what are the disadvantages to using solar energy

12 Advantages & 8 Disadvantages Of Solar Panels

Well, it'due south safe to say that solar panels have blown up over the past few decades. They have become soooo pop with homeowners, businesses and now even the governments are recognising their value.

But we're all asking the same question … Why?

What'due south so good nigh solar panels?
Why are they and then popular?
Should I be getting solar panels? Or is this only one big hype?
Are they actually worth the money?

Well, the curt respond is yes. They are worth it, and I'chiliad going to explain to you exactly why.

However, we cannot forget the law of balance. For every advantage there is probably a disadvantage. With this example, information technology's true. You may non think it, but solar panels practice come with their fair share of disadvantages.

So permit's jump straight in, and observe out the advantages and disadvantages (pros and cons) of solar panels.

• lukecove
• December vi, 2021

Table Of Contents

What Are Solar Panels Used For?

Government and big business corporations are also ane of the biggest users of solar panels to generate clean, renewable energy. Businesses will utilise solar panels to slash the cost of their functioning bills and free up greenbacks period to re-invest in their business.

Governments around the world are taking a large pace with solar energy and it is existence used to ability trains, buses and even the international infinite station.

For homeowners, the demand to have solar panels has get increasingly more than popular over the years. This is because solar panels tin be used to generate electricity at home.

People are catching on well-nigh the countless benefits of rooftop solar. It's heady to come across how popular information technology has become over the years.

This electricity can then be used to power your electrical appliances in your habitation. Solar can ability annihilation electrical, from your Television receiver or fridge to your iphone or game console.

Essentially homeowners can get less dependent on the grid. At the same fourth dimension yous can save a pregnant corporeality of money on power bills each month.

Power tin can be stored in solar batteries...

Any power that is generated by solar panels tin can too be stored using solar batteries.

These can piece of work for both homeowners and businesses and can be scaled upwards. Storing power can allow complete independence from the grid, meaning you solely create and use your own ability.

S olar batteries are likewise becoming more than affordable, as well equally more than popular for people or businesses who utilize about of their power at night. Also more and more solar bombardment rebates are becoming available besides.

Why Are Solar Panels So Popular?

Over the past 20 years solar panels have go extremely popular with homeowners, business organization and the agricultural industry.

There are many different reasons why people are interested in solar just nosotros accept narrowed them downward to 3 main reasons.

Coin

Firstly, the most common reason why solar is popular is because of money.

Solar panels can provide homeowners with a massive saving toward their free energy bill (if non completely reduce it birthday).

When people catch current of air of their neighbors slashing their energy bill in half, they simply desire a slice of the pie. By having a reduced energy pecker it means that you will costless upward your greenbacks flow each month to spend on stuff that you lot similar or your family.

The finance side of solar is the main reason why it has become so popular in today's age.

Environs

The second most popular reason is because of the environment.

Solar panels are being installed to assist take a opinion against climate alter. People are willing to invest their money into something that will not pollute the planet we alive on. Installing solar panels volition help by generating clean energy that can likewise exist sold.

This is much amend than burning fossil fuels and oils which has a negative consequence on the planet. We are realising the sustainability of solar panels which is making them more pop.

Government Incentives

Thirdly, solar panels are getting a proper noun for themselves through authorities incentives.

It is pretty hard to resist when the government is offer to buy back any excess solar energy you produce…

Plus lets not forget the massive reduction in the upfront cost, an interest free loan to assistance reduce the cost fifty-fifty more and then a STC certificate that can exist sold for money!

Even with commercial solar for businesses there are rebates and grants existence offered every bit incentives to aid with the move to solar.

What Makes Solar Panels Worth It?

• • In places like Australia & America the sun is shining more frequently than not. This ways we can capitalise on harvesting the sun'southward rays to generate our ain power. Having this endless supply of UV light definitely makes getting solar panels worth it.

• • Government loans and rebates help with the upfront toll, and make solar extremely affordable for homeowners on any income.

