Pros and Cons of Solar Power
An excellent environmentally friendly source of energy is solar power. Even though solar has a lot of pros it also has a few cons worth pointing out. Let's take a look at both:
Pros:
Solar doesn't cause pollution or add to global warming by expelling damaging green house gases into the air. It is a clean, renewable and sustainable source of energy. For the most part Solar could be generated almost anywhere on the planet that gets sufficient sun. Other fuel sources are not necessary for solar to generate energy and neither does it require storage for waste by-products.
Compared to the cost of energy from other sources the initial project could be very expensive but savings are eventually recovered. Eventually the energy generated will be free of charge and all surplus can be sold back to the utility company. You don't have to fret about increasing cost of energy because with solar as a substitute you won't depend on traditional resources.
Solar systems can exist in a crowded busy city or in a desolate desert miles from utility lines. If there is adequate sunlight solar is a viable option anywhere. Once a solar system is installed there is almost no maintanence necessary.
Cons:
Now that we've considered the pros of solar energy let's look at the cons. One of the most important obstacles that stop a lot of consumers from changing to solar is the high setup expense. It can cost tens of thousands of dollars for a solar system to totally supply electric to a home. Although costly, during times when the price of traditional energy resources rise solar is suddenly a much more attractive alternative. There are a number of programs avaialble for individuals who would like to construct their own system. Savings are significant and a lot of people are doing so.
One more con is that a solar system usually requires plenty of collectors that could possibly cover the whole roof. Another negative is if the sun isn't shining the collectors are ineffective. Even in locations where sunshine is plentiful it's good to get a battery backup system for periods when the sun isn't available. With no backup you'll need to rely on the electric company or another resource.
After comparing the pros and cons it's evident solar energy will have a bright future. It's too bad high price is an obstacle because there are many advantages. Clean solar energy is a great alternative to non-renewable energy that damage the environment. In spite of the few cons the pros of solar energy are attractive and make Solar energy a source worth considering.
I am a researcher and published writer. I often write about environmental issues. Sign Up for your: 7 Ways to Save Power around the Home FREE REPORT