Solar energy is gaining popularity among homeowners all around the world as an efficient electricity source and sustainable development. It certainly is a better idea than relying on power grids. The complete shift toward renewable energy, like solar, can be an end to carbon emissions which can end global warming. However, to completely rely on something its disadvantages must be clearly stated. In this article let’s learn about solar energy and its disadvantages.
What is Solar Energy and how does it work?
Let’s understand what solar energy is and how it works before we go into the details of its disadvantages. Solar energy is a renewable energy form which means it is inexhaustible and free of cost. It is generated from the electromagnetic radiation from the sun. The heat and electricity generated by the solar panel dallas tx are completely sustainable and free of carbon emissions. This means that solar energy does not affect the environment negatively. The only environmental impact it has is the consumption of space for large panel plants which leads to loss of habitat on farms.
However, let’s understand the production of solar energy. There are three ways of solar production as follows
Photovoltaic cells/Photovoltaic Solar energy:
This type of solar energy production is used to convert solar directly into electricity with the help of the “photoelectric effect”. The photoelectric effect acts as an absorption medium for certain materials absorbing “photons” and “electrons” helping them to produce electrical current.
Solar Thermal Collectors/Solar Thermal Energy:
In this method of solar energy production, panels or mirrors are used which act as a medium for sunlight’s absorption. It concentrates the heat and transfers the state to liquid. Furthermore, this liquid is conducted and channeled through the tubes and pipes for buildings, and plants, and stored for further production.
Passive Solar Energy:
This method does not convert or channel solar energy. It directly uses sunlight for purposes like heating. Bioclimatic architecture techniques are used to get the direct advantage of sunlight.
Now that we have the basic knowledge about Solar energy and its operation, let’s discuss its disadvantages.
The two main disadvantages of solar energy:
Since solar is green, renewable energy does not have a lot of disadvantages. However, we were able to outline two very important factors that were considered drawbacks of solar energy by users. The first factor for solar energy being a drawback is Intermittent or irregular supply of energy. The second drawback is the high initial investment. Let’s understand these disadvantages a little more and see how SolarSystemDallas helps in trying to eradicate these problems.
Intermittent energy:
Solar energy is completely dependent on sunlight. Cloudy days are what panels are scared of. The dependency on sun rays and their strength is counted as a major disadvantage. There are days across the States where there’s no sun. Stormy cloudy weather that covers the sky all along creates a hindrance to solar energy’s production. The power gets disconnected as soon as it loses rays. Under this factor also falls the efficiency factors of solar energy. Most commercial solar panels have around 18-20% efficiency, some companies like SolarSystemDallas take the efficiency percentage to a higher level to about 35-40%. However, this means that for every 1000 watts of sunlight energy falling in the panel, 200 watts of electrical energy is produced. This means cloudy days with less sunlight give out even less energy. Places with cloudy atmospheres around the year have their efficiency rate dropped by 80-90%. This is called irradiance, a direct measure of the sun’s energy on solar panels and its variance according to the location.
A solution to this problem provided by SolarSystemDallas is the use of efficient batteries that can store the energy gained in peak sun hours.
High Initial Investment:
Another major drawback of solar energy reviewed by many homeowners is its high investment. Solar panels are in themselves very expensive and to get the whole package, batteries, tubes, and other components, you’d also have to run to places. Without the batteries, energy storage would not be possible and each component counts to its own importance. The installation and maintenance of these components is also an expense many homeowners are concerned about. With an investment this huge, a lot of factors need to be taken into. For instance, an investment is managed, another major factor is the location. A complete set of solar panel installation requires a spacious location that assures sunlight access.
However, SolarSystemDallas works on solving these issues for you as effectively as possible. With their payment options, loans, and installments, you won’t need to worry about getting a huge amount all at once. Making a green investment like solar carries a number of advantages itself.