Now that fossil fuels are rapidly depleting and climate change is posing a significant threat, we all need to be doing our best to become more environmentally friendly. This includes doing things like recycling, reducing our carbon footprint, eating locally produced foods, ectara. Perhaps one of the best things we can do to tackle global warming is install a solar panel for our home. Of course, these are a big expense, so it’s important to weigh up their advantages and disadvantages before buying one.
We’ve written this article to help people decide whether a solar panel is right for them in their journey to becoming eco-friendlier.
Upfront Costs
One of the main disadvantages of solar panels is that their upfront costs are extortionate. The average price range is around $12k, which is what puts most people off buying them. Not only is a solar panel expensive to purchase but also expensive to install, plus both these costs increase with the size of your home (as you will need more panels to power it effectively). It’s frustrating that an eco-friendlier lifestyle also tends to be a more expensive one, but solar panels have actually decreased in price over the past two decades. They used to be 70% more expensive in the 2000s. With renewable energy becoming more affordable and widely available, in another few years, everyone should be able to afford one.
Energy Bills
Despite solar panels being expensive regarding their upfront costs, they do save you money in the long run. They become your personal energy supplier, meaning you don’t have to rely so much on gas and electricity companies to power your home. This will save you a significant amount on your next energy bill. Even better, there’s such thing as a generation tariff and an export tariff for those who are eligible. A generation tariff is where your energy supplier will pay you for each kWh you produce with your solar panels; an export tariff is where your supplier pays you an additional fund for every unit of electricity you return to the national grid. It’s a great incentive for those who are thinking of getting solar panels.
Weather Dependent
The effectiveness of solar panels does fluctuate with the weather. On sunny days, they absorb far more energy to convert into electricity; whereas on stormy days, they can’t access the sunlight all that well, so they will produce significantly less energy. This is particularly problematic if you live somewhere with bad weather or where the days are much shorter during the wintertime. Therefore, it’s worth considering the average weather conditions of your area before installing a solar panel. However, solar panels do still work in cloudy weather, and they can still produce electricity during the night-time by using leftover energy from the day.
Environmental Impact
Solar panels help us save the environment in more ways than just one. Firstly, they reduce our reliance on fossil fuels like coal and gas. Not only are fossil fuels a finite resource which is being rapidly depleted, but they also release terrible emissions (such as CO2) into the environment when being used to produce electricity. Solar energy, on the other hand, is a form of renewable energy which will never run out as long as the sun shines. It’s also completely free from pollution. Buying a solar panel for your home helps to support the clean energy industry, which is essential for combatting climate change and ensuring humanity’s longevity.
Maintenance
What’s also great about solar panels is they’re fairly low maintenance. Unlike boilers, which need regular checks to ensure they’re safe, solar panels don’t pose a greater threat to your household. They also aren’t likely to break down because they don’t have moving parts which are susceptible to rust. However, solar panel cleaning is a must. Make sure your panels are free of dirt and dust, otherwise they won’t be able to absorb sunlight properly, thereby rendering them ineffective. Most people use a solar panel cleaning service to do so. This is because it’s important to apply the right force when washing down your panels as you don’t want to damage the system. Climbing onto the roof is too dangerous for non-professionals, especially as the surface of the panels is slippery. If you want someone to wash your solar panels to a high standard, ensuring they work better and last longer, then you can get in touch with professionals such as this solar panel cleaning service.
These are the main advantages and disadvantages of solar panels for your home. Not only are they becoming increasingly cost-effective nowadays, but they’re also reasonably low-maintenance and significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Help save the environment by installing one today.
