mitrobeThe advantages of solar energy have been debated and argued for decades. Solar power is renewable, sustainable, cost-effective, and reliable.
The sun is a natural resource so it saves on fossil fuels that are costly to mine and transport. In this blog post, we will list some interesting advantages of solar energy which you should consider when deciding whether or not to go green with your home.
What is Solar Energy?
Solar energy is the conversion of sunlight into electricity. It can be used to heat and cool homes, power vehicles, or generate electricity on a large scale (solar farms).
41 Advantages of Solar Energy
1. Solar energy is one of the fastest-growing sources of power in the world. There are many advantages that you can get from solar, and it’s time to take a look at them!
2. In Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya especially, the sun is the most common form of energy used by households and businesses.
It has been estimated that a household in Uganda can save up to $4500 USD per year on fuel costs if they install solar panels. In some cases, it’s possible for families to completely stop using fossil fuels (including kerosene for lamps, charcoal for cooking).
3. Solar energy can be used at any time of the day or night. It offers a reliable and sustainable source of power.
4. A solar cell is made up of photovoltaic materials such as cells (that are linked together and mounted on the roof or other surface facing towards the sun) that are sensitive to light particles (photons). When they’re hit by these photons, electrons will move from one atom to another, creating a current flow.
This electricity can then be used in many ways – for example powering an electrical appliance or charging a mobile phone.
5. Solar energy can be used at any time of the day or night.
6. The sun’s rays are not constant all around the world, but they do have a peak during daylight hours (11 am -sundown). Solar panels capture this sun power when it is most abundant and convert it to electricity for use in homes and businesses.
7. Efficient solar panels will produce up to four times more electricity in the same time period than other means of generating power, such as a coal plant.
8. Solar Energy is (arguably) clean. See the argument here.
9. Solar power does not produce any harmful emissions and the raw materials needed to create solar panels are abundant, inexhaustible, and can be recycled.
This is much different from traditional forms of energy production that heavily pollute our environment with toxins like sulfur dioxide (SO02). Coal plants emit more than 14 lbs of CO². An acre of solar panels can absorb up to 60,000 lbs of carbon dioxide per year
10. Solar power is more than just an energy alternative; it’s a way for you to do your part in preserving the environment
11. It uses no fuel or water
12. Unlike fossil fuels like coal and natural gas that release greenhouse gases, solar panels produce no pollution
13. The materials required to manufacture a solar cell are much less than what is needed to make an equivalent burning coal plant
14. Solar power does not produce any nuclear waste or other hazardous byproducts that may be harmful to humans and animals
15. Unlike natural gas plants, there’s no risk of a solar plant catching on fire
16. Solar power plants require less land usage and can be built near population centers, while coal plants are usually located in rural areas far from cities
17. It is possible for a homeowner to go off the grid by relying solely on his or her rooftop panels
18. Solar panels can be installed on rooftops and parking lots, they do not need a lot of space
19. The sun’s rays are free!
20. A solar panel system will produce energy for about 30 year, compare that to the time frame of burning coal which lasts only a few years
21. Solar panels can operate in rain or snow, unlike coal plants that require dry conditions to function
22. It is cheaper to produce electricity from solar power than it is to use fossil fuels
23. Another big up is environmental friendliness
24. Solar energy can be used to produce water and fuel, unlike coal plants which only produce electricity
25. Solar panels are more efficient than ever before
26. There is no need for a nuclear reactor that could potentially meltdown or release radioactive material into the atmosphere
27. Solar energy is helping to create more jobs
28. Solar panels can be scaled up or down and are easy to install
29. Solar energy is a clean form of power that has many advantages over coal plants.
30. Solar Panel is safe for humans and the environment.
31. Solar power is renewable, and it doesn’t pollute or cause global warming as fossil fuels do
32. Solar panels in a home are more efficient than solar cells in space
33. Maintenance of Solar energy is usually low
34. It is accessible to small and large-scale users
35. Solar energy can be used to power electric cars
36. Solar power does not produce any harmful emissions
37. Solar panels are easy to install and use.
38. In addition, solar panels can provide shade which reduces the temperature in a building’s environment.
39. There is no limitation due to government policies (at least in most places and region)
40. Solar panels are (becoming more) efficient
41. A single nuclear reactor would need an estimated 800 acres of land compared to the land a Solar grid requires.
There are other benefits of solar panels.
Another benefit is that solar can power homes, businesses, and industries. It provides electricity at a lower cost than any other energy source
Moreover, the installation of these systems in residential communities offers an opportunity to generate income by selling surplus generated electricity back to utility companies or even export it to larger regions.
The advantages of Solar Energy will continue to grow as we make advances in this field. Technology is helping solar energy become more efficient and cost-effective.
The future for solar power looks very bright. Solar panels can provide a cleaner, cheaper energy source without any pollution or harm to the environment.
Lesser Environmental Impact: The environmental impact on solar energy is less than that caused by coal or natural gas because there are no chemicals released into the atmosphere as a result of solar energy production.
