Studies have proven that the energy generated by the sun in one hour can provide the entire earth with power for a whole year. This statistic is shocking when you put it into perspective. Manmade powerplants have been trying to keep up with the increasing demand of electricity all over the world. That is why many people are now turning to the better and eco-friendlier option – solar energy.
Although many has called solar panel energy generation the world’s best solution, it has also been criticized for some of its disadvantages. Given the fact that more families are now using it as their primary source of energy, technicians from all over the world has worked together to drastically improve the entire design.
Not only to ensure it is more efficient, but also to try and make it much more durable for a longer lifetime. Watch this video to learn more about how solar panels actually work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKxrkht7CpY.
If you are considering moving on to a solar energy source, then it’s worth knowing the pros and cons.
PROS OF SOLAR PANELS
Here is a list of the advantages of installing solar energy for your property.
It’s a Renewable Energy Source
Unlike power plants that generates energy that is used and lost, solar energy isn’t something that we can run out of. As long as the sun is shining, the world will have a supply of power.
Scientists have proven that the sun will only vanish within 5 billion years, considering that it’s a star and that all stars eventually burn out. This gives human kind a lot of time to use the sun for its renewable and unlimited supply of power.
Future Developments
Since solar energy generation is still in its early stages, there are predictions of further developments by physicians and technicians. When you invest in such a system you will have the benefit of reaping fruits of more improvements in the future.
Benefits might include tripling the energy output compared to other power plants.
Long-term Money Saver
Even though a solar panel system can be costly initially, it will save you a lot of money in the future. Since you don’t have to purchase power from electrical companies anymore, your energy bills won’t be as high anymore.
Companies who have a high demand for energy can generate a ton of solar power by installing large panel systems. Allowing for the free use of power.
Solar panel owners also have the option to export back into the power grid, this system is called the SEG (Smart Export Guarantee). When your system generates more power than your property can use, you can export it into the grid allowing neighbors the opportunity to use it.
Not only will you be saving on your electrical bill, but you might also even receive a small payment from the SEG.
Very Low Maintenance
An excellent advantage of these systems is that they are extremely low maintenance. You can either perform maintenance like cleaning and checking wires yourself or hire professionals for assistance. These services are not very expensive and is worth the small investment.
Most panels, like the Green Spark solar in Gold Coast have a 20-25-year limited warranty and needs only to be cleaned once or twice each year. Since the panel is placed on the roof of the property or an open field it is kept stationary throughout its life. This means that there are not really any wear and tear over the years.
The only part of the system that moves and that can break is the inverter. This inverter will need to be replaced at least once every 5-10 years.
CONS OF SOLAR PANELS
Let’s take a closer look at some of the disadvantages of installing a solar panel system.
Initial Cost
At the moment, investing in a solar panel system is quite expensive. Potential customers should be ready to purchase not only the panels, but also the inverter, wiring, batteries, and labor costs.
Many property owners don’t mind this initial high costs. When they do the math, they will save a lot more in the long run using a system like this than relying on the grid.
Space
Especially for commercial properties who want to generate a lot of power, they should invest in a large number of panels. These panels are heavy and big and take up a lot of space. If companies don’t have adequate space on their property’s roof, then they should either have an open field available or an extra space where the panels can be aligned.
This isn’t a problem for smaller residential properties though, since enough energy can be generated by the number of panels that are placed on the roof of the home.
Storage Batteries are Expensive
Many people are unaware that energy generated by these systems should be stored somewhere off the grid. They are usually stored in batteries of all sizes. This means that power generated during the day will be stored in the battery to make energy accessible during the night.
These batteries, especially those who have a large storage capacity, are very expensive. This is why people prefer using solar energy during the day and grid energy at night.
Dependent on the Sun
Even though the sun has unlimited amounts of sunshine for us to utilize, it has to shine in order for us to be able to use it. Panels will be less efficient at times when it’s cloudy or rainy. Especially when it’s rainy and cloudy for a few days on end, it will drastically affect the amount of power generated.
For this reason, solar panel solutions are best for countries that have very bright and sunny days – making the Gold Coast the perfect recipient. For more advantages and disadvantages you might not know about, check this out.
Despite the few disadvantages, the advantages of solar panel energy truly outweigh the negative. Making the transition to a renewable energy source will safe you a lot of money in the future.
