Solar Energy! Alternative Energy! Green Living! These are incredibly hot buzz words in our modern lives – but they are also ways of life for millions of Americans, and people around the world.
Are you tired of high electricity bills? Are you tired of the rising costs of heating your home or office? Are your energy bills killing your monthly budget, or strangling your ability to make profits?
Solar Energy may be right for you. But first, look at the pros and cons of solar energy so that you know what you are getting into.
Here are some of the pros and cons of solar energy, and how these factors should impact your decision to use solar energy at home, or at work.
Versatility – this is one of the largest pros of solar energy. There are nay-sayers who will tell you that solar energy will only work in a few places – and is junk everywhere else. However, the truth could not be further from this fiction. The fact is that solar energy is perfect for nearly every climate and every location – and almost all populated locations around the world get more than enough sun on the average day to make solar energy extremely cost-effective.
Also under versatility, is the fact that there are a number of different solar energy systems – ensuring that nearly everyone can find a solar energy system for their home or office that meets their needs and fits their budget.
To handle electric bills, photovoltaic, or solar electric, systems, are a great choice. These systems are well know, world tested, and have been used by millions of people around the world. Additionally, solar thermal, or solar hot water and heating, systems are used for everything from domestic hot water heating, radiant and space heating and pool/spa heating.
Performance & Efficiency – this is often the most attacked area of solar energy systems. The truth is that the efficiency of solar energy has increased dramatically in recent years, and will continue to do so in the future. Currently, solar electric systems have an efficiency of roughly 20% (with cells on the way with an efficiency of 40%) and solar heating systems are roughly 70 – 80% efficient.
On performance, there are few technologies that perform in as many locations and climates as solar energy systems. Both solar electric and solar thermal systems perform efficiently and cost-effectively in warm southern climates as well as cooler northern climates.
Cost – perhaps the only real con with solar energy systems is the cost. However, there are a number of ways to help cut the initial costs of a solar energy system available to both home and business owners.
These include federal, state and local tax credits. Solar energy rebates and grants. Net metering laws and production credits. and no, or low, interest loans and mortgages for the purchase of solar energy systems.
With a combination of these solar incentives, the government can help pay for more than 50% of the cost to purchase and install your solar energy system. This will dramatically reduce your initial investment, shorten the payback period of your solar energy system and increase your system’s cost-effectiveness dramatically.
There you have the pros and cons of solar energy. Now, you need to evaluate the evidence, your own personal desires and your budget and decide if a solar energy system is the right investment for you.
