How Can Homes Use Solar Power
If you are considering going solar, the most popular and efficient option is to install solar panels. Generally placed on the roof of the home because of exposure to sunlight, solar panels use Photovoltaic cells that absorb photons from sunlight. This then creates an electric field and that electricity can be used or harvested for later use.
Although solar panels are the best way to use solar energy to power your home, there are other ways to use solar energy that have a lower barrier to entry. For example, solar water heaters work in much the same way as solar panelsbut are less expensive to install than full solar panel systems. For the purposes of this article, however, the pros and cons of solar power will be based on solar panels.
How To Avoid Solar Safety Risks
Installing solar panels on your roof is a complex process. There is the risk of falling off while handling such heavy equipment. You should also watch out for overheating, electrical shocks, and other issues related to the electrical device.
Furthermore, the normal risks associated with carpentry and roofing are some of the most commonly occurring accidents.
The Occupational Safety And Health Administration has legally obligated companies to make sure that their employees go through the proper training and are provided with the right type of gear.
Some companies have also taken the extra step and created guidelines to ensure employees safety.
Lets see how you can minimize the the safety risks from solar panels installation.
It Saves You Money In The Long Run
The cost of installing solar panels or a solar electric system has decreased in recent years. Some may still find the initial investment in solar energy to be intimidating. However, the key is remembering that installation is a one-time event. Paying for conventional electricity is a frequent, ongoing, and expensive obligation, especially as electric rates continue to rise. Making the investment in running your home or building off of solar energy will save you considerably more money over time.
Also Check: The Advantages Of Solar Energy
Solar Panel Installations Can Be Expensive
As weve mentioned in a previous blog, investing in home solar panels is a bit like buying a car. Rooftop solar panels are a sizable investment. But, if you do your research, test drive a few, and make a smart and informed decision, your investment will provide great returns for many years.
However, for some, the end result might not be worth the investment of time and money, which is totally understandable. Even with the reduced 26% investment tax credit credit, the average price a solar installer charged $20,00010 for a 10 kWh system in 2021.
This is why we offer solar electricity plans for people who still want to benefit from going solar but cant afford the initial cost of installing panels.
What Can We Do To Improve Things
Solar panels are an effective and cost-effective option to produce power for your home. Theyre also extremely clean and will greatly reduce your carbon footprint. Investing in solar panels shouldnt be a reason to avoid even though the manufacturing process and other aspects arent perfect yet.
Every solar panel purchased helps fund the development of research and results in improvements to the quality of the product. There are many aspects which can be improved and they will hopefully get better with time. These are the most significant things that could be improved.
- Higher levels of efficiency throughout the day
- Evening use: More efficient solar batteries
- Additional investment into floating panels for reservoirs
- To reduce the amount of emissions, a cleaner manufacturing process is needed.
- Alternatives to huge amounts of water in cooling systems
Research and development in the future will help to make these possibilities. Continue making investments in solar panel technology, and help the advancement of better panels. We can have more efficient, stronger, and more effective solar energy with the help of the people.
Read Also: How Much Is A Sole Proprietorship In Texas
Get Free Quotes On Solar Power
We are here to help you and best match your needs! Whether youre interested in solar energy or solar thermal or simply not sure which option is the best for you. Let us know your needs and preferences on the top of this page. We will then contact you to ask some further questions and connect you with our professional suppliers. You will get up to 4 non-binding quotes for free!
Is Solar Energy Good Or Bad For The Environment
This article has been fact checked by a third party fact-checking organization.
There are pros and cons to solar energy. On the one hand, solar energy is a clean energy source that doesnt produce any emissions. It also has the potential to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
However, solar energy also has a few drawbacks. For one, its not always available in places where its needed the most. And even when it is, it can be expensive to install. Additionally, solar energy doesnt always produce the same amount of electricity as other energy sources.
Overall, solar energy is good for the environment in that its a clean energy source. It has the potential to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, solar energy also has some drawbacks, and is not always available or affordable.
You May Like: Do Solar Panels Save You Money
Solar Power Is A Free Source Of Energy
The sun provides us with more energy than we could ever use, and no one can monopolise the sunlight. Your solar power system will start saving money from the moment its turned on, however, the advantages of solar power are best visible in the long-term. The longer you have your solar power system, the more you enjoy the benefits of solar technology and support the environment.
Aside from solar electricity, solar energy has a second application. We often associate solar energy with electricity, which is acquired through PV panels, but its also possible to use the energy generated by the sun for heating purposes. This process is accomplished by deploying solar thermal systems that simply convert the sunlight into heating solutions.
The acceptance of solar technology is at hand and we can start by increasing our use of solar panels.
