In the future we will be using solar energy to power our homes and cars. We can take a look at the pros and cons of solar energy to decide if we can live with it. We will all be using renewable solar power in the future and in a way we always have been.
Energy we are using today comes from the oil that was produced by the plants that the sun helped to grow. Over millions of years the vegetation was converted into the oil we use today.
Oil is getting used up fast and we now understand how carbon fuels are polluting the air we need to breathe. Now we are looking to short-circuit the process of converting the sun’s energy into electricity and bypass the need for oil, by making use of solar energy collector panels.
Solar energy is clean and free and it doesn’t pollute the air or our drinking water. If you have the solar energy collection equipment available, then solar power is free. A correctly installed solar system is almost maintenance-free once it is set up.
So exactly what are the disadvantages of solar energy? The biggest disadvantage is the cost of the solar panels and inverters required to supply the energy needs of your home. You can buy a DIY solar panel kit which makes it more economically viable. Solar panels work best in hot sunny climates and they do not work at all at night, so alternative energy supplies need to be available.
Converting solar energy to electricity is not a very efficient process using solar panels and this can be a problem. They cost a significant amount of money to buy. The cost of purchase and installation does take a few years to recoup from the savings on energy bills.
So there are some pros and cons of solar energy panels - but try and find another investment that once paid for gives you money for nothing, and the benefits of solar energy panels are very clear. For a while you will be using energy and the savings will be effectively paying for the solar panels and installation, but after a few years it is all paid for and the savings are pure profit - making solar panels a good long term investment.
They can be combined with wind generators to produce an excellent power generation scheme, since in the natural way of things, if the sun power is not sufficient at any particular moment, then wind power could well be available.
And the Rolls-Royce of off-grid power schemes would be to also use a ground heat pump in the system. This should cover all options.
Tags: wind power