| Many of us know that solar energy is a good | | | | dependence on foreign and/or centralized |
| thing, but few really understand why. | | | | sources of energy, influenced by natural |
| Therefore, I compiled a comprehensive list of | | | | disasters or international events and so |
| solar energy advantages and disadvantages | | | | contributes to a sustainable future. |
| that will enable you to make an educated | | | | |
| decision whether on not Solar Power is right | | | | Solar Energy supports local job and wealth |
| for YOU.Solar Energy Advantages1. Saves you | | | | creation, fuelling local economies. |
| money | | | | |
| | | | 4. Low/ no maintenance |
| After the initial investment has been | | | | |
| recovered, the energy from the sun is | | | | Solar Energy systems are virtually |
| practically FREE. | | | | maintenance free and will last for decades. |
| | | | |
| The recovery/ payback period for this | | | | Once installed, there are no recurring |
| investment can be very short depending on how | | | | costs. |
| much electricity your household uses. | | | | |
| | | | They operate silently, have no moving parts, |
| Financial incentives are available form the | | | | do not release offensive smells and do not |
| government that will reduce your cost. | | | | require you to add any fuel. |
| | | | |
| If your system produce more energy than you | | | | More solar panels can easily be added in the |
| use, your utility company can buy it from | | | | future when your family's needs grow. |
| you, building up a credit on your account! | | | | |
| This is called net metering. | | | | Solar Energy Disadvantages |
| | | | |
| It will save you money on your electricity | | | | The initial cost is the main disadvantage of |
| bill if you have one at all. | | | | installing a solar energy system, largely |
| | | | because of the high cost of the |
| Solar energy does not require any fuel. | | | | semi-conducting materials used in building |
| | | | one. |
| It's not affected by the supply and demand | | | | |
| of fuel and is therefore not subjected to the | | | | The cost of solar energy is also high |
| ever-increasing price of gasoline. | | | | compared to non-renewable utility-supplied |
| | | | electricity. As energy shortages are becoming |
| The savings are immediate and for many years | | | | more common, solar energy is becoming more |
| to come. | | | | price-competitive. |
| | | | |
| The use of solar energy indirectly reduces | | | | Solar panels require quite a large area for |
| health costs. | | | | installation to achieve a good level of |
| | | | efficiency. |
| 2. Environmentally friendly | | | | |
| | | | The efficiency of the system also relies on |
| Solar Energy is clean, renewable (unlike | | | | the location of the sun, although this |
| gas, oil and coal) and sustainable, helping | | | | problem can be overcome with the installation |
| to protect our environment. | | | | of certain components. |
| | | | |
| It does not pollute our air by releasing | | | | The production of solar energy is influenced |
| carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur | | | | by the presence of clouds or pollution in the |
| dioxide or mercury into the atmosphere like | | | | air. |
| many traditional forms of electrical | | | | |
| generations does. | | | | Similarly, no solar energy will be produced |
| | | | during nighttime although a battery backup |
| Therefore Solar Energy does not contribute | | | | system and/or net metering will solve this |
| to global warming, acid rain or smog. | | | | problem. See for details on how net metering |
| | | | allows you to save electricity and money. |
| It actively contributes to the decrease of | | | | |
| harmful green house gas emissions. | | | | As far as solar powered cars go - their |
| | | | slower speed might not appeal to everyone |
| It's generated where it is needed. | | | | caught up in today's rat race. |
| | | | |
| By not using any fuel, Solar Energy does not | | | | To learn more about solar energy, go to |
| contribute to the cost and problems of the | | | | discover ... |
| recovery and transportation of fuel or the | | | | |
| storage of radioactive waste. | | | | |
| | | | |
| 3. Independent/ semi-independent | | | | what solar energy is |
| | | | |
| Solar Energy can be utilized to offset | | | | how solar energy works |
| utility-supplied energy consumption. It does | | | | |
| not only reduce your electricity bill, but | | | | interesting facts about solar energy |
| will also continue to supply your home/ | | | | |
| business with electricity in the event of a | | | | how much solar energy costs |
| power outage. | | | | |
| | | | passive solar energy for homes, and |
| A Solar Energy system can operate entirely | | | | |
| independent, not requiring a connection to a | | | | how to build solar energy systems |
| power or gas grid at all. Systems can | | | | |
| therefore be installed in remote locations | | | | There's a whole section for students, |
| (like holiday log cabins), making it more | | | | teachers and parents; whiles homeowners can |
| practical and cost-effective than the supply | | | | obtain FREE QUOTES for their solar energy |
| of utility electricity to a new site. | | | | projects. You'll find book and product |
| | | | reviews some helpful energy saving tips. |
| The use of Solar Energy reduces our | | | | |