28 Feb The Pros And Cons Of Installing Solar Panels At Your Home
Are you fed up with all the high electricity bills and you are looking for an alternative source of energy? Have you ever considered installing solar panels? Nowadays, more and more people invest in solar systems in their homes.
Are they a smart choice?
There are many advantages and disadvantages to consider. Therefore, before making a decision, it is important to take both pros and cons into consideration.
Read on and decide for yourself.
The Pros:
- They reduce electricity bills
If you install solar panels, they could save you between 50% and 75% of your electricity bill. Thus, you will save money that you could use for other household expenses.
- They are safe for the environment
The financial benefit is not the only reason why you should install solar panels. They are also sustainable and eco-friendly. Unlike the other energy sources, the solar system doesn’t produce any gases that can harm the environment and human’s health.
- The solar power is infinite
The power of the sun is an unlimited, and abundant energy source. It is renewable and it’s very beneficial in the long term.
- They are easy to take care of
The occasional rain cleans the dust from the solar panels, so they don’t require too much attention. They need to be cleaned when there is snow in winter or fallen leaves in autumn. The only thing that needs replacement is the central (string) inverters. You will need to replace them after 12 to 15 years.
- They are silent
The other sources that provide clean energy are very noisy and irritating to hear. For instance, wind turbines produce sound at 43 decibels, while air conditioners run at around 50 decibels. Not to mention hydroelectric generators which are very loud and it’s intolerable to live near them. Contrary to them, solar panels are silent and don’t disrupt anyone.
- They are long-lasting
The elements of solar panels last a long time. Most of the solar systems come with a 25-year warranty. Even the inverter that you have to change after 12 years has a warranty that runs up to 10-15 years.
The Cons:
- The installation and maintenance are expensive
Although solar power is becoming more affordable during the past few years, not all people can afford installing solar panels. The initial cost for installation is high, and it takes around 7 years for the system to pay itself off. The solar system needs maintenance, as well.
- The credit scores for loans are high
There are many options for financing your solar systems such as credits, solar loans, or property-assessed clean energy (PACE) financing options. The problem with these options is that the credit scores are very high. If you have poor credit, it will also be difficult to get a loan. Unlike the other loans, the PACE options take into consideration your home and not your credit score. Unfortunately, these options are not available everywhere.
- They require certain conditions
Before installing a solar system, consider the type of your roof. It is difficult to install solar panels on older roofs with slate tiles. Besides that, the roof or the land must be suitable for placing the panels. It has to be exposed on direct sunshine and to have enough free space for the system to be placed.
- Intermittence
When there is no sun, or it’s cloudy, the solar panels don’t produce power. If you like to prevent loss of electricity or shortfall in production, the solar system must be connected to a backup source (a battery or a grid.)
Are Solar Panels The Right Choice For You?
Solar panels harness the sun’s radiation, and they are a renewable and efficient source of clean energy. They will reduce your expenses and won’t harm the environment. However, they could also be expensive and require certain conditions.
So, before installing solar panels, take all these pros and cons into consideration and decide whether they are the right option for your home.
