The benefits of having a solar panel system installed in your home are becoming increasingly obvious to homeowners, especially at a time of escalating energy prices and a need to reduce household carbon emissions.
It is difficult for many people to decide whether or not it would be beneficial to install solar panels because there is such a vast amount of information out there. When faced with a decision about whether to choose solar, it is in your best interests to educate yourself about solar power’s pros and cons to enable you to make an informed choice.
Solar Energy Overview
The sun is a significant contributor to our overall energy supply. Many experts believe that, if properly harnessed, the solar power that the sun provides is more than sufficient to fulfil all of our annual requirements for energy. Installing solar panels or a complete solar system is one of the most effective ways to collect some of the sun’s rays and convert them into usable energy.
After being absorbed by solar panels, solar energy is converted into a usable form to produce the required amount of power. Solar cells, which are part of photovoltaic (PV) panels, are responsible for collecting energy from the sun which is then converted to usable electricity by an inverter. Solar cells can only generate power when exposed to daylight, though it does not have to be direct sunlight, or even a particularly sunny day, in order to be generating electricity.
Advantages and Disadvantages Of A Solar Power System
When considering whether to get solar panels installed, it is essential for you to understand the pros and cons of using solar energy:
Solar Energy Advantages
Reduced Electricity Bills
Because you will not be paying for the electricity that you use that is generated by your solar system, your regular electricity bills will go down. In addition to this, there is a possibility that you can receive payments for any excess energy produced that is sent back to the grid as part of a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) arrangement.
Insurance Against rising costs
The cost of electricity has rocketed over the course of the past decade. Investing in solar panels is one way to protect yourself against rising electricity prices. Producing your own energy means that you do not have to purchase as much power from a utility company. One of the most notable benefits of solar energy is that it provides protection against the rising cost of electricity.
Return on Investment
Solar power, in addition to lowering your monthly electric bill, can also be an excellent source of additional income. Due to the fact that net metering is involved, you have the opportunity to make money by selling the excess power produced by solar panels. Together, the money you save on power bills and the other incentives, as well as the money you get from the SEG scheme, will allow you to recoup the cost of the system in just a few years.
Renewable Energy
Solar energy is clean, renewable energy source. It can be accessed on a daily basis and is exploitable in a variety of locations across the globe. Solar energy, in contrast to other forms of energy, will never become depleted. Solar energy will always be available to us as long as the sun is shining in the sky.
Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly
When it comes to selecting the type of energy source that will be installed in your home, the surrounding natural environment is a significant factor that should be taken into consideration.
Solar panels have a negligible impact on the environment and human health. The energy that they generate does not result in the emission of harmful greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. They have the additional effect of lowering the greenhouse effect.
Energy Independence
If you install solar panels, you have the opportunity to generate your own supply of energy, giving you some degree of energy autonomy. There is no requirement for you to be dependent on or reliant on the conventional electrical grid. You will be in complete command of the source of your electricity, and this will even protect you in the event of power cuts or blackouts.
Disadvantages of Installing A PV Solar System
High Initial Cost
One of the drawbacks of installing a solar PV system is that it comes with a high initial cost, both purchasing and installing the necessary equipment. This entails the wiring, batteries, inverter, and solar panel components respectively.
The price of solar energy systems differs from location to location due to factors such as the availability of tax credits and other financial incentives. On the bright side, some businesses, like Solar Panel Savers, are able to introduce you to financing options for solar energy systems or even some of the grants that may be available to you.
Intermittent Energy Source
Another one of solar energy’s many drawbacks is that it is an intermittent source of power. Rather unsurprisingly, the sun does not appear in the sky during the night, and therefore, solar panels are unable to produce any electricity outside of daylight hours.
The strength of the sun’s rays can also differ significantly depending on where you are, what time of day it is, and even during the seasons. Snow cover, cloud cover, and the amount of foliage cover are all factors that can affect the amount of energy produced.
One partial solution to this problem is to make full use of solar energy storage in the form of a battery used in conjunction with your solar panels. When customers request it, our solar panel systems come with battery storage already installed. This is particularly recommended for places like Scotland where the sun isn’t always overly keen to put in an appearance!
