manufacturers offering a generous 10 years up to 25 years warranty.
So, why are solar panels good? Solar panels are a cheaper source of energy. The cost of solar continues to drop. In fact, it is now cheaper than before with a 70% price drop in the past decade.
Plus, you can take advantage of the solar incentives from the government to make the installation of a solar energy system even cheaper.
With solar energy, you have the best opportunity to access modern, sustainable, reliable, and an affordable source of energy. Homeowners not only benefit from solar energy, but so do business owners.
After all, solar energy is renewable and you arent contributing to the negative impacts to the environment.
Recommended Reading: Is There A State Tax Credit For Solar Panels
Solar Power Helps Us Build An Environmentally Friendly Future
Solar panel systems, when used efficiently, allow us to produce electricity without contributing to pollution. By investing in solar, the world over is investing in clean energy that will help reduce the negative effects of traditional energy and offer long-term benefits that help fight climate change.
What do you think gives solar the advantage? What makes it less beneficial compared to other clean energy? Tell us in the comments!
Image credit: via Pexels under CC license
Disadvantage Of Solar Energy #2 Solar Panels Dont Work At Night
Although research into solar panels that work at night is ongoing, they dont yet exist in any viable form.
Solar panels work best in full sunshine during the four or five hours around mid-day. Power output reduces rapidly in the early morning and late evening
The blue curve shows solar output in the day with no solar tracking generation at night is zero.
If power is required at night, for an off-grid solar power system for example, then batteries will be required.
The additional cost of batteries to a solar installation can be up to 30% of the overall cost, which is a major disadvantage.
Even for a grid-tie system its not ideal, as during the night power is taken from the grid. Although the home-owner is credited for solar over-production, a few cloudy days could severely reduce the savings associated with on grid solar.
One solution is to install home energy storage batteries, even if connected to the grid. In this way they will always be topped up and ready to supply power at night or during an outage.
You May Like: How To Set Up A Small Solar Panel System
Con : Youll Need To Make Sure That Trees Stay Out Of The Way
Shade will absolutely wreck your solar electricity production. If you dont have any trees shading your roof today, thats great. But what if you have a little sapling in your yard? Will it grow up to be a big oak tree in a couple decades and ruin your solar production?
Before going ahead with a solar installation, take a careful look around your property, and make sure that landscaping wont be a problem after a decade or two of growth.
Why You Should Invest In Solar Battery Storage
Solar panels can be a good way to reduce your energy costs,but if you want to be even more self-sufficient, you need a battery. A regularsolar panel system may be connected to your home energy network, but if thereis an outage, you will lose power. A battery makes it possible to store thesolar power you collect during the day so you can use it throughout the nightor during an outage.
In addition to reducing your financial output, solarbatteries can help reduce your carbon footprint.
Increase Your Solar Power Use
On a sunny day, your solar panels may collect more energythan you are currently using. This energy is directed back into the power grid,where it is used elsewhere. However, if you want to ensure that your home isusing as much of that power as possible, you can collect it in your batterystorage. This allows solar power to be used as needed in your home.
Often, homes use more power at certain times and those timesarent always when the panels are collecting sufficient solar power. For example,in the evenings, many families have multiple screens turned on, lights, and thedishwasher going. It can be a busy time, but if you havent stored energy foruse, youre using mains electricity during that time.
Save More Money
Skip the Outages
A solar battery system can easily be set up in your garageor basement so you dont need to worry about it. It connects to your homesystem and can be completely integrated to work for you when you need it.
You May Like: When Do Federal Solar Tax Credits Expire
Finding Quality Local Solar Installers And Easily Comparing Quotes Can Be Difficult
Theres a common association that many homeowners have with solar. It has to do with pushy door-to-door solar sales reps that pressure consumers to sign a 20-year solar contract before they explain the full scope of the offer or the credibility of the solar company. Solar is one of the fastest growing markets in the world, and there are plenty of companies that are deploying aggressive sales tactics to get their fair share of the market. As a result, for many people, shopping for solar can be a stressful and confusing scenario. Luckily, there are easier ways to shop for solar that puts the homeowner in control. The EnergySage Marketplace is a 100% online comparison-shopping platform that allows you to compare solar quotes from top pre-screened installers in your area.
Solar Can Pay You Money While Youre Earning Back Your Investment
Due to a number of awesome solar incentives in the U.S., solar panels can actually turn you a profit in addition to generating bill savings that pay off the cost of the system. Solar renewable energy credits and net metering are two key advantages of solar energy that allow you to earn bill credits as your system produces electricity. In these scenarios, you are being compensated for the electricity that your solar panels generate. If you live in a state where either of these incentives apply, you can expect both immediate and long-term returns from your solar investment.
You May Like: Do Solar Panels Add Value
What Is A Dc Coupled Solar Battery
DC coupled: This means your battery needs to be connected to a hybrid inverter. A hybrid inverter simply means it is a battery charger and traditional solar inverter in one. Essentially the power comes in from the solar panels in DC form , it feeds into the battery via the DC battery charger. The battery then sends the DC power back out, through the battery charger component, and into the inverter. The inverter component then converts the DC to AC. The Alternating Current , is then fed back to the house via the metre box.
Batteries such as the LG Chem Resu these batteries need this type of hybrid inverter to achieve the DC coupling set up. Please note these products are limited to single-phase properties. Further speciality conversion devices are required if this battery set up is required for a 3 Phase property.