Coal plants pollute the air with toxic chemicals like sulfur dioxide that cause acid rain which damages forests, lakes, rivers, and other natural habitats while emitting carbon dioxide that contributes to global warming.
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Disadvantages of Solar Energy
We have just highlighted the above 40 advantages of Solar energy against other types of energy resources. some great advantages we made mentioned include how it is a form of clean energy, a better source of energy than fossil fuels, and a lot’s more. But there’s no system without it’s downsides.
28 Disadvantages of Solar Energy ⚡
In this article, we seek to discuss some of the disadvantages so that you can make an informed decision on whether or not Solar Energy is for you.
1. Complex Technicalities: There are a number of complex technicalities that come with installing a solar system. The technology may seem simple, but the concept is as complex as it needs to be for this energy source.
2. Higher Electricity Costs: Solar panels, even those available for purchase in supermarkets these days, will cost you a lot to install and maintain; this means higher electricity costs for the life span of the panel. The initial cost of installing a solar panel system may be expensive and beyond what many people are willing to spend; however, if done correctly over time it should save you a lot of money.
3. Maintenance: The solar system will need to be maintained over time because it can get dirty and debris may accumulate on the panels, which could lead to less efficiency in collecting energy from the sun.
4. Inefficiency: As mentioned previously, all types of photovoltaic cells are not as efficient at converting sunlight into electricity.
5. Weather Dependent: The solar system is dependent on the sun and cannot collect energy during cloudy or rainy days; therefore, this might not be a viable option for everyone.
6. Limited Space: Solar systems are limited to where they can be installed because they require an open space with no obstructions (such as trees) in order to work efficiently.
7. Limited Resources: The sun’s energy will eventually run out and so the solar system must be large enough to collect a sufficient amount of sunlight before it is no longer available in order for you to use it during times when there are fewer hours of daylight, such as winter or rainy days.
8. Installation Time: Installing and setting up the solar panels can take weeks or months, depending on how much you are willing to spend; also, there is no guarantee it will work for as long as needed.
9. Rapid Change in Technology: Solar technology is rapidly changing and improving, meaning the panels will become obsolete over time.
10. No 24 Hour Production: The sun does not always shine on earth or at night time when we need it most, and even when the sun is shining there are times of day during which solar panels cannot produce power.
11. Limited Power Grid: Solar energy doesn’t work as well in areas with limited access to electricity grids due to a reduction in voltage caused by distance from the grid.
12. Inefficient Storage: If you’re not producing more energy than you’re using at any given time, then storing solar energy is inefficient.
13. Steep Learning Curve: Solar has a steep learning curve for the consumer.
14. Uneven Distributed Power: The sun’s rays hit earth at different angles and different times of the day. This changes throughout the year, meaning that sometimes a solar farm in one spot will produce more power than another at any given time.
15. Poor or Low-Quality Equipment: Solar panels carry a price tag. This means that if they are not of the best quality, then they may break down more often than others in poor conditions.
16. Lack Of Backup: Solar power storage is still expensive and drains batteries quickly. If you live far from an electrical grid or have no backup battery system, your solar energy will be gone as soon as the sun goes down.
17. Dust And Debris: Solar panels are sensitive to dust and debris, which can build upon them if they aren’t cleaned regularly. If too much builds up, it could cause a short circuit or other damage.
18. Height Restrictions: Some jurisdictions place height restrictions on solar farms that might limit how many panels can be installed.
19. Solar Panels Can’t Be Installed Everywhere: Even in regions where solar power might work, such as the southwest United States and southern Europe, it is often not feasible to install them on rooftops or other places that aren’t flat.
20. Limited Availability Of Technology: The technology behind solar energy still has a ways to go before it will be as efficient and cost-effective.
21. Solar Energy Isn’t Available At Night: You need sunlight in order for solar panels to work, which means they won’t generate any power when the sun goes down. This can cause problems if you live in an area that has long periods of darkness during the winter months.
22. Solar Panels Have A Lifetime: The more frequent the sunshine, the faster a solar panel will wear out. This means it won’t last as long in places that experience low levels of sunlight, like Seattle or New York City.
23. Government Policies: There are many policies from the government that affect how much solar energy is able to be generated in a certain area. This ranges anywhere from taxes and subsidies for installation to laws about where you’re allowed to put your panels or what type of electricity generation it can offset.
24. Energy Loss: When the sun isn’t shining on your solar panels they can produce less power than when it is. This happens because silicon cells don’t work as well in low light conditions.
25. Less Shade from Ozone: Solar panels work best when the sun is shining in direct sunlight. If there are clouds or shade cast by buildings, trees or other objects it can lower your panels’ efficiency as well as the production of electricity.
26. China’s Artificial Sun: China has created an artificial sun to provide a country-wide power network. We are yet to know how much of damage this can potentially cause to the human eye and the environment.
27. Effect on Planet: Solar Energy is not a reliable clean energy alternative to fossil fuels as it will have an effect on our planet in many ways that we are yet to understand.
28. Low-Efficiency Rate: The efficiency rate of solar panels ranges from 15% – 40%. This means if you use them for the electricity you will need to generate a lot of energy for it to be worth the cost.