When Are Solar Panels Worth It
There are various ways solar panels pay off, ranging from reducing your carbon footprint to increasing your homes value. Recently, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that for a home with a solar power system, every dollar saved on energy increases a homes value by $20. That is a 20-to-1 return on investment .
Here are some factors to help you maximize the value of your solar investment.
Recommended Reading: How To Install Solar String Lights
Is Solar Energy A Long
Sooner or later humanity needs to get its head around the fact that the only long-term sustainable energy solution is solar energy. This is simply borne out by the immense amount of energy potential that the sun can provide versus any other renewable resource such as wind, nuclear, biomass or geothermal.
Is solar energy long lasting?
As long as you can avoid physical damage to your solar panels, they will continue to produce energy for many years, possibly far beyond the 25 to 30 year lifetime of typical solar panels. You can even buy specialty products to prevent specific types of physical damage to your panels.
Solar Power Improves Grid Security
When there are many of us switching to solar power, we are less likely to experience blackouts or brownouts. Every household in the UK that have solar cells installed, functions as a small power plant. This, in turn, provides us with a greater electricity grid security, especially in terms of natural or human-caused disasters.
With the help of solar panel grants, you can also be paid to export electricity back to the grid.
Recommended Reading: Is A Sole Proprietorship A Dba
What Are 10 Disadvantages Of Solar Energy
Contents
10 Disadvantages Of Solar Panels This may interest you : What are the 3 types of energy?.
- High upfront cost.
- The size of the system depends on your available space.
- It needs sunny weather to work best.
- Manufacturing solar panels can be harmful to the environment.
- Low power conversion rate.
- Cannot be used at night.
- The solar panels are attached to their installed location.
What are 2 disadvantages of solar power bad things?
Solar Reduces Water Pollution
This one is a little less obvious, but certainly one of the biggest environmental advantages of solar. While all manufacturing processes require some water, including those used to make solar panels, the total amount of water needed to generate solar electricity is dramatically less than more traditional electricity sources. Older technologies such as nuclear, natural gas, coal and hydroelectric facilities, all require massive amounts of water. With solar energy, theres almost no risk to local water resources, nor does their operation strain local supplies by competing with agriculture, drinking systems, and other vital water needs. This is particularly important as we continue to navigate a 10+ year drought here in Arizona.
You May Like: How To Become A Sole Proprietor In Illinois
Start Saving From Day One
Once your solar system is up, you can start saving from day one. You dont have to wait for months or even years to start reaping the benefits of going green with a solar system. Annual energy costs often run into thousands of dollars. With a solar system, you start saving right away once your system is up. You can learn more about other benefits of going green with solar here.
General Benefits Of Solar Energy
Solar energy is readily available for use upon installation. It is renewable and inexhaustible in whatever quantity required. Below are the general benefits of solar energy.
- Power bills are no longer part of your budget
- Diverse applications without limits
- There are low or no maintenance cost
- Technology development of more efficient panels
- It is weather dependent
- Solar energy can be stored
This form of energy has many social benefits ranging from economics, oil dependence to produce electricity, health benefits, reduction of energy imports for countries that are not self-sufficient in the generation of their own power, and local development, among others.
Solar energy is renewable and inexhaustible, which makes it the best source of energy anywhere though it has not been adopted as widely as it should be. If governments can make programs that incorporate the use of solar energy, then the world would be a better place.
The generation of electricity depends on the burning of fossil fuels. The companies that produce electricity entirely depend on oil. Air pollution and environmental pollution remain high because the demand for electricity is quite high.
Dependence on oil can only go down by the widespread use of solar energy. This reduces the amount of pollution and the harsh environmental effects that come about as a result of energy production.
See Related: Should You Buy or Lease Solar Panels?
Don’t Miss: How To Do Taxes For A Sole Proprietorship
It Can Make Use Of The Underutilized Land
With the increasing needs for solar power nowadays, the use of this renewable power resource can become more accessible for every homeowner. Apart from providing suitable power for your home, solar energy can also make use of the underutilized land and generate substantial value for the area.
There are vast land areas from various countries across the globe that are far away from big capitals or cities. Most of these areas might not be used for anything at all. However, solar energy can make use of these underutilized land more conveniently by installing photovoltaic solar panels on the area.
Also referred to as a photovoltaic power station, solar farms are a vast, decentralized solar array that supplies energy to the power grid. The primary idea of having solar farms is providing suitable electricity for every homeowner even without installing these solar panels on their roof.
Solar Is The Most Versatile Form Of Alternative Energy
Unlike other types of alternative energy like wind energy which needs wide open spaces with ample wind changes and hydroelectric power which needs a large water source, solar energy can be used in essentially every environment. This makes solar energy the versatile form of clean alternative energy. While output is lower on cloudy days or in climates without as much regular sun exposure, solar panels are always working. No matter where you live, solar energy is a great investment.
