Why solar energy still not widely used ? Any restrictions or drawbacks using solar energy ?

Answer 1

It costs more in two ways:

1) it costs more per kilowatt-hour to produce, on average, given the capital cost and

2) the energy is effectively paid for with capital cost rather than gradually over years like normal utility power. You can take out loans, but then you get hit with interest.

Someday it will be cheaper than grid power, but probably ten years or more.

(Let me also add that some of hte big oil companies own solar companies, e.g. BP Solar. They're slowly giving up on oil and determined to monopolize the next energy source...)

Answer 2

Yes, there's one big restriction. Solar panels and good batteries are very expensive. It might be good to supplement conventional electricity, but it is too expensive to replace the conventional power grid at this time. It is very useful in some instances, however. Isolated weather stations, valve operating stations (for oil field pipelines and such), and camping are some examples of where solar energy is really useful. Other drawbacks to solar panels are that they do not provide as much power in the winter, and they are also fragile. Theoretically, you could keep the panels working long enough to pay for themselves, but that's much harder to actually do than it is to say. If a small opaque object lands on a panel not only can the panel directly break, but the partial shade on that part of the panel (if the sun is out) can damage the panel internally. And if there's a storm, there's always the risk that flying objects could take out your array.

Answer 3

There are a number of drawbacks.
The first one is that solar energy can be used only when the sun is there. Then it is quite expensive. And today's solar cell don't convert all the energy.

Answer 4

Mainly because oil and gas have been so cheap for so long. Thats changing now, and is only going to get worse so the economics of solar power are improving.

Of course, power has to be stored which is an issue, and the imperative switches from mass generation in big power stations and then transmission (which loses about 1/3 of the generated power) to local generation which is far more efficient.

A sign of the changing times is that the UKs biggest electrical retailer will now install solar systems for you.

Answer 5

It's expensive. A solar power plant costs about US$10 per watt: $5 for the solar cells, $4 for battery plant, and about $1 for inverter and control equipment. There are 4000 hours of daylight per year, but since solar panels don't move with the sun, you can only get 2000 watt-hours per year per watt of installed solar plant. (And that's assuming that it is never cloudy.) At current prices (asssuming you have access to mains power), that much power is worth about US$0.25. Bottom line: you're better off leaving your money in a savings account. (If the cost could be lowered to a dollar a watt, then it would be a nice deal.)
There are, however, a number of subsidies available in various areas for solar power installations, and those may make it at least marginally economic to use.

Answer 6

Two technical reasons: First, sunlight is diffuse, and so difficult to collect in sufficient quantity to interest big energy companies, and of course, it is unreliable because of cloud cover and nightfall.

Then there's the economic issues. Solar electric panels are expensive, and break down after a few years.

Answer 7

Yeah night. The solar panels just don't provide enough energy at this time nor is it a reliable energy source.

Answer 8

Create Home Solar Power : http://SolarPower.duebq.com/?DNv

Answer 9

Well it looks expensive when you see the price tag. A typical home unit can cost more than $10,000. It would take 4-7 years for it to pay for itself. But then after the 4-7 years it's free power.

Also, most Home Owners Unions don't allow them. Some fat and ugly people think they lower property values for the neighborhood. Imagine that. Old fat ugly people will happily send other peoples children to war for oil, but will cry foul and sue if you try to reduce your own dependence on the stuff.

Answer 10

Your other answers were restricted to electricity generation which is expensive. However, solar water heating (directly) will save you money on your electric bill.