Last updated May 25, 2023
Solar energy has become increasingly popular that every week you have been hearing or reading something that is related to it.
The popularity of solar energy technologies has grown drastically despite its many challenges.
Its timing could not be better because of the burgeoning carbon emission problem due to burning fossil fuels.
Some people are curious about all the fuss. There has also been a noticeable change in the price of solar panels and other methods on how to avail it. Let us explore the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy today.
Advantages of Solar Energy
There are many benefits that we can get from solar energy, here are some of them:
#1 Lower your electricity bill
This is straightforward. With the increasing electricity bill, the top reason why you install solar panels is for you to generate your own electricity for your home and reduce your headache, aka electricity bill.
A well-installed solar system can last up to 25 to 30 years, which translates to a few decades of a lower electricity bill.
The good news is the price of solar is also dropping across the world, so that means more and more households are going to get this advantage.
Get free solar quotes from SolarQuotes where you can find many options for your own solar system.
#2 Improve the value of your home
Millions of homeowners interested in solar energy but don’t have any idea how to install them.
Combined with the undeniable benefits you can get from this, it is no brainer that your home will have increased value when you have them.
Even if you have made an investment on your solar panel system, you can recoup your investment and earn some when you sell your home.
#3 Earn back your investment
In some countries, you can actually get incentives when you sell some of your electricity generated to the power grid.
You will have a profitable investment that will pay off the cost of the system in the future.
There are programs like solar renewable energy credit and net metering that will let you earn bill credits when your system produces electricity. You can inquire about these incentives with your service provider.
#4 Gives control over increasing energy costs
With the rising electricity bills, homeowners are helpless over the increasing electricity rate.
The cost of solar systems significantly has decreased over the years while the cost of electricity is increasing exponentially.
By opting to use solar energy, you can take control of your energy generation.
With the trend of adoption of renewable energy and reduction on the emission of the greenhouse gases now is the better time to go solar. Consult with Heliomotion for many solar panel models for your home.
#5 Reduces your carbon footprint
We saved the best for last.
The most admirable benefit that you can get from solar energy system is the fact that it benefits our environment and helps the world transition from fossil fuels.
Solar energy is a popular source of electricity and the most cost-effective way to reduce carbon output in this time of drastic climate change.
Disadvantages of Solar Energy
It is a fact that solar is imperfect and you should keep these disadvantages in mind if you are thinking about going solar.
#1 Doesn’t work with every type of roof
Most solar panels are installed in rooftops using a mounting system (also called racking).
In older or historical homes like cedar tiles or slate are difficult for installers to cope with and is a hence a roadblock for solar power.
Homes in apartment buildings have rooftop additions like deck or skylights where the installation process is costly if not difficult.
However, Sunrun can have other options like ground-mounted solar panels or a community can have a shared solar garden to go around this advantage.
#2 Not ideal if you are moving out
Of course, the solar system is a big financial investment.
If you have solar panels installed the average payback is about seven and a half years.
For a young homeowner who will have to move in the future, they might feel like this is an unwise investment.
However, if you are selling your home, you will find out that solar panels actually improve your property’s value.
#3 Lower savings if electricity cost is low
The goal of solar energy is to lower the cost of your utility-provided electricity and get your monthly savings.
This benefit is on the assumption that the cost of electricity is huge in the first place.
For locations where the costs are lower, then your savings will also be high and installing solar panels may not be enticing.
#4 Upfront cost is intimidating
If you cannot find reliable solar financing, it will be difficult for homeowners to have them installed in their homes.
This is clearly a disadvantage. You can check your local government for details about state-funded loans or power purchase agreements with solar companies like Sunrun.
#5 Difficulty in finding a reliable seller and installers
Homeowners are regularly encountering pushy solar sales representatives who are force selling them a contract without even explaining the full scope of the contract and checking the credibility of the company.
This is happening because solar energy is a fast-growing market and plenty of companies want to get their share.
As a result, many homeowners find shopping for solar panels confusing and stressful. In Our Solar Energy, they have customers in mind and make it easy for them to shop for one.
Conclusion
Solar energy is quite a fascinating topic and the fact that there is a discussion between its pros and cons means that many homeowners are interested in this alternative energy resource.
There are many benefits that solar energy can give the homeowners and it outweighs the disadvantages.
It is encouraging for those who have not made up their mind yet to look into solar energy as an alternative means of generating electricity without harming the environment.