• • Latest engineering science in solar console efficiency means that solar panels are designed to get the near out of the sun. This means you lot can really take reward of producing your own energy knowing that you are getting the best performance. Information technology also makes solar more affordable because y'all can produce more than energy for a longer period of fourth dimension. Brands similar SolarEdge are leading in technology of solar panels.

sixteen Advantages Of Solar Panels

one. Reduce the price of your energy pecker

The most widely known advantage of solar panels is that they will reduce the cost of your electricity bills.

By producing your own power through the sun yous will ultimately be ownership less ability from the filigree. This allows you to spend less coin ownership energy which leads to saving more money on your power bills.

Due to the sun's free energy beingness renewable and free information technology ways that yous volition non be paying for the energy you generate through your solar panels.

In that location are endless benefits that come from having spare greenbacks each month to spend on your family unit or other things. Saving money is i of the biggest advantages of solar.

2. Renewable energy source

Solar power is a renewable source of energy. Renewable energy is a source of power that cannot exist used upward.

Essentially the dominicus is generating a mass amount of ability all the time that tin be harvested past your solar panels without running out.

The plus side of solar being renewable ways that everyone tin can take advantage of free energy given by the sunday.

We wouldn't accept to worry about the sun'south power running out, simply instead we can enjoy the rays that hit our solar panels and generate free, make clean energy.

Being a renewable source solar power is besides clean energy meaning the energy doesn't produce any greenhouse gasses emissions.

3. Increase your property value

Because solar panels have so many benefits for homeowners, installing them on your property will increase its value.

Houses that accept solar panels will be more valuable than those that practise not.

This is considering one dwelling will exist highly dependent on the grid whereas the other will be generating its own energy. Enjoying being costless from the shackles of increasing energy prices.

Once again this is because solar panels exercise have a loftier upfront cost and can be seen as a neat investment asset.

The money that yous spend on solar panels will be invested into your home as well, you may even see a loftier return on investment from installing solar at your property.

iv. Environmentally friendly

Free energy that is produced by solar panels is clean, renewable and has nothing-emissions. Solar energy does not contribute towards greenhouse gasses or fossil fuels unlike other oils and dress-down.

Essentially this ways that solar panels are environmentally friendly products and will not impairment the planet.

Being environmentally friendly ways a lot nowadays, and you can gain popularity within communities for taking a opinion against climate change.

Information technology is one of the most popular reasons why people take a movement towards solar, and is definitely one of the biggest advantages of solar panels.

Homeowners tin can residue easy knowing their energy is not harming the planet.

5. Broad range of solar products

Another massive reward of solar panels is the huge range of unlike solar panel products bachelor.

There are solar panels that are built for performance for those people who are looking for a high-cease organization to perform for a long time.

For homeowners who are looking for a proficient budget system then in that location is a massive range to be browsed from too.

Thermal solar panels are also bachelor for people who spend most of their free energy on heating and want to utilise solar to help lower the cost.

Solar panels can be purchased with an all-in-1 battery organization for homeowners who demand to store their power to utilize at night instead.

Having this wide variety of options comes as a massive advantage for homeowners as they can become solar panels specific to their requirements and needs.

half dozen. Low maintenance costs

With new technology being readily bachelor, the maintenance of solar panels are becoming easier and easier.

Warranties are also being included for massive periods of fourth dimension making the maintenance of solar panels less and less.

This is great because information technology means homeowners can purchase solar without having to gear up or check the arrangement every week. Also, low maintenance ways low cost.

You won't need to spend anything actress on your solar panels system to proceed it working at optimum.

In one case in a while information technology'southward recommended to get your solar panels cleaned if they take collected whatsoever soil or dust.

7. Homeowners can get energy independent

The installation of solar panels to your home could allow y'all to become completely energy independent.

With a adept plenty system, you lot could generate enough energy to power your dwelling house without having to buy power from the grid.

Not only is this a not bad achievement, simply it besides means homeowners won't accept to face rise electricity prices over again.

Generating your own power will be save you lot a large amount of money. Y'all also would non be affected if there was a power cut or any maintenance by the grid on their power lines.

