Many people talk like solar energy is the answer to our future energy supply. Since the Earth is constantly being bombarded with free energy, whether we use it or not, it would seem like a no brainer. So why aren't we attaching solar panels to every roof if solar power is so great? As good as solar energy may sound, there are both pros and cons to solar.
The obvious advantages to solar energy is it is free energy that hits the earth every day whether we capture it or not. It is there for the taking no matter what we do. It is just up to us to capture it and convert it into a usable form, like electricity or heat. The amount of solar energy that hits the Earth every day is enormous. A rooftop receives enough energy to power an average home. And after the initial cost of the solar equipment, the energy costs nothing.
Solar is clean and renewable. Nothing is burned so there are no emissions. Solar devices just capture the energy that is already available. There are no worries about running out of sunlight, so it is totally renewable. At least for the few billions of years that scientists expect the sun to keep burning.
Solar panels and heat collecting equipment are typically low maintenance and reliable. Without moving parts, solar collectors can operate for many years reliably without having to really think about them. This is unlike most forms of energy generators that use flames, turbines, engines and complex moving parts that need to be maintained and can be subject to mechanical problems. This is what makes solar energy more practical for home energy generation.
One of the disadvantages of solar is, the sun only shines in areas for part of the day. Solar collectors do not generate energy at night, so you need either another energy source at night, or the ability to store energy during the day to be used at night. Also cloudy days will reduce the amount of solar energy available. This is why many home's equipped with solar panels stay connected to the grid. This way they can use electricity from the grid when the sun is not shining, and sell any excess energy that the solar panels produce back to the power company. Or they just use it as a supplement to reduce their energy bill.
The high cost of solar panels has been the biggest deterrent to solar energy. Solar panels can cost more than the energy they will potentially produce over many years. It can take a long time for them to pay off. Fortunately the cost of solar panels is starting to come down and they are expected to get cheaper in coming years. Solar panels and heat collectors can also be easy to build for a much lower cost.
The obvious advantages to solar energy is it is free energy that hits the earth every day whether we capture it or not. It is there for the taking no matter what we do. It is just up to us to capture it and convert it into a usable form, like electricity or heat. The amount of solar energy that hits the Earth every day is enormous. A rooftop receives enough energy to power an average home. And after the initial cost of the solar equipment, the energy costs nothing.
Solar is clean and renewable. Nothing is burned so there are no emissions. Solar devices just capture the energy that is already available. There are no worries about running out of sunlight, so it is totally renewable. At least for the few billions of years that scientists expect the sun to keep burning.
Solar panels and heat collecting equipment are typically low maintenance and reliable. Without moving parts, solar collectors can operate for many years reliably without having to really think about them. This is unlike most forms of energy generators that use flames, turbines, engines and complex moving parts that need to be maintained and can be subject to mechanical problems. This is what makes solar energy more practical for home energy generation.
One of the disadvantages of solar is, the sun only shines in areas for part of the day. Solar collectors do not generate energy at night, so you need either another energy source at night, or the ability to store energy during the day to be used at night. Also cloudy days will reduce the amount of solar energy available. This is why many home's equipped with solar panels stay connected to the grid. This way they can use electricity from the grid when the sun is not shining, and sell any excess energy that the solar panels produce back to the power company. Or they just use it as a supplement to reduce their energy bill.
The high cost of solar panels has been the biggest deterrent to solar energy. Solar panels can cost more than the energy they will potentially produce over many years. It can take a long time for them to pay off. Fortunately the cost of solar panels is starting to come down and they are expected to get cheaper in coming years. Solar panels and heat collectors can also be easy to build for a much lower cost.
Learn how to build solar panels and other solar collectors for a fraction of the cost. Building your own solar equipment can make soar affordable to just about anyone.
http://SolarEnergySunPower.com
http://SolarEnergySunPower.com
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