Author: Anita Van Wyk

Many of us know that solar energy is good, but few really
understand why.

Therefore, I compiled a comprehensive list of solar energy
advantages and disadvantages that will enable you to make an
educated decision whether on not Solar Power is right for YOU.
Solar Energy Advantages

1. Saves you money

• After the initial investment has been recovered, the
  energy from the sun is practically FREE.
• The recovery/
  payback period for this investment can be very short depending
  on how much electricity your household uses.
• Financial
  incentives are available form the government that will reduce
  your cost.
• If your system produce more energy than you
  use, your utility company can buy it from you, building up a
  credit on your account! This is called net metering.
• It
  will save you money on your electricity bill if you have one at
  all.
• Solar energy does not require any fuel.
• It’s not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and is
  therefore not subjected to the ever-increasing price of
  gasoline.
• The savings are immediate and for many years
  to come.
• The use of solar energy indirectly reduces
  health costs.

2. Environmentally friendly

• Solar Energy is clean, renewable (unlike gas, oil and
  coal) and sustainable, helping to protect our environment.
• It does not pollute our air by releasing carbon dioxide,
  nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide or mercury into the atmosphere
  like many traditional forms of electrical generations does.
• Therefore Solar Energy does not contribute to global
  warming, acid rain or smog.
• It actively contributes to
  the decrease of harmful green house gas emissions.
• It’s
  generated where it is needed.
• By not using any fuel,
  Solar Energy does not contribute to the cost and problems of the
  recovery and transportation of fuel or the storage of
  radioactive waste.

3. Independent/ semi-independent

• Solar Energy can be utilized to offset utility-supplied
  energy consumption. It does not only reduce your electricity
  bill, but will also continue to supply your home/ business with
  electricity in the event of a power outage.
• A Solar
  Energy system can operate entirely independent, not requiring a
  connection to a power or gas grid at all. Systems can therefore
  be installed in remote locations (like holiday log cabins),
  making it more practical and cost-effective than the supply of
  utility electricity to a new site.
• The use of Solar
  Energy reduces our dependence on foreign and/or centralized
  sources of energy, influenced by natural disasters or
  international events and so contributes to a sustainable
  future.
• Solar Energy supports local job and wealth
  creation, fuelling local economies.

4. Low/ no maintenance

• Solar Energy systems are virtually maintenance free and
  will last for decades.
• Once installed, there are no
  recurring costs.
• They operate silently, have no moving
  parts, do not release offensive smells and do not require you to
  add any fuel.
• More solar panels can easily be added in
  the future when your family’s needs grow.

Solar Energy Disadvantages

• The initial cost is the main disadvantage of installing
  a solar energy system, largely because of the high cost of the
  semi-conducting materials used in building one.
• The
  cost of solar energy is also high compared to non-renewable
  utility-supplied electricity. As energy shortages are becoming
  more common, solar energy is becoming more
  price-competitive.
• Solar panels require quite a large
  area for installation to achieve a good level of
  efficiency.
• The efficiency of the system also relies on
  the location of the sun, although this problem can be overcome
  with the installation of certain components.
• The
  production of solar energy is influenced by the presence of
  clouds or pollution in the air.
• Similarly, no solar
  energy will be produced during nighttime although a battery
  backup system and/or net metering will solve this problem. See
  www.dsireusa.org for details on how net metering allows you to
  save electricity and money.
• As far as solar powered
  cars go – their slower speed might not appeal to everyone caught
  up in today’s rat race.

To learn more about solar energy, go to href=”http://facts-about-solar-energy.com/”>http://facts-about-so
lar-energy.com/

You’ll discover …

• what solar energy is
• how solar energy works
• interesting facts about
  solar energy
• how much solar energy costs
• passive solar energy for homes, and
• how to build
  solar energy systems

There’s a whole section for students, teachers and parents;
whiles homeowners can obtain FREE QUOTES for their solar energy
projects. You’ll find book and product reviews plus some helpful
energy saving tips.

Please email any questions to href=”mailto:info@facts-about-solar-energy.com”>info@facts-about-
solar-energy.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-solar-energy-1279.html

About the Author:The author strives to make make more people aware of the benefits of using solar energy through her website http://facts-about-solar-energy.com