Are Installing Solar Panels Worth It?
Thinking about getting solar panels on your roof? Here are the pros and cons of installing panels on your roof.
Installing solar panels is a serious question many homeowners have when looking to save money on their homes. With the strong push to move away from natural gases and standard electricity, it’s a heavy question in many homeowners’ minds. Is installing solar panels worth their time, effort, and money?
Here is a small guide to the pros and cons of installing solar panels on your roof!
Pros
It’s no surprise that the power from the sun is immense. One hour of solar energy could meet the global energy needs for one whole year. Unfortunately, we cannot gather all of the energy from the sun. Although, we are able to harness some of that power for our own personal use. The sun is a renewable energy source. It can be used in all parts of the world, every day! There is no way that we can run out of solar energy, unlike that of natural gas. As long as there is the sun in the sky, we will have the energy to use at our disposal.
With the sun being a renewable energy source, this helps reduce your electricity bills! By installing solar panels, you’ll notice that your energy bills will slowly start to decline. You’re supplying your own energy source. This differs from purchasing energy from an energy company, depending on where you live. In some cases, you can even be paid for your energy! If you generate more energy than you consume, the Smart Export Guarantee will pay you for your surplus energy.
You can do so much more with solar panels than just collecting energy. You can also produce heat! Solar energy can easily be used to collect energy in areas far off the energy grid as well as distill water and provide heat to homes. You can also integrate them into the materials of the house! Some companies have produced transparent solar energy windows as well.
Solar panels do not require a lot of maintenance! The only car you need for your solar panels is to keep them relatively clean. Of course, there will be natural dirt build-up and grime from the rain, but a quick hose down a couple of times a year is all you need! Depending on where you get your solar panels from, many manufacturers have a 20–25-year warranty. Without any moving parts, there is no wear and tear! The inverter will only need to be charged every 5-10 years. That is because it is the only constantly working part. You may also need to replace cables every few years, but that is just to maintain maximum efficiency.
Cons
The biggest downside to getting solar panels is that the initial cost of installation is pretty high. These installation fees include the solar panels, inverter, batteries, wiring, and of course, the installation. While technology is constantly changing, prices are still high. Over time, it is hoped that the installation prices will decrease.
It is no surprise that solar panels are weather-dependent. You will need sunny days for solar panels to properly charge and convert energy for your home. If you have long periods of cloudy and rainy days, you can expect your solar panels to lose efficiency. There is also the issue that solar panels cannot collect solar energy at night. If you’re looking for an energy alternative that requires water heating solutions at night or during the winter, then you might want to consider thermodynamic panels.
In order for solar energy to be used properly, it needs to be used right away or stored in large batteries. The batteries that are often used in off-the-grid systems are charged during the day and used at night. These are perfect for when the weather is constantly cloudy and rainy. The biggest downside to these batteries; they are incredibly expensive. Unless you are connected to an energy grid, storing and using your solar energy can end up being very expensive.
Lastly, unless you have a large roof or a spacious yard, you won’t be able to have a lot of energy panels. The more solar energy you want to collect, the more panels you will need. Solar panels require a lot of space and unfortunately, not a lot of roofs have the space to provide it. If you have a yard, you can always install them in your yard to help collect more power. If you don’t have the space, you can always opt for fewer panels.
Make the Transition today!
Are you ready to make the green energy transition? Are you ready to start harnessing the power of the sun for yourself? With Sunshop Solar Company, we can help provide you with all of the necessary information needed to provide the best possible solution for your solar energy needs! Contact us today to get started!
