Are you overwhelmed by your monthly electric bills?
Are you contemplating going solar, but you feel like you don’t have all of the information you need?
This article will give you the pros and cons of solar power and then help you to make a candid decision.
Solar panels have been of great significance over the last 20 years with high adoption rates in the USA. The increase in popularity has stemmed from homeowners and business people. The high number of installations by homeowners is an indication of the numerous advantages associated with solar energy.
(Source: Reading Junction)
Why Go Solar?
Homeowners adopt solar energy to save on their electric bills. On the other hand, we cannot assume that homeowners even know the pros and cons of solar energy. Enlightened Solar has vast experience in the installation of solar power in Orange County. We have made installations and met numerous clients to understand the ins and outs of solar energy advantages and disadvantages.
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Energy?
Although incurring a considerable investment cost, solar panels are worth every penny. As a homeowner looking to invest in solar energy, you should know it is a long-term plan. Solar installation will serve you for more than 20 years, giving you a high return on investment (ROI).
This article will discuss the pros and cons of going solar for your home. It will help you when deciding on your home’s solar installation. Let’s get into the details:
Advantages of Solar Power
- Solar is a renewable energy source
- Solar energy will reduce your electric bill
- Solar has a wide range of applications
- Low maintenance costs
- Solar increases your property value
Disadvantages of Solar Energy
- Cost of installation
- Weather-dependent
- Solar energy storage is expensive
- Uses a lot of space
- Associated with pollution
Investment in solar panels has massive advantages for homeowners. Let’s start with a discussion around the pros of going solar:
What are the Advantages of Solar Energy?
Solar is a Renewable Energy Source.
The sun is a powerful energy source. You can put it to use through the use of solar energy. Solar is powered by sunlight which is available all over the world.
Imagine generating your energy from a free God-given source? Isn’t it amazing! That is what solar energy entails; continuous generation of energy for long periods.
Therefore, why go solar? The first advantage is that solar energy is a renewable energy source. You can get it from anywhere, and it is available every single day. Other sources of energy may run out but solar; you have it all day, every day.
As long as the sun is shining, your home will always have energy and power. However, poor installation services may cost you the efficiency of your solar panels. Therefore, it is necessary to make proper considerations when deciding on a solar provider.
In addition to the above, the energy produced by solar panels is clean, renewable, and has zero emissions. Therefore, solar power does not contribute to greenhouse gasses or fossil fuels, unlike other oils and coals. It means that solar panels are environmentally friendly products and will not harm the planet.
Being environmentally friendly means a lot. Protecting the environment is one of the most popular reasons people move towards solar and is one of the most significant advantages of solar panels.
Solar Energy Will Reduce your Electric Bill.
After working in the solar industry for so long, we know that the main reason for installing solar panels is to save on electric bills. Homeowners are tired of the high bills that keep increasing every single day, especially in California.
If you are looking at how to save on electric bills, you know that the solar solution is one of the most popular. So, how does this happen? With solar panels installed in your home, you can generate your own power. So, at the end of the month, your electric bill will have been reduced drastically. Your electric bill is reduced because your energy requirements are served by the electricity generated by your solar system.
The amount of dollars you save on your monthly electric bill is dependent on the size of your solar system. Also, the amount of energy used in your home determines how high the electric bill comes in at. Sometimes you will be able to channel the extra energy to the primary grid and earn rebates back on the extra energy that you have generated. Through this, you will receive payment from the power company for the energy that you export.
Solar Has a Wide Range of Applications.
When you have solar energy, you can use it for various purposes. As you have seen above, you can generate electricity and export the extra energy to the primary grid. In areas that do not have a grid, solar energy can produce electricity to distill water in regions with limited clean water supplies.
Innovations have found that applications can integrate solar energy. For example, there are transparent solar energy windows available in the market.
There are also different types of solar panels available for other users. As a homeowner, we believe you will be looking for the best deal to save your money while giving you complete services offered by solar. There are many options to choose from in this category. You also have the opportunity to live grid-free if all the power generated is enough for your home.
With solar energy, you can use batteries to store extra power for use at night. Most energy consumption happens during the night; therefore, your electric bill will be lower if you can save energy during the day.
Thermal solar panels are also available for people who spend most of their energy on heating and use solar to help lower the costs.
Having this wide variety of options comes as a massive advantage for homeowners as they can get solar panels specific to their requirements and needs.
Solar Panels Have Low Maintenance Costs.
(Source: Captain Green)
When you invest in solar power, you will be amazed at the low amount of the maintenance costs. Enlightened Solar has been in this business for a long time and our clients have expressed their gratitude regarding the smooth operations that come with quality solar panel installations as it relates to maintenance.
The only main job with solar panels is to keep them clean. Depending on where they are mounted, you can do this by cleaning them at least three times a year. If your region has a lot of wind and dust particles that get to the solar panels, you should always check the panels to avoid damage.
A reliable solar panel will serve you for almost 20-25 years. A quality solar provider will also give you a warranty on your product. In addition to this, your installation provider should also offer a warranty that will allow you to get repair services as necessary.
