When most people start weighing up advantages disadvantages of solar energy two of the things they are often really wondering is whether on a costs benefit analysis they are going to come out in front, and whether a solar array is going to make their home look like a failed 5th Grade science project.

Here’s what we’re going to cover today:

1. We’re going to start off with some bullet points of the pro’s and con’s of solar power;
2. Then we’ll look at some of the hang-ups people have about whether they can really benefit from solar power, and why they should overcome them;
3. Finally, we’ll help you decide whether solar power is the right thing for YOU.

Solar energy advantages disadvantages / pro’s and con’s are summarized below.

Advantage 1: Cost Benefits

• After recovering the initial investment, solar power can provide completely free energy for years to come.
• Most governments offer rebates and tax incentives to reduce the installation cost of solar energy.
• Your solar power system makes you free from the market forces concerning supply and demand of fossil fuels and increasing prices.
• If your system creates more power than you use, the utility company will actually pay you!

Advantage 2: Environmental Benefits

• Solar power is a clean renewable energy source, which is great for the environment.
• Save for production of parts, solar power is renewable and does not create air pollution.
• Solar energy does not increase global warming and can help minimize our carbon footprint.

Advantage 3: Independence

• A solar power system that provides sufficient power for your household needs can make you completely independent of grid systems, meaning you will not be effected by shortages, outages or increasing utility prices.
• Solar power is an energy solution for remote locations where more conventional power supplies are not available, and can be made to be portable.
• Solar systems are generally low maintenance and commercially installed solar arrays usually have long warranty periods.

Disadvantages:

• The short term cost of having solar power installed by a professional can be prohibitively high.
• Solar systems that can produce enough energy to meet all household needs tend to require a large number of cells which occupy a lot of space.
• Solar power requires the sun and may not be the best option if your geographical location has very few ‘peak sunlight hours’.

Solar Power Hang Ups

Let’s start with the cost. One of the main disadvantages of solar energy is the fact that it involves a significant initial outlay to have it installed. Most commercial providers of solar power systems involve big bucks. The good news is that many governments offer rebates for solar power conversions, and on average you’ll start seeing returns in about ten or fifteen years which mean that your initial investment starts paying off big time. When considering that most professionally installed systems have at least a 30 year guarantee, there’s a long time to reap the rewards solar power can have on your hip pocket. The other benefit in having the pro’s install your system is that you avoid the headache of installation and its going to look great.

For many of us though, the initial outlay involved just puts commercial solar power out of reach. Does that mean we should give up on the prospect of solar power? Well, there’s always the DIY option. A lot of people have concerns about that too of course, but are they warranted?

Let’s face it, if someone offered to install an environmentally friendly power supply that meant your bills were going to be significantly reduced, and maybe even start earning you a paycheck at the end of each month, would you really hesitate to give them the nod?

Of course you wouldn’t! In today’s economy every cent counts, and utilities are only going to keep increasing in direct cost. Which leads us to the only other real objection people have when considering making the conversion to solar power, can I really do it myself?

There’s a mass of DIY solar power kits available on the market and several top notch solar power guides that only run to about $50 bucks to building and connecting a solar array which can significantly decrease your power bills, and for a fraction of the cost of professional installations. There are serious savings to be made with homemade solar panels, where a whole array might conservatively cost thousands, as opposed to tens of thousands. Even buying complete panels can get expensive, with a single 160watt cell often costing over a thousand clams on its own. But with DIY solar power, clean energy doesn’t have to be expensive.

With the lower installation cost, the returns also start a lot sooner. What this means is that we’re out of objections as to why solar power might not be a great idea. So what other solar energy advantages disadvantages might there be?

One other issue is that generally a large surface area is required to fit enough panels to offer some serious power to your home. Fortunately, we all have roofs, which are the most obvious and aesthetically pleasing location for panels.

One other issue with solar power is of course the fact that it is sun reliant. There are a couple of things to consider here. Firstly, if you are in an area that experiences only minimal ‘ peak sunlight hours’ then this will directly impact the amount of power your array can generate in a given day. The other aspect is that in any event solar power can only produce energy during daylight. The offset to this of course is that most solar arrays incorporate a battery bank, which means you can store any excess power during premium charge periods during the day and utilize it throughout low sunlight hours or night time.

Is Solar Power Right For You?

Having regard to the above, despite the initial outlay and logistical issues which may exist with solar power, the advantages of huge power savings, grid independence, and the feel good notion of being environmentally responsible far outweigh those negatives. Ever stood and watched your electricity meter go backwards? It’s awesome!

It’s not really a question of ‘if’ you can benefit from solar power, it’s more a question of ‘why wouldn’t you?’. The first step is to be educated about what’s involved. Once you are, it’s almost impossible to avoid wanting to convert to solar power.

If you’re wondering what’s involved in setting up a solar power array, check out our solar power tutorial on how to build a solar panel at home. It will give you some real insight into what’s involved, and will help you make the decision about whether DIY or commercial solar power can offer you the most value.