Disadvantages of Solar Energy

What are the main disadvantages of solar energy

First, solar energy cannot be generated when the sun is not shining. This is particularly a disadvantage during winter months and nighttime. As a result, most people are investing in battery backup systems that can store power. While these systems are good in preventing blackouts, they add little value to solar energy.

 

Clouds and storms restrict the amount of energy you can produce

The amount of energy you can produce with solar energy is greatly affected by the weather. While a sunny day is ideal, rain clouds and storms reduce your output. Clouds and storms also reduce the amount of sunlight that strikes your solar panels. Fortunately, an occasional storm can be beneficial, as it keeps dust and dirt from collecting on your panels.

 

However, certain cloudy conditions can enhance the amount of solar energy you can produce. High clouds are especially helpful for the production of energy because the ice crystals inside them can magnify the sunlight. In addition, high clouds can allow the light to shine brighter than usual, reducing the amount of heat that can escape from the sun.

 

The season also influences how efficient your solar panels are. Summer is the best time to use solar panels, as there is less cloud cover. However, during winter, UV rays from the sun will damage your solar panels.

 

Cost

The cost of solar energy has fallen below the average going electric rate in some regions. In the state of Hawaii, where there are a lot of sunny days, solar energy is cheaper than the average going electric rate. And while electricity costs are high in some parts of the Southwest, in the U.S., solar energy has dropped below that price, and in some parts of Australia and Germany, the cost has been comparable for over a decade.

 

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that solar energy will reach grid parity without subsidies in the U.S. by 2017, if small incremental improvements are made to current technology. But another research organization, Argonne National Laboratory, predicts that it will not reach grid parity until at least 2025. In the meantime, the cost of solar energy will continue to drop.

 

The cost of solar energy depends on a number of factors, including the size of the solar panel system, component options and configuration, labor costs, and local permit fees. Also, take into account available tax credits and incentives for solar power.

 

Lifespan

The University of Wisconsin-Madison materials engineers recently announced a discovery that has dramatically improved the lifetime of solar energy harvesting devices. Their invention uses sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The new materials have an incredible lifespan of up to 500 hours. That’s much longer than the current record of eight hours.

 

There are several factors that influence the solar panel’s useful life. The first is its efficiency. A good solar panel should have an efficiency of at least 15 percent. Then, it should have a low degradation rate. If it is made of a low-quality material, then the degradation rate will be higher.

 

Another factor that contributes to the lifespan of solar energy is its cost. Solar panels can be quite expensive. Most manufacturers give warranties for twenty to twenty-five years. While this lifespan seems high, it is not impossible to achieve, especially if you’re aiming for 30 years of energy output. As technology improves, solar panels will become more efficient and cheaper.