Many people who take become energy independent tin say that it's a massive advantage of solar panels.

eight. Excess solar can be sold to the filigree

Any backlog energy that is not used in your home can be sold to the grid for actress cash.

Non just this, you are providing your local community with clean, renewable energy. This helps you lot and your community have cleaner free energy supplied to your grid by pulling free energy from the sun.

Some homeowners volition purposely upgrade their systems merely to sell backlog energy back to the grid.

The regime offers some actually good Feed-In Tariffs bachelor for homeowners to get rewarded for any excess power they don't use.

These tariffs normally vary from country to state. The two main tariffs are fixed rate and time varying. The price per KW is decided past these ii tariffs, and is a great manner to help pay off your system quicker.

One time the arrangement is paid off y'all will come across the return on investment from your solar panels. Solar panels could actually generate you free money, which is a massive advantage.

ix. Return on investment

Solar panels are a really practiced investment to make, and homeowners will be able to get the coin they invested back within time.

Although solar panels have a high upfront investment cost, the money that gets saved each calendar month on power bills will help toward paying off that toll of the organisation.

An easy way to expect at it would be: If you saved a large sum of money on your free energy bill, then you can put that money towards covering the toll of your system.

Once the solar arrangement is paid off you will nonetheless be saving money on your free energy bills. Therefore, you are at present making a render from the initial investment fabricated on your solar panels.

10. Get rewarded by the government

Government rebates are a great reward of solar panels.

Being able to sell your free energy back to the regime for cash is enticing for homeowners to brand the move to solar. With pressures on governments to motility towards greener solutions, all futurity rewards are looking bright.

Rates may first to become more than profitable and rebates becoming easier to go. However, this may non last forever.

Although these rebates differ from state to state they all offer a large reduction in the cost and most will as well offer a no interest loan scheme.

These government incentives actually brand solar energy more than affordable. This is a step in the right direction and helps first time buyers secure solar.

11. Power can be stored and used at dark

Some all-in-one systems come with solar batteries included similar E nphase (I've actually done a full review on this hither) . These solar systems let you shop ability you generate during the day and use it at dark instead.

This would benefit homeowners that use a majority of power at nighttime. Similar to commercial businesses like supermarkets or schools.

When you shop power you go contained from the grid. Rather than buy energy, you lot can use the energy that has been stored.

This could provide even further savings for homeowners. Information technology's best invested with high end solar panels to see the full benefits of solar battery storage.

High end solar panels tend to have a higher performance and generate more than energy, significant you lot can shop more ability quicker.

12. Solar panels have Long lasting warranties

Companies that design, examination and manufacturer and solar panels include long lasting warranties with their products.

This shows that they accept a lot of confidence in the performance of solar panels and that they are guaranteed to accomplish a minimum functioning for a period of time.

Long lasting warranties are a big do good of solar panels because they show that they won't interruption or stop performance within the showtime 10+ years installing them. Companies like Jinko, LG and SunPower offering great warranties.

Homeowners can feel similar moving to solar is less risky, because they are covered past the solar panels warranties.

It also means they can piece of work out their estimated saving given that there are no issues with the solar panels.

13. Solar console applied science is becoming more advanced

I've seen this a lot over the past 5 years. Solar panel technology is taking huge leaps in advancements to allow for some really awesome features. I'd say near important in item is the availability for flexible solar organization designs .

The reason why I like this and then much is because you tin can design a system around your energy neb. Depending on when you use the most free energy, you can place panels to capture the most sunlight during that time, maximising on your self consumption and giving you the highest possible savings.

Other features include full visibility and tracking of your system so you lot know information technology's performance and SMART features which tin can learn when you use the near energy and start to export this to the grid or other places similar a battery or electric auto.

xiv. Cost of solar panels are becoming more than affordable year afterward year

Solar panels are condign more and more affordable every twelvemonth. There is a race towards making solar panels affordable whilst also maintaining the quality of the solar panels.

As you can meet by the graph created past Solar Choice, the cost of panels is decreasing every single year.

