Industrial and Manufacturing

The Advantages and Limitations of Solar Power

Article Submitted by Top Solar Energy Companies

Is it a good idea to install a solar panel for your home?

The answer to that question varies depending on certain factors but in comparison to the other energy sources available, the advantages and limitations that come with solar power seems to be more positive than otherwise.

Take the recent disasters involved with coal, nuclear power and oil into consideration such as the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, the Massey coal mine explosion and the nuclear crisis in Japan.

Yet there’s no doubt that there costs and benefits involved with every type of energy source, and so here is a list of advantages and limitations associated with solar power:

Advantages

Right off the bat, solar power reduces costs in terms of electricity bills, thanks to the independence it provides from grid power.

Secondly, other than emissions taking place in the production of solar panels, the use of solar panels provides emissions-free electricity hence forth. It’s safe and clean compared to all other forms of energy sources.

Lastly, solar energy can be considered to be reliable enough as a source of power. In fact, some solar panel manufacturers offer power production guarantees that if not met, will be compensated for with money for the difference.

Limitations

Solar power isn’t for everyone. Sometimes the design of one’s home is just not suited to solar power especially when it comes to the roof. If the need for unobstructed southern exposure isn’t met, it’s just not going to work.

Solar power isn’t generated at night and even though there are ways to compensate for this period of inactivity, it still remains a drawback.

Solar power is expensive if electricity is cheap in your area or there aren’t any incentives in the form of rebates or credits offered by the government. In fact, making a large down payment for solar panels is difficult if program for easy payments are not available either.