Solar Power – 7 Significant Advantages and Disadvantages

Jay Song

4 minutes read

Table of Contents

7 Significant Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Power

There is a high demand for solar power among people who live out there in the world. If you are planning to harness solar power for any purpose, you will get interested to learn more about the advantage and disadvantages that come along with it. Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent advantages and disadvantages that solar power can deliver to people out there in the world. Based on these, you will be able to decide how you are going to use solar power.

Advantages of Solar Power

1. Solar power is a Renewable Energy Source

Energy sources available for the consumption of people can be classified into two main categories. The first category out of them is made out of renewable energy sources. Likewise, the second category contains non-renewable energy sources. Non-renewable energy sources are finite. A perfect example of such an energy source is a fossil fuel. We will be able to use a nonrenewable energy source until it runs out. After that, we will not be able to rely on the energy source. This will not be a major concern when you go ahead with renewable energy sources. That’s because you will be able to have it as much as you can. In other words, there is no possibility to run out of solar energy.

We will be able to have solar power as long as the sun is there. According to scientists, the sun will be there for more than 5 billion years. Therefore, we don’t need to worry about anything.

2. You Can Reduce Your Electricity Bills with Solar Power

If you are looking for a convenient method to reduce your electricity bills, you should be taking a look at solar power. That’s because you don’t have to pay for solar energy. It is true that you will have to spend your money to build the setup, which you are going to harness solar energy. However, you don’t have to technically pay to the sun for the energy that it gives out. Hence, you will be able to produce electricity for free.

You will not just be able to use solar power and save money on energy bills. It is also possible for you to earn money through the process of generating energy with solar power. If you generate excess electricity, you will be able to export it to the grid. Hence, you will end up making some money as well.

3. Solar Power is Associated with Numerous Applications

If you can deep dive and take a look at solar power, you will figure out that it is associated with numerous diverse applications. For example, it is possible for you to generate electricity out of solar power. On the other hand, you will be able to use solar power for the generation of heat.

Some of the areas cannot be practically connected to the national grid to cater to the energy requirements. In such situations, solar power is offering much-needed assistance. This will also help people who are living in rural areas to have access to clean water supplies. On the other hand, solar energy is powering up the satellites that are orbited in space as well. No other form of energy is associated with such a diverse range of applications as compared to solar energy.

4. Solar Power is Associated with Low Maintenance Expenses

Maintenance expenses associated with solar energy generation is relatively low. For example, after the installation of a solar energy system, you will not have to pay a lot of attention to the maintenance of it. You just need to keep them indecently a clean condition. Hence, cleaning solar energy generation systems a few times a year will be more than enough.

The solar panels that people use for generating energy are highly durable. These panels are usually backed up with a manufacturer warranty for around 20 to 25 years. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about anything at all about the investment that you make.

Disadvantages of Solar Energy

1. High Initial Cost

The initial cost of getting a solar energy generation system is not affordable at all. Even though most people are aware of the benefits that come along with solar energy generation, we often see situations where people refraining from getting solar energy generation systems. That’s because they are not in a position to bear the high upfront investment and get a system. However, we can expect things to change in the future. That’s because the cost associated with solar energy technologies is going down along with time. Therefore, people in the future will be able to afford them with ease.

2. Solar Energy is Weather Dependent

Another drawback associated with solar power is that it is highly weather dependent. It is true that you will still be able to go ahead with collecting solar energy during the rainy days and cloudy days. However, the overall efficiency of energy generation will drop in these days. It is important for the solar panels to have lots of sunlight to gather solar energy in an effective manner. Even if there are few clouds, you will notice how the efficiency of the system goes down significantly. This is something that you should be mindful of. On the other hand, it will not be possible for the solar panels to proceed with solar energy generation throughout the night time.

3. Solar Panels Require a Lot of Space

To accommodate solar energy generation panels, you will have to allocate a lot of space as well. This will be another drawback linked with solar energy generation. Some of the homeowners might notice that their roofs are not large enough to accommodate the solar panels needed.