2. What are the pros and cons, of using solar energy for our homes?

Question

,,,,,,,,and would you consider installing solar energy components in your house?

Answer 1

I would address your question by saying that yes, I would certainly install it if I owned a home that I intended to stay in for at least 10 years. I think it takes a while before you make the money back on the installation investment. I wish I had it... maybe my next house!


Solar Energy Advantages
Saves you money
After the initial investment has been recovered, the energy from the sun is practically FREE.
The recovery/ payback period for this investment can be very short depending on how much electricity your household uses.
Financial incentives are available form the government that will reduce your cost. (visit www.dsireusa.org to find out about incentives available in the state you live in!).
If your system produces more energy than you use, your utility company can buy it from you, building up a credit on your account! This nifty little scheme is called "net-metering".


It will save you money on your electricity bill if you have one at all.
Solar energy does not require any fuel.
It's not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and is therefore not subjected to the ever-increasing price of gasoline.
The savings are immediate and for many years to come.
The use of solar energy indirectly reduces health costs.
Environmentally friendly
Solar Energy is clean, renewable (unlike gas, oil and coal) and sustainable, helping to protect our environment.
It does not pollute our air by releasing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide or mercury into the atmosphere like many traditional forms of electrical generation does.
Therefore Solar Energy does not contribute to global warming, acid rain or smog.
It actively contributes to the decrease of harmful green house gas emissions.
It's generated where it is needed.
By not using any fuel, Solar Energy does not contribute to the cost and problems of the recovery and transportation of fuel or the storage of radioactive waste.
Independent/ semi-independent
Solar Energy can be utilized to offset utility-supplied energy consumption. It does not only reduce your electricity bill, but will also continue to supply your home/ business with electricity in the event of a power outage.
A Solar Energy system can operate entirely independently, not requiring a connection to a power or gas grid at all. Systems can therefore be installed in remote locations (like holiday log cabins), making it more practical and cost-effective than the supply of utility electricity to a new site.
The use of Solar Energy reduces our dependence on foreign and/or centralized sources of energy, influenced by natural disasters or international events and so contributes to a sustainable future.
Solar Energy supports local job and wealth creation, fuelling local economies.
Low/ no maintenance


Solar Energy systems are virtually maintenance free and will last for decades.
Once installed, there are no recurring costs.
They operate silently, have no moving parts, do not release offensive smells and do not require you to add any fuel.
More solar panels can easily be added in the future when your family's needs grow.



More about Solar energy advantages disadvantages

Solar Energy Disadvantages

The initial cost is the main disadvantage of installing a solar energy system, largely because of the high cost of the semi-conducting materials used in building one.
The cost of solar energy is also high compared to non-renewable utility-supplied electricity. As energy shortages are becoming more common, solar energy is becoming more price-competitive.
Solar panels require quite a large area for installation to achieve a good level of efficiency.

The efficiency of the system also relies on the location of the sun, although this problem can be overcome with the installation of certain components.
The production of solar energy is influenced by the presence of clouds or pollution in the air.
Similarly, no solar energy will be produced during nighttime although a battery backup system and/or net metering will solve this problem. See www.dsireusa.org for details on how net metering allows you to save electricity and money.
As far as solar powered cars go - their slower speed might not appeal to everyone caught up in today's rat race.


As you can see there are many Solar Energy Advantages
Disadvantages can be found in any product or system, but it
is important to know that they can be managed in this case.

Answer 2

Solar energy is expensive to install and doesn't work in the winter. It may take many years for an installation to recoup the investment. It is never a complete alternative to being on the grid.

Solar electric is almost always a waste of money unless you can't get onto the grid.. Solar water heating is a much better idea as it is cheaper, captures more energy and pays back in a sensible timeframe.

However, as fuel prices rise as they must as the oil becomes more scarce, it will repay the investment quicker.

Answer 3

Its not a simple question, Solar is expensive to set up, return on investment may take awhile. and depending on where you live some of the solar energy technologies may not be effecient, however combining several technologies ie Solar photovoltaic Cell, and solar cells to heat water, plus the use of other "soft energy" sources " Geothermal, and wind" could help almost everybody in some way.

FOr the rote answer that a teacher would ask.

Pros - Its clean energy,
Cons - Its expensive, not really efficient,

Answer 4

The real question is, even if solar power generation is perfected, why is it advantageous to have it installed at home instead of at a solar power generation facillity, where economy of scale would be expected?

Pro: Many people like to be independent and not be reliant on outside suppliers. Good for remote places where power transmission could be problematic

Con: Likely poorer economic performance, including maintenance costs.

Would I consider it? Only if I'm living in a remote place where it becomes an advantage. Otherwise, It's not likely I'm going to get a return on my investment on solar power equipment for years, perhaps decades.

Answer 5

Pros are independence from the power grid (if you also have batteries) and not being subject to rising energy prices.

Cons are high cost and low power, especially at night or on cloudy, winter days.

I did look at installing solar panels on the roof of my house, but it was going to cost me tens of thousands of dollars and would only have reduced my monthly electric bill about $10. And that did not include batteries, just supplementing my power on sunny days.

Answer 6

How do solar panel effect the value of your house. Will the taxes go up?
When you have an electrical issue who do you call.
What happens when you need a new roof?
How does it work in the winter?

Answer 7

Pros- 1.safe green energy
2.will help us brake away from fossil fuel
3. will keep your light bill affordable
4. no system purchase
5. no installation cost
6. no permit hassles
7. no performance worries
8. no rate increases
9. no risk
10. go to jointhesolution.com/will
for details

Answer 8

ABSOLUTELY! - I would GET SUCH A HIGH by selling the energy BACK to my electric co!
Although, this accessing this type of *renewable* energy would *schtick* ("Pres.W.") in the tusch, but I feel the Bushes need a little pushing back.
Let's all REVOLT and drive Solar-powered cars! That should make everyone upset (including and especially the Iraquis)!

Answer 9

If we converted all of our nuclear plants to wind and solar then the majority of the country would be without power. Solar and wind create incredibly low amounts of power when compared to a nuclear power plant.

Answer 10

Pro--It produces no "green house gases" like Carbon Dioxide.
Con--At present it is very expensive to outfit your house in solar panels.