In order to make a good decision about converting or not converting your home to solar energy, you need to look at the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy homes. In a prior article we have listed certain advantages such as:
•having free electricity once the initial investment has been repaid
•the fact that solar energy is non-polluting and does not contribute to Greenhouse Gas emissions
•most solar energy arrays are maintenance-free and will operate for decades at a time
•solar energy systems do not contribute to noise pollution
However, if you are going to make the best decision about whether or not you want to switch your home over to solar energy, you are always wise to consider the disadvantages as well. The following is a list of what is considered to be the biggest disadvantages of solar energy homes:
Cost Factors are the most common deterrent - the primary disadvantage for most people is the amount of the initial investment necessary to purchasing and installing one of these systems so you can have a solar energy home. Some solar energy arrays cost $25,000 or more, depending on the size of the home and annual consumption averages. Despite the desire to power one’s home by employing solar energy, some individuals or families just don’t have the budget and resources to afford it. Additionally, it can cost you more to purchase and install a solar power system compared to what other technologies employing fossil fuels would cost.
Significant space is required for installation – another one of the major drawbacks to solar energy homes is the amount of area that is required to set the system up. You can solve this issue by mounting solar panels to your roof, but that will detract from your roof’s aesthetics. Living in densely overpopulated cities carries with it the issue of insufficient space for installation. Either there isn’t sufficient space to install the system or the costs to create it are horrendous.
Wasted energy is common – a large amount of energy is typically wasted when living in solar energy homes. The energy needs to be converted into Alternating Current (AC) but PV cells can only produce Direct Current (DC). The conversion factor from DC to AC is created by inverters hooked to the grid which usually results in an energy loss factor of between 4% and 12%.
Ineffectiveness during night time – energy from the sun can only be generated during daylight hours so days that are overcast and rainy will witness a significant drop in the efficiency level of solar energy homes. PV cells can be totally ineffective when the sun doesn’t shine. Basically, this means that that huge investment referred to as a solar energy array can’t be used during night time hours.
Current pollution levels are an indirect solar energy disadvantage – ironically, the pollution generated from the use of fossil fuels pollute the atmosphere and serves as a huge disadvantage creating solar energy homes. The heat and light from the sun are dramatically reduced in smoggier areas because it reduces efficiency levels of a solar panel’s wattage output.
