What are some advantages / disadvantages of solar energy?

Question

What are some advantages / disadvantages of solar energy?

Answer 1

Solar energy is free once the installation costs have been covered. The disadvantage is that you get the most energy from it in the summer when you don't need it so much and less energy in the winter when you need it most.

Answer 2

not many disadvantages -

start up cost

maintaining the equipment

and the sun isn't always available

(storage batteries needed)

Answer 3

The advantage is that the energy is free and clean - the solar cells just harvest the sun's energy all the time and do not need any maintenance - however, the initial expense is fairly high and you need a large amount of batteries to store the power

Answer 4

Renewable, clean, noiseless energy source.

Fairly expensive to set up .

I am sure there are better arguments than that, but that's all I can think of for now.

Answer 5

This is an interesting question. I have thought about this before. I think that with regard to such a thing one must consider all the alternatives. Perhaps take a fresh look at the situation. Cast your mind out of the preconceived confines of normality and really think outside the box.

Answer 6

Cost to produce is big.

It costs more per dollar to produce a Megawatt of enrgy from Solar than Oil/Coal.

Until that number reverses itself, Solar energy will be a minor player in energy.

Answer 7

the advantages are to the environment that all of life must thrive in. The disadvantages are the the few pukes that get rich off of the the other sources.

Answer 8

You can read all about solar energy here:

http://www.greenstudentu.com/Solar_Energ...

Answer 9

Cost is null and also , there won't be a power outage if he electric goes out in the city. Wish I had it!

Answer 10

Hi Sweetie,

It is much more cost effective, however, expensive to get started.

Love,

Mom

Answer 11

they cost a lot..and to power your house u would need several acres of panels...they dont last long enough to pay off...our farm uses several for electrict fences...the never last longer than 3 to 6 yrs....not worth the cost...battery power workes better [cheaper] for us

Answer 12

disadvantage- costly to start up

advantage- energy is free & eco-friendly

Answer 13

The biggest reason we don't put solar panels on everything:  it costs a bunch to make and install, and the energy gains won't offset the cost by the time the panels wear out.  Usually, panels are working at less than half their intended output within 6 or 7 years.  Within ten years, you'll pretty much need a new panel.  And you'll still be paying off the old one.

(Ya know what would fix this?  Government subsidies on investors in solar technology and equipment.)

Answer 14

Solar energy is infinitly renewable and therefor cost efefctive in the long run, but they remain very expensive to buy/manufacture and do look like c**p on most buildings.

Answer 15

It costs more at the beginning but after that you have little or no electricity bill. It's great!  Oh yes and the myth about it not working if it isn't sunny out is completely stupid!

Answer 16

its green

Answer 17

Advantages- Free power (other than starting expense) with no harful enviornmental effects

Disadvantages- Wont work unless its almost always sunny

Answer 18

You will always have power. The biggest disadvantage is the cost of installation and not enough tax breaks. Governemnt encourages it as long as you pay for it.

Answer 19

only advantages are not burning fossil fuels and creating less pollution.

A solar panel can generate 70 milliwatts per square inch * 5 hours = 350 milliwatt hours per day. You need about 41,000 square inches of solar panel to power a house. That's a solar panel that measures about 285 square feet (about 26 square meters). That would cost around $16,000 right now. Then, because the sun only shines part of the time, you would need to purchase a battery bank, an inverter, etc., and that often doubles the cost of the installation.

100 watts per hour purchased from the power grid would only cost about 24 cents a day right now, or $91 a year. That's why you don't see many solar houses unless they are in very remote locations. When it only costs about $100 a year to purchase power from the grid, it is hard to justify spending thousands of dollars on a solar system.

solar panels are expensive until the cost comes down it's will remain an exception more than a rule. the same applies to hybrid cars because of the high cost & weight of the batteries. They are working on these problems but so far have not found a low cost way to make them.

Answer 20

hi!=)

disadvantages:

The initial cost is the main disadvantage of installing a solar energy system, largely because of the high cost of the semi-conducting materials used in building one.

The cost of solar energy is also high compared to non-renewable utility-supplied electricity. As energy shortages are becoming more common, solar energy is becoming more price-competitive.

Solar panels require quite a large area for installation to achieve a good level of efficiency.

The efficiency of the system also relies on the location of the sun, although this problem can be overcome with the installation of certain components.

The production of solar energy is influenced by the presence of clouds or pollution in the air.

Answer 21

costs which will come down as technology improves

if used in conjucture with batterys or reverse grid feed will provide 24 hour power

DISADVANTAGE

big corporations miss out

Answer 22

The big advantage is solar is relatively clean energy.

The big dis-advantage id solar is relatively expensive energy.

When you can buy electricity at 10 cents a Kw / hr it hard to justify spending 20 -40 thousand dollars up front to install solar panels on your roof.

One place where solar panel really pay off is supplying electricity in remote locations. Out in Central Pennsylvania I know one fellow installed solar panels because the local electric company said it would cost a small fortune (more than the cost of the panels) to run an electric from his house to the grid a mile away.