Advantages & Disadvantages of Solar Energy at Home

If you're considering installing solar power in your home then chances are you've spent some time mulling away on the advantages, disadvantages of solar energy. We're going to focus on some of the main benefits and logistical issues which might arise by having a solar array installed at home, to help determine whether the cost justifies the gain.

Disadvantages

Speaking of cost, that's one of the first disadvantages of solar energy...the initial outlay can be pretty huge. Now, this cost can be mitigated by taking the DIY solar power route, where the savings can be significant as you'll see below. But the fact is some of us are just handyman handicapped, and the only realistic option is professional installation. This can often run into the several or tens of thousands for a large system. Ultimately, the system will pay for itself, but that early outlay sure can hurt the hip pocket.

The second issue is the space usually required to install enough panels to meet your energy requirements. Most panels are capable of producing anywhere from 60 - 200 watts of power per hour, although the latter tend to have a much larger price tag than the former. This means we often need quite a few cells to make a significant impact on our monthly power bill. Fortunately, we all have roof tops, which is the easiest and most obvious place to install our array, and where they cells will receive the most sunlight.

Speaking of sunlight, that's the third main disadvantage of solar energy. Some geographical locations do not receive as much sunlight as others. It certainly pays to see how much direct sunlight your area receives when determining whether solar power is the right solution for you.

Advantages

The last disadvantage we looked at was the fact that solar arrays obviously need sun to produce power. The great thing is though that any solar array can be connected to a battery supply which means if your array produces excess energy this can be stored and used any time you need it.

Cost isn't just a disadvantage of solar energy, it's also one of the main advantages. Most solar arrays start paying for themselves after just years. Given that most have a life expectancy well beyond that, there's the potential to make significant savings in those later years if you're prepared to make the investment now.

Utilities are ever increasing in cost, and demand is on the rise. Independence from the grid is another huge benefit of home solar power. Keep in mind most governments offer rebates and tax benefits for installing solar power.

The most obvious benefit of course is doing our part for the environment. Besides parts, solar power significantly reduces our environmental footprint, and this has far reaching benefits not just for our generation, but for our next generation.

Hopefully these solar energy advantages disadvantages of have given you some food for thought and have helped you decide whether it's something you can benefit from. The reality is that the benefits so vastly outweigh the disadvantages of solar power that the only decision most people need to make is whether it's affordable.

The great thing is that with the emergence of solar power as a popular and viable energy source there is more information than ever on how to install solar power at home without spending a fortune.

Don't let cost stop you from enjoying the benefit of solar power.

Learn how to build a solar panel at home and save thousands on your solar power system.