| The use of solar energy is versatile; it is used for | | | | dilute. This means you have to have a lot of solar |
| electricity, central heating, hot water, cooking, for | | | | collectors installed around your house. The energy |
| producing salt and even for desalination. The energy | | | | itself is free, but the solar collectors are relatively |
| comes from the sun's rays and is known to be very | | | | expensive and some require regular maintenance in |
| environmentally friendly. However, when the sun rays | | | | order to work properly and efficiently. If you decide |
| enter the earth's atmosphere it is quite dilute. | | | | to go solar you need to calculate the return on |
| Although the advantages are clear there are also | | | | investment in order to know if the investment will be |
| disadvantages. | | | | worth it. |
| Let's start with the biggest advantage; it is a clean | | | | One big disadvantage is that you need the sun rays |
| form of energy. To produce electricity or heat you | | | | to make use of it. If you are situated in a part of |
| only need the sun rays. There is no need to use | | | | this beautiful planet where there is not much sun light |
| fossil fuel in combination with sun rays to produce | | | | then this could be a problem. In other areas, the sun |
| electricity or heat. You just need a solar energy | | | | rays are almost always covered in clouds making |
| collector or solar power panels in order to convert | | | | solar energy collectors less efficient. You should first |
| the energy into electricity. | | | | know if the sunshine in your area is abundant for the |
| Another advantage is that it is cheaper than to use | | | | most part of the year. Of course if you live in desert |
| traditional electricity for heating. If you are using | | | | areas like in Arizona or Mexico the sun produces a lot |
| traditional electricity for heating you can save a lot of | | | | of sunshine for the most part of the. |
| money. In return you will get lower electric bills and it | | | | Lastly the sun only shines during the day. Therefore |
| also means that you don't have to maintain heaters. | | | | if you need electricity or hot water during the night, |
| If you live in a remote area where there are no | | | | like many of us do, it can be a problem. You will need |
| power-lines solar energy can be the solution. There | | | | a backup system like the 'old' utility grid or you will |
| are remote areas where power companies have no | | | | need to store the electricity for later use. There are |
| means to access your home. This great alternative | | | | battery systems that can store solar energy for later |
| can provide you with anything from heating water, | | | | use. The hot water collected during daytime is often |
| electricity, and even cooking. | | | | stored in a tank for later use. The modern systems |
| Another great use is for desalination in areas where | | | | are becoming more sophisticated in storing electricity |
| fresh, drinkable water is scarce. The brine is | | | | or hot water. If you are still using your grid, the |
| evaporated and leaves the salt crystals in the | | | | produced electricity can be pumped back into the |
| bottom of the basin. The water in turn condenses | | | | grid. |
| back in another basin where it is now drinkable. | | | | Solar energy is very clean and is a good alternative |
| The advantages mentioned above are tremendous | | | | for traditional electricity. Although this is true it is also |
| but there are some disadvantages. These | | | | good to mention the disadvantages. If you are |
| disadvantages also need to be discussed to paint a | | | | considering using solar energy you must read this first |
| better overall picture. | | | | to make a balanced decision. |
| The main disadvantage of solar energy is that it's | | | | |