With all the doom and gloom that comes with climate change, and the fact that fossil fuels are literally destroying the planet, saving the environment and fighting climate change seem to be top of the agenda for many.
And while renewable energy sources like solar power are undoubtedly a step in the right direction, the ups and downs of the price of solar energy make it a less than ideal choice for everyone. But is solar energy really that expensive? Let’s take a quick look.
The Pros Of Using Solar Energy
When looking at the pros of using solar energy, we need to start from the beginning and work our way to the end. First off, solar power is completely, 100% reliable – there’s no chance that the sun won’t shine, or that clouds won’t block the rays of the sun, which provide the earth with electricity. This makes solar power perfect for those living in areas where storms and massive electrical outages are commonplace.
It also means that solar power can be relied upon even during times of extreme weather, allowing you to keep your power on and your electronics functioning. Furthermore, because solar power is reliable, you can rest assured that your power supply will never run out, meaning you’ll never run out of electricity even if the sun doesn’t shine, or clouds block the sun’s rays.
The next advantage of using solar power is that it’s incredibly, incredibly convenient. It would be great if we could all get along without using any electricity, but that probably won’t happen. Reliable power sources like solar power mean that you can plan your day around using electricity, and not worry about whether or not your battery will last, or if you’ll have enough power to make it to the end of the day. Knowing when the sun will rise and set allows you to plan your day accordingly, whether you need to get something done before the sun comes up, or you need to keep the lights on for the entire night. For those who live in constant darkness thanks to a lack of sunlight, solar power also allows you to bring light into your life – whether it’s electric light or natural light from outside through a window.
The Cons Of Using Solar Energy
While there are many advantages to using solar energy, it doesn’t mean that this form of power is without its disadvantages. For starters, as we discussed above, the sun doesn’t always shine, so you’ll need to make sure that you have enough solar panels to produce enough electricity to meet your needs. Furthermore, because the sun doesn’t always shine, you’ll need to make sure that you have enough electricity stored to meet your needs in case the sun doesn’t shine. Finally, the environment is a big con with solar energy. While most people think about the damaging effect that climate change will have on the environment, they don’t normally think about how much electricity they’re generating when using solar power. Each watt of electricity that you generate using solar power is a watt that will be missing from the grid. This means that more electricity is being generated than is being used, which means that less electricity will be available for everyone else.
The Overall Winner In The Comparison
Taking everything into consideration, we can conclude that while there are many advantages to using solar energy, it doesn’t come without its downsides. If you’re looking for a clean, renewable energy source that is both reliable and 100% environmentally friendly, it’s best to look towards the sun, but don’t expect it to provide all the energy that you need – you’ll need to store some of it in batteries for later use. Batteries are a necessary evil in this case, but they do have their advantages – mainly that you don’t have to worry about the sun not shining, or clouds blocking the sun, which provides you with electricity.
We can also conclude that because solar energy is both reliable and environmentally friendly, you’ll never have to worry about running out of electricity again. This makes it perfect for areas where storms and blackouts are common. You won’t simply save the environment by going green, you’ll also ensure that you’re never left without power again – something that could become tiresome in a place where electricity is hard to come by.
How Does Solar Energy Compare To Other Forms Of Power?
In order to determine how much cheaper solar energy is than traditional forms of power, we need to look at the overall costs associated with producing and storing it. The first cost that we need to consider is the cost of the solar panels themselves. These can range from a couple hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the size and type of panel that you get. Furthermore, the efficiency of the solar panel is a key factor in determining how cheaply it can produce electricity. The more efficient the panel, the cheaper it will be in comparison to traditional energy sources. Finally, how much electricity can you generate with your solar panel? The answer to this question depends on many factors, but you can expect to generate anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand watts of electricity. At 50 cents per kwh, this can add up to a significant cost savings if you’re generating sufficient electricity.
The Bottom Line
Overall, while solar energy is completely, 100% reliable and environmentally friendly, it doesn’t come without its downsides. If you’re looking for a clean, renewable energy source, it’s best to look towards the sun, but don’t expect it to provide all the energy that you need – you’ll need to store some of it in batteries for later use. If you meet the right conditions, though, solar energy can be amazingly cheap and more than capable of powering your home.