Your solar inverter will need a change after 5-10 years due to its continuous solar energy conversion to electricity. However, the maintenance will assure you of maximum efficiency.
The only high cost you will incur is during the initial installation, in which we will discuss the disadvantages. However, the maintenance cost and the efficiency it gives you will save you much more.
Solar Raises Your Property Value.
The idea that the installation of solar panels could increase your property value is something that you should consider. The consumer reality portrays the inevitable benefits of having solar in your home. Research shows that your home increases in value as long as you have solar system installation.
How does this happen?
Many people looking to buy or rent homes are considering homes with already installed solar panels. These buyers already know the value and advantages of solar energy, such as saving on electric bills.
If you decide to move in the future, you will earn your investment cost on solar power back when selling your home. The solar system is adding to the real estate market value and your home resale value will not be the same as it would be without panels.
Clients are going for homes with already installed solar panels due to the high cost of installation. They find it cheaper to buy a house with solar panels, saving them the back and forth of doing due diligence. In addition, a home with solar panels is already generating its energy compared to that without solar.
Disadvantages of Solar Power
(Source: Solar Metric)
Now, let us dive into the disadvantages of solar power.
High Cost of Installation
The initial cost of purchasing a solar system is pretty high. It includes paying for solar panels, inverters, batteries, wiring, and installation. Nevertheless, solar technologies are constantly developing, so it is safe to assume that prices will go down in the future.
There’s a nationwide debate going on about how much homeowners have to pay out-of-pocket for solar. The total price tag for a solar panel system depends on tax credits, rebates, and the financing option you choose.
Enlightened Solar will guide you on this as you look to install your solar system. The up-front cost of solar is sizable if you don’t qualify for a zero-down solar loan.
The con is that not everyone has the cash to invest with an up-front payment. That being said, there are several solar financing options to help you get around this solar con, such as state-backed loan programs, leases, and power purchase agreements.
This should not discourage you from investing in solar. California has many good tax incentives and rebates that will save you a lot of money.
It is Hard Finding Quality Solar Installers.
As much as the pros of a solar system are undeniably excellent, one crucial factor that can drown all of this is poor installation. Unfortunately, finding a quality solar panel installation company is a chore. You can easily fall into the hands of middlemen who are not concerned about the quality of the installation. Their primary mission is money, and when they get it, they disappear on you.
The solar industry is an industry that is growing very fast. As a result, many companies have sprouted up out of nowhere and are deploying aggressive salespeople ready to sign you up without giving you a chance to do due diligence.
Before you sign any contract, read and understand the company’s terms of service. Then, go online and review the company; you will find other previous customers with their reviews.
At Enlightened Solar, you will be able to see our clients’ reviews. Before we sign a contract, we will visit your home for assessment and advise you on what kind of installation you need. Visit our website to book a consultation with us.
Solar Panels Are Not Compatible With Every Kind of Roof
Solar panels on the roof are popular and the most preferred option due to the advantages of direct sunlight. While at the top of the house, the solar panels can gain and absorb maximum sun energy hence generating a lot of energy.
Rooftop solar panels are installed by connecting a mounting system to your roof. Unfortunately, certain roofing materials used in older or historical homes, such as slate or cedar tiles, can be complex for solar installers to work with, throwing up a roadblock for solar power. In addition, many homes and apartment buildings have skylights or other rooftop additions like roof decks, making the solar installation process difficult or costly.
In addition, the more electricity you want to produce, the more solar panels you will need, as you want to collect as much sunlight as possible. Unfortunately, solar panels require a lot of space, and some roofs are not big enough to fit the number of solar panels you would like to have to generate the required energy needed.
An alternative is to install some of the panels in your yard, but they need access to sunlight. If you don’t have the space for all the boards you wanted, you can still install fewer to satisfy some of your energy needs. In California, it is difficult to install solar panels in yards due to the lack of available yard space.
(Source: The Motley Fool)
Solar Storage is Expensive
You can use solar energy right away, or you can store it in large batteries. The solar energy can charge the solar batteries used in off-grid solar systems to use the power at night. It is expensive, but a good solution for using solar energy all day long.
In most cases, it is wiser to use solar energy during the day and take power from the grid during the night. Therefore, you need to connect your solar system to the grid. Luckily your energy demand is usually higher during the day so that you can meet most of it with solar energy.
Final Thoughts on the Pros and Cons of Solar Energy
You cannot underestimate the many advantages of solar panels. You will be able to save costs and energy and get a solution for how to save money on your electric bill. Knowing the pros and cons of solar panels is necessary for every homeowner looking to invest in solar energy. If this has fueled your interest in installing solar panels in your home, be sure to check us at Enlightened Solar for expert advice and premium consultation and installation services.
The diverse knowledge has also taught you the pros and cons of solar panels on roofs due to the direct access to sunlight. Make these articles your reference point as you decide on whether to invest in solar panels. Enlightened solar has served solar installations in Orange County for a long time. We can advise you according to the needs of your home. Contact us today.