Solar Energy Advantages and Disadvantages
Electricity is essential to every household. But what happens to those households in remote areas where electrification on the grid is not possible? The off grid home solar power system becomes very important in providing electricity in such homes. It is a stand-alone photovoltaic system which offers a cost-effective means of delivering a facility for lighting and appliances in the rural homes. Since it is cost-effective, all the households can then be able to install it. Let us first look at the various types of solar power system before addressing the advantages and disadvantages of solar power system.
Types of Home Solar Power Systems For Your Home
There are various types of solar systems which can be used to generatre electricity in remote households. Some of these include:
- Grid-tied PV Battery Backup
This type of solar system is connected to the traditional utility then battery backup system is added. Addition of the battery enables it to balance between the production and the demand of and also protects it from the power outages. Since the solar electric output relies mostly on the sunlight, the batteries can then store the excess sunlight when it is abundant then be used later when there is a shortfall. It is virtually similar as the off-grid PV only system only that the inverter will also offer an edge to the grid. However, it is as twice expensive as the grid-tied PV only system.
- Grid-tied, PV Only
It consists of the cords, panels, and the grid-tie inverter. This type of solar system is directly linked to the household and the traditional electric convenience grid. It enables the household owners to get power from either the utility grid or the home electrical system. When you have a limited budget, this is the best type of system to settle for since it is not expensive. It is beneficial to everyone.
- Off-grid Solar PV Systems
When it comes to the off-grid residential power system, there is no connection to the traditional electric power grid. That means that batteries are essential to balance times of excess demand and excess production. However, an electric generator or wind turbines are usually added to protect against shortfalls when there is under output from the solar systems, and the batteries are discharged. The extra you enhance to its utilities, the more complex this system becomes since preservation will go up.
Advantages of Solar Energy
Every source of energy has merits and demerits. The following are the advantages of using solar energy:
- Solar Energy is Environment Friendly
No pollution is caused by the harnessing of solar energy. Even though, there are some emissions which come with the way the systems are manufactured, transported and installed. The power system overall reduces the dependence on the non-renewable sources of energy.
- Renewable Sources
This means solar energy cannot be exhausted as compared to non-renewable sources. As long as the suns lives, we will always have access to the solar power.
- Availability
The solar energy is found worldwide. It’s not only the states which are close to the equator which can utilize the power energy but all places around the world.
- Sustainable
Being sustainable sources means that they meet the requirements of the current without conceding the capability of the forthcoming generations for them to meet their wants. In short, there is no way the power energy can be over-consumed.
- Silent Sources of Energy
There is no noise associated with most applications of the solar power. As compared to certain green-techs such as turbines, photovoltaics does not produce any sound.
- Low Maintenance
Most residential solar panels only require cleaning occasionally. Therefore, they do not need a lot of maintenance. Many manufacturers ship over 20-year warranties with the solar panels.
- Support from the Government
The governments provide financial assistance to fix the solar panels. That means the current costs of the solar panels are a smaller amount as compared to how they used to be. Some states even cut the price of the photovoltaic systems up to 50%.
- The Solar Energy has Many Purposes
The power energy can be used in numerous applications such as power satellites in space, produce power in areas which has absence of grid connection and purifying water in some areas in Africa. With the introduction of the malleable thin-film solar cells, solar energy is incorporated into the building integrated photovoltaics.
Disadvantages of Solar Energy
- The Energy Storage is Costly
Some power storage systems, for example, batteries which help to stabilize the load and demand of the energy are costly to acquire.
- Irregular Energy Source
The sunlight is not accessible at all times. For example, at night and in the morning, the sunlight is limited. That means that predicting overcast days can be very hard. Solar energy cannot be considered as our initial choice when it comes to gathering the base load power demand.
- Requires Some Space
To be effective in producing electricity, solar energy installation requires enough space. Therefore, in areas where there is shortage space or it too expensive, it can be a disadvantage. Consequently, you need a huge roof to make more power.
- It Can be Confusing and Expensive to Get Started
Although the solar energy is sustainable once it is set up, the cost of acquiring the solar panels is costly, and even installation requires a lot of money.
- Associated with Some Pollution
One of the advantages of solar energy is that it reduces pollution. However, in the process, it creates other types of pollution through the process cell production, the transportation of solar panels, the usage of the electricity to power your tools and finally the disposal of the lead-acid batteries.
Choosing Right Home Solar System
For you to determine which type of system is suitable for you, it is important for you to keep in mind that the types of home solar systems can be made in an almost unlimited amount of ways. That means that you will not be fixed with the first one that you get.
You might start with the grid-tied PV only then later add some batteries till you get full backup. When you are confident that it will meet all your requirements, you disconnect it from the grid.
Or rather start with a small grid-tied PV only systems then add an electric generator or turbines. When you are comfortable maintaining them, you can decide to throw in battery backup and later disconnect from the grid.
All that said, the advantages of the solar energy are much more than its disadvantages. The solar energy benefits both people and the environment. You only need to know the best type of home solar electric system suitable for your needs to get started.
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