Solar Energy Advantages and Disadvantages
Solar energy is clean energy that emits no greenhouse gases. It is also one of the solutions most popular with households as an alternative to fossil energy sources. Solar power is also a prevalent choice among homeowners who want to generate their own cheap, clean energy and save money on their bills.
As the prices charged by energy suppliers increase and ecological concerns increase, individuals tend to turn to photovoltaic as an alternative to their electricity supply’s nuclear electricity distribution network.
Solar energy has so many applications, and it, as such, can even be used to heat or clean your swimming pool, which is one of the most sorts after solar power applications. A proper solar energy rig can heat your pool all year round, even during the winter, with free and clean energy.
In a context where solar panel offers are numerous, and suppliers argue in their favor, it may be useful to rely on an objective assessment, with supporting figures, before making a decision.
Discover all the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy below:
What are the Advantages of Solar Energy?
Solar energy has many advantages that make it an ideal solution for anyone who wants to save on energy bills while being more environmentally friendly.
It is a Renewable Energy Source
Solar energy is renewable energy and, therefore, inexhaustible on a human scale. Indeed, even though the sun has a limited lifespan, on our range, it promises to still provide its clarity and warmth for many centuries to come.
By renewable energy, we mean life that respects the environment and does not cause pollution. It is, therefore, a more reliable and healthier solution compared to non-renewable energy sources.
Solar Energy Can Either Drastically Reduce or Eliminate Your Electricity Bills
It is possible to achieve a situation of self-consumption and independence from energy suppliers, thanks to solar power, this is because since the sun is completely free, no one can charge you for anything and you can produce your heat. It is even possible to earn up to $2,110 in additional income by selling surplus feed to suppliers.
Solar energy also makes it possible to achieve attractive savings since, unlike the current distributed by energy suppliers, there is no tariff to pay; this also implies an apparent reduction in the amount that appears on energy bills.
Solar Energy Increases the Value of Your Building
The energy of the future par excellence, solar energy is a real asset because the installation of solar panels on a home is advantageous, both for sale and for users’ quality of life. The latter will produce their electricity and meet their energy needs without resorting to a third party. Also, installing solar panels on a house has become more accessible thanks to its grants and financial aid. Also, solar installations are sufficiently profitable after five years.
The Use of Photovoltaic Energy Allows You to Control the Increase in Energy Costs
The installation of photovoltaic solar panels to achieve self-consumption is the first step towards independence vis-à-vis traditional energy suppliers.
Thus, the user is no longer concerned with trends and the various flows relating to tariffs, making it possible to control energy costs.
However, in the absence of a storage solution such as a battery, production and consumption are carried out simultaneously, leading to the perdition of the electricity production not consumed.
If production is higher than the level of use, it is advisable to reinvent the surplus into the electricity network and invoice the sale to EDF. On the contrary, if the production is insufficient, there is no need to worry because it provides the necessary additional electricity. This modularity is also one of the significant assets of solar energy.
From a fiscal point of view, the sale of electricity to EDF is not complicated; also, the income generated is exempted from taxes (under certain conditions, of course).
The installation must be less than or equal to 3 kW to benefit from this tax, and you must at least connect to the public network at two points and, finally, reserve solar energy for strictly personal use.
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What are the Disadvantages of Solar Energy?
Depending on the characteristics of the solar installation, there are disadvantages of solar energy. Indeed, despite the many advantages, one should not underestimate certain obstacles that may prevent the possibility of proceeding with the installation. Thus, these different aspects of being analyzed are as follows:
A High Cost
The cost of installation is one of the main drawbacks of solar energy. A budget of around € 15,238, including tax, must be provided to acquire a photovoltaic solar panel with a power of 3Kw.
Solar Energy is an Intermittent Energy Source
Compared to other energy sources, energy efficiency is relatively low; indeed, the ratio between the amount of energy received in a solar panel and the amount of electrical power is lower than other energy sources such as nuclear energy. Solar energy depends on the climate, although performance varies over time that it automatically eliminates the possibility of using it in regions where cloud cover is constant.
Solar time is short; this is, for example, the case of northern areas where solar hours are very few during the winter season.
Installation Requires Much Space
It is mandatory to use a vast area of photovoltaic panels to ensure proper energy production. Therefore, this system’s profitability is lower compared to sure others, such as nuclear for significant production.
The production of solar energy is currently in full expansion. The phenomenon will also increase in the coming years, which is inevitable in a context where fossil fuels are becoming increasingly scarce.
The International Energy Agency estimates that the peak of conventional oil production in 2006, renewable energies will soon be essential.
A photovoltaic installation study not taken lightly must be the subject of in-depth research; thus, when calculating your project’s profitability, many criteria must be taken into account: your energy needs, the geographical area, the orientation of the accommodation, the inclination of the roof.