This is splendid to run into and gives a glimpse into the future cost of solar panels which is forecast to keep coming more and more affordable.

However, there was an increase in panel costs due to a shipping crisis in 2021, mainly due to the effects of COVID19. You tin can read about this issue here .

15. Options to charge your electric vehicle from your solar console system

This is going to become a massive benefit of solar panels inside the side by side 6 months. At the end of 2021 we've seen a huge fasten in the demand for home EV charging systems which tin connect and charge from your solar panels.

Impressively enough, you lot can get this set which will maximise your returns from your solar organisation and your electric car.

You will be getting a full accuse of free energy from the sun. There are likewise some really good solar EV chargers on the market in Commonwealth of australia, including the Zappi dwelling house charger .

This offers smart features which can begin charging only when you kickoff to export energy to the grid or waste it on export limits.

16. Solar energy was appear the cheapest form of electricity in history

Wooo! Go solar. That's right, solar free energy was declared the cheapest form of electricity in history. There has never been a cheaper way to produce loftier quality, green energy. This was constitute by the International Energy Bureau back in Oct 2020.

It was highlighted that solar energy is significantly cheaper than coal and gas. Information technology's prophylactic to say, solar panels have a very bright time to come ahead existence the cheapest grade of energy in the earth correct now.

Don't miss out on the rush, become a part of the customs and take advantage of the cheapest course of electricity. That means it'south cheaper than your free energy supplier 😆…

10 Disadvatanges Of Solar Panels

1. Loftier upfront cost

The outset initial investment for solar panel installation is quite high, and non everybody will exist able to beget them. Although we could fence that solar panels are the almost affordable they've ever been… Still they do come with a price tag.

Unfortunately this is a downside to solar panels notwithstanding the hereafter is vivid equally prices are coming down.

Solar panels correct at present are fairly expensive, withal with new authorities schemes and the latest applied science the toll is condign more than and more affordable.

ii. The size of organization is dependent on your available space

Available space is a big cistron in solar panel installation. If your roof is not large plenty, then it means that you may have to downsize your system or rethink near getting solar altogether.

Solar panels are still fairly large products significant they require a big space to be installed. The size disadvantage means that they cannot exist placed into pocket-sized areas, and actually crave a large roof.

This is important for those who are looking to hereafter proof their dwelling house with a big enough system to last years.

Some systems however do provide flexible designs for smaller roofs.

3. Requires sunny weather to work best

Free energy can only be generated when sunlight is hitting the face of the panel and existence converted. Therefore if there is no dominicus, there will exist no energy beingness produced.

Although solar panels tin can still generate power on cloudy days (as information technology'due south the UV light that generates the energy) they perform best on sunny days. If you are in a location that doesn't get much dominicus, it'south probably best to look at other options for get a system that overcomes shading issues.

Your solar console performance will be negatively affected if there is not enough sunlight hitting the panels on rainy days.

But remember, luckily in Australia we become a lot of sun so it makes it worthwhile for us, even for those in Melbourne.

iv. Manufacturing of solar panels can harm the environment

Although solar panels produce clean, renewable energy, the process it takes to manufacture them can damage the environment. Mass production of solar panels may upshot in fossil fuels being burned and plastic waste.

Unfortunately, this is one of the overlooked disadvantages of solar panels. They are not eco-friendly to mass manufacture. Then again, you can ask what is these days? This is quite a shame because solar panels correspond a big movement to fight the climate crunch.

This does go a disadvantage for solar panels although they themselves produce dark-green, renewable energy. Overall, I'd say that they yet do more than good than they do bad.

5. Depression energy conversion rate

Fifty-fifty the most advanced solar panels still only convert around 20-25% of the dominicus's energy into power. It goes to prove how much opportunity at that place is to develop better technology to optimise the full force of the dominicus.

However, there are many things that demand to be considered like the direction of the panels and location.

Jinko solar panels take claimed the globe record a few times. And so have Canadian solar panels. You can read my full guide on the nearly efficient panels of 2021 hither.

Although, I also want to stress that solar panel efficiency shouldn't be the most important thing. Peculiarly when you're talking about 1-ii% difference. Really, I'd exist more concerned nearly the installation or warranties.

