In an effort to cut back on high energy costs and reduce their environmental footprint, many homeowners are starting to integrate residential solar systems into their homes. The many benefits of solar energy, including solar panel efficiency, low maintenance and lower monthly energy bills make installing a solar array an attractive option. However, just as with many major home renovations, solar energy comes with it fair share of disadvantages, as well. Before hiring anyone to install a solar array on their roof, homeowners should first consider solar energy pros and cons.
Pros of Solar Energy
- Renewable – One greatest solar energy advantages is that it is a renewable source of energy. Unlike fossil fuels, coal and nuclear resources, which are extremely limited, solar energy will never run out — that is as long as the sun continues to shine! The abundance of solar energy makes it an economically smart choice when it comes to energy.
- Sustainable – Because solar energy is both abundant and renewable, we don’t have to worry about using it all up and leaving nothing for future generations. Solar energy is able to sustain both the current population and populations for years to come.
- Environmentally Friendly – Climate change is one of the biggest issues facing our planet today, and accessing and using other types of energy sources is one of the biggest contributors to this problem. Harnessing solar energy doesn’t give off any dangerous emissions, making it the best choice for preserving the environment.
Cons of Solar Energy
- Expensive – One of the greatest downsides of using solar energy is the cost. It is pretty expensive to install solar panels on a roof, especially when creating a large array to increase solar panel efficiency. That said, there are government subsidies available for people who install solar panels, and they can look forward to savings on their energy bills in the future.
- Unreliable – Solar arrays can only turn the sun’s rays into energy when the sun is shining. At best, this happens for about 12 hours a day. However, many places have unpredictable amounts of sun and clouds, making it hard to harness the sun’s energy and decreasing solar panel efficiency.
- Space-dependent – A big factor that comes into play when considering installing a solar array is roof space. For homeowners with limited flat rood surface area, solar panels may not even be an option. Luckily, most homes have large amounts of unused roof space and can be fitted with even a small solar array.
Solar energy is a great option for many homeowners, but it is important to weigh the pros and cons before investing in such a big project. If homeowners are still excited about the prospect of using solar energy after considering the various advantages and disadvantages, then they should take the next step and make a call to a nearby solar energy installer. Read more like this.
