Every power source has its advantages and disadvantages – solar power is not different in that regard.
Solar energy can be used and is used for a lot of different things, including electricity, central heating, hot water, and cooking. In some areas solar energy can be used to produce salt and also for desalinating sea water to make potable water. Solar energy has its origins in the sun and is created from the sun’s rays. This energy source is known to be very environmentally friendly. One disadvantage, however, is the fact that the sun rays are quite dilute when they enter the earth’s atmosphere which makes it more difficult to harness enough power for some processes.
The primary advantage of solar energy is the fact that it is clean. The sun’s rays are all that is required to produce electricity There is no need to use fossil fuels to produce electricity or heat. All you need is a solar energy collector or solar power panels in order to collect solar energy.
Solar energy is also less expensive than electric heating. By just using solar energy you can save a lot of money as compared to other heating sources. In return you will have lower electric bills and it also means that you don’t have to maintain a heater. If you produce enough energy through solar panels you can also sell some of that power back to the electric company which can end up as a source of income rather than an expense.
If you live in a remote area where there are no power lines, then solar energy can be the solution to this problem. Solar energy is a great alternative because it can provides you with anything from heating water, electricity, to cooking.
Where fresh, potable water is scarce, solar energy can be used for desalination of sea water. Here, solar energy evaporates brine and leaves the salt crystals in the bottom of the basin. The water in turn condenses back in another basin where it can be used as drinking water.
The main disadvantage of solar energy is the fact that you have to have a lot of solar collectors installed around your house in order to create enough power for use. Solar energy may be very cheap but the solar collectors can be relatively expensive and also require regular maintenance in order to work properly and efficiently. Before deciding on solar energy use, it is important to determine you return on investment so you will know whether or not solar power is a viable option.
Another disadvantage is that you need the sun rays to make use of solar energy. If you are live in a place where there is not much sun light then this could be a problem. In other areas, the sun rays are frequently covered with clouds which makes solar energy collectors less efficient. You should determine if the sunshine in your area is abundant enough to create solar power for most of the year. Of course if you live in desert areas like New Mexico or Arizona, the sun produces a lot of sunshine and is ideal for collecting solar energy.
Finally, the sun only shines during the day. Therefore if you need electricity or hot water during the night, like many of us do, this can be a problem. You will need a backup system like the ‘old’ utility grid or you will need to store the electricity in batteries for later use..
Solar energy is a very clean and an alternative to conventional heating and electrical systems. Although this is true it is also good to mention the disadvantages of solar energy so you will make the right choice in your decision of you are considering using solar energy.
This happens since as the energy deficiency rises, the companies producing the solar power systems are going to start rising their prices. Although many people obtain more advantages from the solar energy, recognizing the disadvantages is important also.
All of this work must proceed so that solar power also becomes a more economical source of energy, Chu said after strolling through the labs and chatting with top researchers. …. “It’s all about competitive advantage,” Spigarelli said. “ What can we do in this region that builds on our strengths?” National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The Golden, Colo., facility calls itself the “nation’s primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research anddevelopment."
And do not forget biggest of advantages of solar energy, its totally free energy and cost of power you produce with your solar power for homes will not rise in future. Solar Power for Homes: What are Advantages of Solar Energy?.
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