Introduction
Solar panels are a promising renewable, clean, and cheap energy source. They use sunlight (abundantly present everywhere in the world) and convert it into electricity we use for multiple purposes in our homes and offices. There are some pros and cons of solar panels. The panels consist of small cells made up of silicon called photovoltaic cells. These cells generate the electric current by sun rays, but this electric energy is the direct current. So while installing the solar energy, you must install an inverter to convert the direct current into the alternate current, as most of our devices do not use the direct current.
Now the question is whether installing the solar panel is worth the investment. What are the advantages of these panels, and do they have any drawbacks also? This article will explore all the information relevant to these questions. Let’s explore the Pros and cons of solar panels for sustainable living.
Benefits of solar energy
Using solar energy, you can reduce your electricity bills by upto 10% to 40%. This reduction depends upon your home’s location, solar system efficiency, roof area, and energy needs.
By installing and using a battery storage system with your solar system, you can reduce even 90% to 100% of your dependence on a utility company, and you do not need any more to buy electricity.
Federal and state governments also incentivise solar panel users and buyers. These incentives may include tax credits, rebates, grants and many more. So you should take advantage of these incentives as well. By using these incentives, you can lower the upfront cost of your solar system installation. Also, you can increase your return on the investment.
Other electricity sources like fossil fuels are subjected to price fluctuations, geopolitical conflicts, and supply problems, but solar energy is abundant everywhere; you do not have to face such problems. You do not need to buy any source material as your source material is free sun energy.
Using electricity, you may worry about power outages and blackouts. Also, as you do not need any grid connection, you do not need to worry about grid failure. You can also call the excessive amount of energy back to the grid, stored in the solar battery . Doing so, you can earn some extra income.
You do not need to depend on foreign oils and gas imports to generate electricity, which can positively impact the national economy and security. So having your solar system gives you ease and comfort.
Drawbacks of solar energy
One drawback of solar panels is their high upfront cost. It may vary depending on the solar system’s size, quality and type. You need to make a budget with proper planning and consider a payback period before buying and installing a solar panel. The payback period can vary from 5 to 20 years, depending on location, energy usage, system performance, and incentives.
Similarly, to install a solar panel, you need a lot of space, and most preferably, the solar panels are mounted on a large, flat, south-facing roof that receives adequate sunlight throughout the year. But if you do not have such a location, you can use ground-mounted panels or community solar programs, but installing these may face high costs and complexity. Solar panels may also affect your property value, depending on the market and buyer demand. So focus on the aesthetics as well when buying solar panels.
Future trends and developments in solar energy
Solar energy is growing fast. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), solar power capacity increased by 22% in 2020, reaching 714 gigawatts (GW) globally. Similarly, the global solar energy market is expected to expand and contribute upto 27% of the global electricity by 2050 under its Transforming Energy Scenario.
The companies and brands producing solar panels are continuously improving their technologies. Also, they are working on the material used to manufacture the solar panels to increase their efficiency, durability, and affordability.
Some of the latest innovations and breakthroughs in solar include:
- Perovskite solar cells can achieve higher efficiencies and lower costs than conventional silicon cells.
- Quantum dot solar cells can be integrated into windows and other surfaces to generate electricity from ambient light.
- Bifacial solar panels can capture sunlight from both sides and increase output by up to 30%.
- Molten salt thermal storage, which can store excess solar heat and use it to generate electricity at night or on cloudy days.
FAQs
What are the environmental pros and cons of solar?
They provide sustainable energy at a very low cost. They reduce the carbon footprints. They provide clean energy means no harmful gas emissions occur during energy production, so ultimately, they safely contribute to the environment. But one major drawback of solars is that they only generate energy in the presence of sunlight.
How do solar panels promote sustainable living?
They contribute to greenhouse gas emissions reduction. They also contribute to lower fossil fuel use. They provide cheap energy, so they reduce the electricity bills cost. They contribute towards energy independence as well.
What are the disadvantages of solar panels to the environment?
The disadvantages of solar panels to the environment are:
They can cause land degradation and habitat loss for large-scale projects
Water use and consumption for concentrating solar thermal plants
Waste generation and disposal for solar panel manufacturing and decommissioning.
Are solar panels 100% sustainable?
No, they are not. They are not risk-free, yet they have some environmental and social impacts. Some major impacts are resource extraction, land use, water consumption, waste management, and human rights issues. But while comparing them with fossil fuels, they are much more sustainable because they reduce gas emissions and air pollution. They have low operating costs during high energy potential.
Final Analysis
Solar panels are a viable source of energy. Using them, we can transition towards a low-carbon and sustainable future as they reduce carbon footprints and are quite sustainable compared to other energy sources. They have the potential to reduce your electricity bills to a greater extent. They increase your energy security, independence, and worth of investment. They lower greenhouse gases as well, but they also have some drawbacks, like they require high upfront and maintenance costs.
They depend upon the sunlight that is not available at night time. Also, they may cause scarcity of the materials they are made up of. So when you want to move from grid to solar electricity, do comprehensive research about the Pros and cons of solar panels for sustainable living, then decide what suits you and what is not. Solar energy is not a perfect solution, but it is powerful and positive.
