When it comes to solar power, you’ve most likely heard it all: that it’s expensive, ineffective, or just too good to be true. However, more solar panels are being installed on businesses and homes than ever before. In fact, according to research, 46% of US homeowners are considering switching to solar. Even so, thousands of people are still on the fence about solar energy and its reliability. That’s why today we’re going to talk about the pros and cons of solar power and figure out if it’s the right choice for you.
The Pros of Solar Power
It’s no mystery why solar energy is becoming more and more popular with each passing day. From its effectiveness to its ability to reduce your electricity bills, solar power has a lot of benefits. Let’s check them out!
Solar Power is Effective
Even though some might argue that solar power is unreliable and is unable to cover a household’s consumption, the numbers state otherwise. More specifically, there are 47 gigawatts of total solar energy capacity in the US nationwide, which is more than enough to cover the 6% of households that already use solar panels. So, it’s safe to say that solar power is a reliable technology and that it’s only a matter of time until more households make the switch.
Solar is More Affordable Than Ever
What was once an expensive technology has now become more affordable than ever. Why is that the case? Simply put, there are a variety of financial aids, such as state policies and tax rebates, that can help people embrace solar energy. Not only that but financing options and no-money-down leasing make solar panels more accessible than ever, regardless of one’s budget.
Solar Power Can Reduce the Electricity Bill
By switching to solar energy, you can drastically reduce your electricity bill. That’s because you won’t rely on the national electrical grid, which is prone to price fluctuations. Instead, you will generate as much energy as you want and use it however you want. Additionally, you can also receive payments for the surplus electricity that you send back to the grid through Net Metering or similar programs.
The Cons of Solar Power
While solar power has some attractive advantages, it also has a few noteworthy cons. And although they shouldn’t be deal breakers for most homeowners, they are still being considered.
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Solar Power is Weather Dependent
It’s important to mention that while your solar panels can still collect electricity during rainy and cloudy days, their efficiency drops significantly. As a matter of fact, solar panels are dependent on sunlight to effectively gather solar power. Therefore, a couple of rainy, cloudy days can have a noticeable effect on your solar energy system. Similarly, solar power can’t be collected during the night, so you will have to rely on your leftover energy.
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Solar Power Requires a Lot of Space
The amount of solar power that you can produce depends on how many solar panels you have. However, solar panels require a lot of space, and some roofs are simply not big enough to fit as many as you would like. Fortunately, even a smaller number of solar panels can satisfy a home’s energy needs. And if that wasn’t enough, you can also install solar panels in your yard as long as it has access to sunlight.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, it’s important to consider the advantages of solar power before you can actually make the switch. And while solar power has a couple of cons, the pros heavily outweigh them. As a result, it’s clear that solar energy will only become more popular as time goes on.
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