6. Cannot exist used at dark

No energy can be produced by your solar panels at nighttime which essentially means your solar panels tin only generate energy 12 hours of a full day. Without any sunlight hit the solar panels then there volition be no free energy produced.

This is a disadvantage of solar panels but may be something that is overcome in the time to come with new technology. There are already talks well-nigh an 'anti solar panel' that is able to produce power at night.

7. Solar panels are stock-still at their installed location

Panels that are installed on your roof are pretty much installed there for practiced.

Unless you are looking to pay extra to have your system dismantled, de-wired and transported to some other location then solar panels are stuck in one position.

Solar systems are not mobile at all, which means if yous purchase solar merely decide to sell you will take to leave your system backside.

9. Disposal of old solar panels can be harmful to the environment

Unfortunately, when we dispose of old solar panels it requires them to be melted down which can produce some harmful chemicals in the procedure.

Non only this, but information technology can be harmful to the local area that this occurs in. Mostly you will encounter solar panels back at landfill sites which is amend than burning.

Ane good thing is that usually solar panels will concluding around 15-25 years so there isn't an affluence of sometime panels causing issues.

10. Your energy could exist getting wasted on consign limits

One frustrating thing in Australia is that some locations will get slapped with a solar export limit. Usually this is around 5kW however in busy areas y'all might even get hitting with a 0kW export limit significant whatsoever of your excess energy is completely wasted.

The reason behind this is because if information technology'southward a really sunny twenty-four hours and anybody who has solar begins to export, in that location will be also much free energy and the lines might break. I've written a full summary on export limits y'all tin can read here .

It all depends on how many people in your area already have solar. However, one piece of cake style around this is to purchase a solar battery and store your energy or invest in a EV car and solar charger.

Other Factors To Take Into Consideration

Nosotros are using more energy than 10 years agone

Something non many people consider when buying solar panels. I've had heaps of old customers rip off their installation from x years ago and replace it with a much bigger and amend system. Just considering, they are at present using double (if not triple) the amount of free energy compared to ten years ago.

Think about it, ten years ago we barely had smartphones. Present, nosotros take a smartphone for every user in the house, plus kitchen appliances similar air fryers, toasters. Microwaves.

Don't forget about the laptops, tablets, headphones all consuming free energy to charge at the same time. This is a lot more than energy than 10 years agone…

And of course call up well-nigh the style the future is moving. We are heading into the digital age so it'south best to future proof your habitation and buy a system that will still be big enough in 10 years.

Solar is becoming increasingly more popular and common

Incentives and rebates provided by the government may not really last forever. This is some other good reason to take advantage of these rebates and incentives right at present.

Due to the price of solar panels becoming more affordable, there may come up a time in the future where the government reduces the rebates and incentives that they offer.

It's best to leap on the wagon now to take advantage before they're gone!

The future of solar panels and solar free energy is very bright

The time to come of solar is actually vivid, information technology'south being used in all aspects of the globe. NASA is using it for space exploration or solar farms to produce mass energy.

Commonwealth of australia is using solar for ship, solar farms and at present homeowners are taking advantage to slash their energy bills.

Information technology was really annouced in 2020 by the International Energy Agency that solar power is the cheapest course of electricity.

Determination

Then at that place you have it. 16 pros of solar panels and x cons.

Personally, I would notwithstanding say there are more than advantages for solar panels than disadvantages.

However is proverb this, information technology makes you realise that maybe they are not every bit amazing equally everyone says.

Although, I do admit I own a solar console system and its the best investment I've ever made. I would cull solar panels over no solar panels any day!

Let me know your thoughts in the comments. If you lot can recollect of whatever more pros and cons, please share them with the remainder of u.s.a.! 😁

Share With Your Friends!

Written By:

Luke Cove
Managing Manager
Lightning Solar & Electrical

riveraafre1977.blogspot.com

Source: https://lightningsolar.com.au/comparative-guide-advantages-disadvantages-of-solar-panels/