Don’t Miss: How To Figure Out How Many Solar Panels You Need
Batteries For Solar Panels
Alongside these drawbacks of solar power, theres also the issue of batteries.
High efficiency storage batteries are needed to enable countries with low sunlight hours to store solar energy theyve collected for later.
Batteries containing a number of chemicals, lithium, zinc , manganese and potassium which all need to be mined.
This is where the environmental impact of solar power starts to get hazy.
While we are a long way from being completely powered by clean energy sources, we have certainly made significant progress over the past decade, specifically since the 2016 Paris Agreement.
But we must tread carefully. Its important to weigh up the advantages of solar energy whilst acknowledging the potential negatives of solar power and its impact on the environment.
Is Solar Bad For The Environment
Solar power systems / power plants do not produce air pollution or greenhouse gases. The use of solar energy can have a positive and indirect effect on the environment when solar energy replaces or reduces the use of other energy sources that have greater effects on the environment.
Why is solar energy bad for the environment? Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity. When these panels enter landfills, valuable resources go to waste. And because solar panels contain toxic materials such as lead that can be released as they break down, landfilling also poses new environmental hazards.
Don’t Miss: How Much Are Solar Panels Per Watt
Solar Power Provides Financial Benefits
Not only can solar power lower your electricity bills on a monthly basis, but it can also add value to your home. The resell value of homes typically increases with the addition of solar panels, more so than even a kitchen remodel or other typical features. In some places, net metering even allows you to sell excess solar energy produced back to the grid.
Installing solar provides a return on investment that you dont get on regular utility bills. This means that solar panels add value through multiple channels as an investment.
Take Benefit Of Government And Private Incentives
The government of Pakistan created the Alternative Energy Development Board for the sole purpose of facilitating the public.
As of 2015, the government of Pakistan guarantees, subject to certain conditions, a 16 per cent $-indexed return. Cost benefits are also given to the import of solar energy equipment.
Net Metering is also a provision that works on selling your solar electricity generation back to the utility company. Any power you generate and don’t use flows back into the grid, and you receive a credit from your utility company for that power.
If you’re on vacation for a week, your solar energy system will supply all your electricity to the grid. That way, when you return, you’ll feel you’ve saved money.
Recommended Reading: Can You Pressure Wash Solar Panels
Going Solar Will Reduce Greenhouse Gas And Co2 Emissions
The average Arizona home consumes just under 13,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. Even a modestly-sized solar energy system can easily reduce that number by 80% while many can even approach 100%. Even at these levels, the environmental impact of solar is substantial. Over twenty years, producing just 80% of the average homes annual energy requirements, a solar energy system will offset the equivalent CO2 emissions from over 150,000 pounds of coal burned, or the greenhouse gas emissions from 45 tons of landfill waste! *
Solar Energy Storage Is Expensive
Heres the hard reality: Energy storage devices for rooftop solar panels cost thousands and thousands of dollars. Perhaps the most advanced product on the market today, Teslas Powerwall costs around $7,200 as of April 2021 for one solar battery and how many you need depends on your current electricity bills Additionally, Tesla only sells the Powerwall to those who also buy solar panels.
The reason why solar storage and energy storage in general is so expensive is that its uncharted territory. In 2010, you would have paid $40,000 for an average residential solar system, whereas todaythe price is half that.11 Were optimistic that 10 years from now, solar storage along with the panels themselves will cost even less than they are today.
This is why most rooftop solar owners currently opt for a net metering setup. With this arrangement, your retail electricity provider agrees to buy excess solar power off your hands. Chariot Energy happens to be one of those providers! During peak generating hours, the excess solar energy you generate and dont use is added to the grid. In turn, your electricity company will pay you for the energy you supplement to your local area.
You May Like: Does Solar Work When Power Goes Out
The Rise Of Electric Vehicles
One of the most significant sources of carbon dioxide in the environment is traditional vehicles. Switching from petrol and diesel-powered to electric solar energy-powered vehicles is a great way forward towards saving the environment.
These vehicles help in lessening the amount of carbon dioxide emissions. Theyll also save you trips to the gas station to purchase petrol and put an increasing strain on the countrys fossil fuel resources and the environment.
Solar Power Uses Underutilized Land And Surfaces
Solar panels can take up a relatively small amount of space and be placed on surfaces that would otherwise not be utilized. Not only can they be used on unutilized land areas in the form of solar farms, but there are an increasing number of innovative ways in which to use solar panels and how to place them to minimize disturbance and maximize aesthetic appeal.
From being placed on the roofs of houses and buildings to being used as the screens on the side of balconies and walls, solar panels can be mounted flat along almost any surface that gets sunshine. This flexibility means that they take up very little space and can be accommodated easily in various settings.
Also Check: Does Community Solar Save Money
