Today everybody is looking for ways to save money on high energy cost as well as go green. One of the ways that people consider is installing solar panels to their home. While these do work very well, they also have some very concrete drawbacks. Let’s take a look at a few pros and cons of today’s solar panels. One of the first pros that are so obvious is that they reduce the strain on the energy consumption and they are a renewable energy source. One thing that makes solar panels such an inviting option is that sunlight is always free, and as far as we know, the sun will come up tomorrow and the next day and continue to do so for a long time. These are very ideal for people who live in a climate that boasts a lot of sunlight.
Another good thing about solar panels is that they will save you money in the long run. It will cut back on your utility bills and if you are especially lucky, you will have to pay nothing to the utility companies at all. This to me is a definite plus.
Solar panels emit no pollution, so this enhances the environment and keeps your home on the green side. Saving the planet should be a huge priority for everybody and this is a keen way to start being more friendly to Mother Nature. And they are pretty much maintenance free. Maybe a rinse off here and there or twice a year hand cleaning.
As if all that were not enough to convince you, there are always the tax breaks that you will receive for having solar paneling installed in your home. In addition to that, some states have a program called “net metering” which essentially turns your meter backwards and you can get a credit on your utilities or sell the extra energy that you have generated to the other companies. Sounds like a great deal to me. The government offers a tax credit of up to $2000. If you go to www.dsireusa.org you can look up the incentives that are offered by state.
Here is a benefit that the whole neighborhood will appreciate. Solar panels are quiet. There are no moving parts or machinery to create noise pollution.
Of course, as in all things good, there are always some drawbacks. The biggest drawback is the initial installation costs. No it is not cheap to have these little bad boys installed and most do-it-yourselfers are not equipped to take on this type of project. They will need to be professionally installed which can cost you a pretty penny, but in the end it will pay for itself over and over.
As mentioned before, sun is an important factor, so if you live in a climate that does not receive a lot of sunlight, this might not benefit you as much. Solar panels depend on sunlight to create the energy to supply to the home, so if you have a short day, a cloudy day, you will have to rely on another source of energy after you have used up the stored energy. This will also determine the amount of panels you will need to install. This also holds true for the nighttime hours when there is no sun out. I don’t think they’ve invented a moon powered panel as of yet.
This may not be as important to some people as others, but solar panels across your roof or located in your yard may not be so pleasing to the eye or the curb appeal. This could be a drawback for some, but will the benefits outweigh them.
Sometimes things happen, especially nature, and you will need to replace a broken or faulty panel which can add to your costs. Maintaining the panels increases the productivity and is an important factor.
Winter weather can also be a burden for some home owners as well. Take for instance a heavy snow storm that temporarily covers your panels. During this instance the panels are not soaking in any of the rays from the sun, therefore reducing your efficiency. Hopefully at this point you will have banked a sufficient amount of net energy to hold you over.
Either way, however you look at it solar panels are a good thing. If you can afford them, than go ahead and indulge in this modern convenience and enjoy the future savings to come. You can also rest easily knowing that you are doing your part in protecting and preserving the environment.
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