Many people are considering using solar power to provide the power that they need. This is because it is a very environmentally friendly way of generating power. These panels will generate around one thousand watts of energy per hour at midday. That means that if we put solar panels up that covered 100 square miles in the southwest of the USA it would provide enough power for the whole of the United States! However the problem is converting this power into electricity which can be used.
Advantages and disadvantages of Solar Power
The most common method of converting the suns power into electricity is using the photovoltaic system. There are five important advantages that you should consider when you are looking at whether to install solar panels. The first major advantage is that these panels should last around 20 years or longer, in fact many manufacturers offer guarantees of 20 years or longer.
Another fantastic advantage is that these panels are completely silent; you don't have to be bothered by noisy generators. Solar panels also protect your roof from the sun which can create a cooler attic this can be a great advantage during the summer.
After you have paid for installing the solar power system it will gradually start paying for itself, you won't have to pay extortionate electricity bills any longer! Best of all once the panels are installed you don't really need to do anything to them they are almost completely maintenance free!
So there you go, there are some fantastic advantages, so why doesn't everyone switch to using solar power? Well that's because there are also some disadvantages that you must consider, you need to bear in mind both the advantages and disadvantages before deciding whether it is the right option for you.
When you install a solar power system that is part of the house, if you sold your house you would have to leave it there. You cannot move it with you. If you are using the electricity generated to heat water or your home then this system may not work very well. If it's an overcast day then the amount of electricity you will generate will be much lower than normal.
If you ever had to and roof tiles then you would have to remove the solar panels. This could make a simple job quite a large project. You will probably have to hire an electrician just so you can replace the tiles on your roof. Installing a solar power system is very expensive it would take many years before you have paid for the cost. Depending on whereabouts you live the weather can be a problem, hail could damage the panels so you need to make sure that you buy durable panels and check out your insurance policy. Will your panels be covered by your insurance?
There are advantages, but there are also disadvantages to using solar power, you should make sure you know all of these before you go ahead and install panels on your own home. Solar panels can provide an adequate amount power for many properties.
Solar Power For Home In
If you are thinking of using solar electricity in your home, it is wise to do an energy assessment in your home so you know how much solar electricity you will need. To do the energy assessment in your home figure out the wattage you use each day to run your household. Make a list of all the electrical items in your home such as the microwave, refrigerator, wash machine and dryer, television(s) (high definition TV takes more power than using a regular TV), lighting, air conditioner or central air, gaming systems, computer, DVD players, oven, etc. Next, add all of the wattage you think you use per day. (Make sure you figure this out in a twenty four hour period.) There will be some days you use more than others such as when the air conditioner or central air is constantly running, you decide to use your washing machine and dryer and your vacuum.
While doing this task, you may be surprised which items are using up more energy than others. Once you get your figure you are now able to see how many solar panels you will need to sufficiently handle your electricity needs.
Solar panels will be an upfront cost that is worth investing in. You may have to pay up to $600 (some solar panels are much less) for one solar panel. The solar panels will give 50 watts to 200 watts of power each day. Now that you know the wattage your home will need per day, you will know how many solar panels you will actually have to invest in.
You may think that the solar panels are too expensive to invest in. On the contrary, once you pay the initial upfront cost, solar panels will save you a fortune by using solar electricity. No longer will you have to worry about the electrical costs going up year after year. Did you realize that the electric company raises rates at an average of 10% per year? If you are annually budgeting your electricity bill money you can now save your money instead.
Even if you do not want to completely use solar electricity, you can still use it partially or as a backup for your needs. If you live in an area that frequently has blackouts or other weather emergencies, solar electricity may be just for you.
A huge benefit to using solar electricity is if you do not use up all of your solar energy you can sell your left over energy to the electric company. Thus, putting money back into your pockets and saving money or using it for something fun for you and your family to do. Check your local area laws or with your tax preparer as at times the Internal Revenue Service gives credit to you on your taxes which equals more money in your pocket.
If you do decide to use solar electricity, you will be helping the environment and your pride knowing that you are contributing to helping the Earth instead of hurting the Earth.
Both Peter Mason & Alireza Aleali are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Peter Mason has sinced written about articles on various topics from Personal Desktop, Adventure Travel and Car Rental. Peter Mason continually produces long articles on subjects dealing with hurricane repair and home builidng. You might find out more about his articles on. Peter Mason's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.
Alireza Aleali has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family Travel, Computers and The Internet. Sallasol Solar provides: opportunities and contracts. Alireza Aleali's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.
Cheap Flower Delivery Service Especially the far distance place where it is difficult to send gift online delivery of flowers can solve the purpose