Solar Energy Advantages Disadvantages

Solar energy advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of solar energy

• There is virtually an unlimited supply of solar energy for us to use and it is renewable. This means that our reliance on fossil fuels can be reduced in direct proportion by the amount of solar energy that we produce. With the constantly increasing demands on our traditional energy sources and the climbing costs related to these increases, solar is quickly becoming a necessity.
• Solar energy is an excellent alternative energy source because there is no pollution generated while it is being used so we actually reduce pollution with every watt of power generated from the sun. Even if we can’t reduce how much energy is used we should at least control where that energy comes from.
• There is no cost involved with using solar power other that the cost of manufacturing the components, purchasing and installation. After your initial investment there is no further cost associated with its use.
• Solar energy systems are flexible and expandable. This means that your first solar project can be a small one and you can expand your solar electric system to meet your needs by installing more panels. By starting with a small project you can avoid a major investment up front.
• As our use of solar energy increases, our demand on fossil fuels decreases. This will extend the time before our supply of fossil fuels (oil and natural gas etc…) expires or costs become so high only the rich can afford them.
• There is no pollution associated with the use of solar power. No smoke stacks pumping greenhouse gasses into the air means less pollution.
• A solar electric system installed in a home could potentially eliminate 18 tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the environment each year.
• Using solar energy is a silent process. No noise pollution.
• With space heating appliances using fossil fuels there is always the risk of a cracked heat exchanger, which can cause CO2 poisoning (Carbon Dioxide). This is not a problem when using solar energy.
• A great advantage of solar is for remote applications. It is the best way to supply electricity to isolated places in the world where the cost associated with installing power distribution lines makes it impractical or impossible.
• Solar energy can be used to heat water and for space heating.
• You can build your own system from collecting the parts required or purchase one of the many solar kits that are available. Using kits takes a lot of the work out of building your own system.

Solar energy disadvantages

• Potentially large areas of land are required for large-scale commercial solar energy projects. A self sufficient home system doesn’t have this concern.
• An unfortunate disadvantage of this renewable energy source are the up front costs associated with installing a solar system.
• Many places in the world don’t have enough constant and intense sunshine to make commercial use of solar energy practical.
• If you live in a region where sunshine is limited it may be difficult to produce a constant supply of solar energy. This problem can be eliminated by installing a intertie system (a system connected to the grid so that extra power generated by your system can be used by the utility company and during times when your system produces less power than you require, extra energy is available from the grid)

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