What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy

Installing a solar panel system is a great move, given the shift towards sustainable energy in the last few years. Also, it is a cheaper option once you get to understand it fully, although there are many details to go over when choosing this option. You must have done your share of solar surveys, watched those ads about how solar energy is better for you. Yet, to be fully convinced about it needs proper pros and cons approach.

Below are some of the pros and cons of solar energy:

While solar is a great option, keeping in mind what it entails is a good start. Some common benefits and drawbacks that come with solar installation are that while it gives you a lower electricity bill but it doesn’t necessarily work for every roof type. Another point is that while it improves your home value, it’s not entirely ideal when you’re about to move. A reduced carbon footprint comes with expensive panels and lower electricity costs mean lower savings.

Even as there are many benefits of solar energy, some top important ones to bear in mind are as follows:

1. Reduces or eliminates your electric bills

With an installed solar panel at your home, your electricity generation becomes less and reduces your monthly electric bill. Also, a solar panel’s lifespan is around 25–35 years which means that your electricity costs are lower for decades by going solar.

2. Your home value increases

It is a hidden market insight that the value of your home increases after solar is installed. So, effectively you are in a profitable position with solar even with a little extra cost.

3. Helps you manage rising energy costs

Higher electricity bills lead to anxiety in homeowners as it is mostly out of their control. And while the cost of solar has decreased with time, the cost of electricity has risen significantly. So going solar helps you gain some control over your electricity spending and manage costs.

4. Reduces carbon emissions

Solar is a clean, renewable source of energy that can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions and lower our carbon footprint on nature. Unlike traditional fossil fuels like coal and oil, solar energy does not lead directly to pollution.

So then what are the disadvantages of going solar?

Below are some things to keep in mind when considering solar:

1. Solar panels don’t work for every type of roof

Some roofing materials can be difficult for solar installers to work with, making it difficult for solar to be installed. Also, many homes and apartments have skylights or other rooftop additions like roof decks that can make the solar installation process difficult or costly.

2. It isn’t beneficial if you’re about to move

While it is a great financial investment, if you’re thinking of moving, then the investment might not get you anything in return except costly installations.

3. Lower your electricity costs, lower your solar savings

This means that if you have a sizable electricity bill, then going solar makes sense as it will lead to higher savings. But if your electricity bill is small, to begin with, then the savings are lower too.

How a solar energy system can increase profits for your business

Business owners spend a lot of energy trying to bring down costs and therefore be as profitable as possible while also being able to maintain a certain perception in the market. While most cost-cutting measures also eat into a company’s image as being great for the environment, the market and for the employees, there’s one area where cost-cutting works along with a business owner’s endeavor to improve company perception. Solar energy systems are a gift from the heavens (literally) and can work wonders in transforming how a business works and is perceived.

Solar panels are only getting cheaper, while the magnitude of sunlight in a given region remains virtually constant every year. This simple fact alone means giant savings for anyone who embraces solar installations! The money you save indirectly equates to the money you earn.

Let’s go a bit deeper and explore how solar energy systems can make a business more profitable:

Economies of scale:

As humanity embraces solar panels to power their needs, procurement, installation, and maintenance costs of solar installations reduce year on year. Constant innovation and optimization also bring the expertise level of labor down, further reducing costs.

Unlimited energy:

The cost of installing a solar energy system is a one-time expenditure that ‘pays for itself’ in the long run. Once installed, a system with no moving parts requires little to no maintenance. Meanwhile, free sunlight means next to zero spends on energy bills. Studies consistently demonstrate that in the long term, many businesses save more on energy bills than they paid for while installing a solar energy system.

Government schemes:

When you opt for solar, you put less strain on the existing power grid. This is one of the reasons why governments around the world encourage establishments to go solar by offering attractive schemes and subsidies which ultimately result in more savings for the business.

Reallocated funds:

By enjoying savings on energy bills, a business can allocate the saved funds towards other aspects of the business like labor and machinery expansion, research and development, and business development. This, in turn, creates an additional revenue stream for the business, delivering better ROI.

Perception:

Going green comes with another indirect perk. After a solar installation, businesses can market themselves as a green, sustainable company that further adds to their market appeal. This can help lure additional business from giant companies already looking for ways to reduce their overall carbon footprint.

A solar energy system may seem like an expenditure at first, but quickly aces over traditional fossil fuel-based solutions for a business. Solar is here to stay and the best part about it is that everyone can have a piece of the pie.