Solar requires A Lot of Space
If you want to increase the amount of electricity that you produce, you will need to increase the number of solar panels that are exposed to the sun. If you are limited in space, this may not be possible, meaning you will have a cap on how much electricity you are able to produce with your solar set-up, and could prove to be insufficient for your household needs.
Initial Pollution
Even though the environmental impacts of solar power systems are much lower in comparison to those of other types of energy sources, there is still some pollution that should be taken into consideration.
Producing solar power systems, along with their transportation and installation, still results in the emission of greenhouse gases. During the manufacturing process of a solar photovoltaic system, it is possible that the workers will come into contact with potentially harmful components, materials, and products.
Obviously, the pollution and emissions that will be saved after they have been installed in order to generate your energy will far outweigh the pollution that they will cause initially.
Solar is Not Ideal If You Plan on Moving House
In most cases, you will be unable to take the solar power system with you if you decide to move in the near future. Even if it were possible, it is a costly endeavour to hire someone who is capable of removing and reinstalling solar panels. Investing in solar panels is typically thought of as a long-term plan so that you can get payback in the time you are living at the property.
The location Might Not Be Suitable
Solar cells are sometimes sensitive to the environment in which they are placed. It may be more challenging for solar cells to gather energy if the location in which you live receives a significant amount of shade.
Also, please be aware that clear skies are not required for solar energy production. Even in the northernmost parts of the UK, there is sufficient daylight for most of the day to make solar a viable option.
| Pros of solar | Cons of solar |
| Reduced electricity bills | Initial pollution involved in the production |
| Insurance against rising energy costs | Intermittent energy source |
| Good return on investment | Can require a lot of roof space |
| The high initial cost to buy and install | Initial pollution involved in production |
| Sustainable & environmentally-friendly | Not ideal if planning to move home |
| Increased energy independence | Not every location is suitable for solar |
When Solar Might Not Be the Best Option For You
When purchasing a solar power system, it is important to give careful consideration to both the benefits and the potential drawbacks of solar energy. It is possible that you should not consider purchasing it if you have immediate plans to relocate or sell your current home.
Solar energy is susceptible to the effects of both the climate and the geographical location, but panels can be installed almost anywhere. Even though your solar panels will still be able to collect energy on overcast or rainy days, the overall efficiency of the system will be reduced. Since there is no sun at night, the solar panels will not be able to collect any energy.
However, this problem can be easily remedied by installing a battery storage system, which will store your energy and make it available for use during the night.
Overall Benefits of Installing a Solar Panel System
Solar energy is useful for the vast majority of people. One of the primary benefits of installing a solar system is the reduction in money spent on your monthly electricity bill. It is possible for you to generate your own supply of energy.
When you have a solar energy system installed in your home, you will not only save money on ongoing maintenance expenses but also benefit from the generous warranty that most manufacturers provide, which usually ranges from 10 to 25 years (and occasionally 40 years!) in length.
Why Are Solar Panels Beneficial?
Solar panels are a more cost-effective form of energy generation. The price of solar energy installation is expected to continue to fall. In point of fact, the price has dropped by a whopping seventy percent in the space of just the last decade.
In addition, you can save money on the installation of a solar energy system by taking advantage of the tax credits and other financial incentives that the government offers for the use of solar power.
You have the best opportunity to gain access to a modern source of energy that is also reliable, sustainable, and inexpensive if you go the route of solar power. Not only people who own homes can benefit from solar energy, but also people who own businesses.
After all, solar energy is a renewable resource, and by using it, your actions won’t have any adverse effects on the surrounding environment.
Conclusion
The rate at which solar panels are being installed has increased in recent years. The more people learn about the many reasons why solar panels are an efficient source of energy, the more will choose to install solar panels and begin using them. The numerous positive aspects of utilising solar power far outweigh any potential drawbacks.
With your list of the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy, we hope you are now better informed and able to make the right decision regarding whether or not you should consider having solar power systems installed in your home. If you are still not sure, Solar Panels Savers can introduce you to an expert installer who can advise you on the best solar options for you.
