With the increasing attention of energy sustainability, more people are considering environmentally friendly methods to power their homes and the use of solar panels is one of them. Even though solar panels aren’t something new, there are still some considerations you need to think about first before you install a solar panel at your home.
In this brief guide, AstrumSolar will explain the pros and cons of installing solar panels at your home so you can decide for yourself whether the installation of solar panels will ensure that you fully enjoy all the benefits of solar power. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
Pros
Reduce carbon emissions
The first and most obvious advantage of installing a solar panel at your home is the reduction of carbon emissions. Solar energy is a type of renewable energy which means it can be replenished and doesn’t produce carbon dioxide, greenhouse gases or unwanted and harmful pollutants.
The traditional and non-renewable source of energy like coal and oil, which are fossil fuels, produces a detrimental amount of carbon dioxide when used to generate electricity. By using a solar panel at your home, you reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a cleaner environment.
Cheaper utility bills
Since using a solar panel means you use energy from the Sun and not from the traditional electricity source, you can expect cheaper electricity bills every month. Sunlight is free to use so if you use the electricity that is generated from your panels, you can reduce your electricity bills by a significant amount, or even not pay anything at all.
Although you need to pay an upfront cost for the purchase and installation of solar panels at your home, the electricity bill amount that you save will certainly make up for it. Additionally, solar panels can last for a long time so the electricity bills that you save over the years will definitely cover the upfront costs for solar panels.
Low maintenance
Many people are under the impression that new technology like solar panels are difficult and expensive to maintain. However, that is actually not the case because solar systems are simple to maintain and they are also extremely durable, which means they need very little maintenance.
The maintenance required for solar panels usually involve cleaning them and ensuring that they aren’t shadowed by trees. Besides that, there are some parts that need to be replaced but only after about 20 years of operation. Some solar panel installers also provide a warranty for up to 20 years so you don’t need to worry for at least 20 years after installing the solar panel at your home.
Cons
Upfront costs might be high
As mentioned earlier, the upfront costs for solar panels are quite high because you will need to pay for the panels and also the installation fees. Although some countries and states provide a discount or incentive for installing solar panels, the cost is still quite significant. If you are on a tight budget and don’t have that much extra money sitting around, installing solar panels might not be a good idea.
Not suitable if you intend to move
While it may seem like the reduction in electricity bills is attractive, it is not a wise idea to install a solar panel at your home if you plan to move in the near future. If you want to take the solar panel to your new home, you will need to go through the installation process again and it will cost you quite some money. Hence, solar panels are only ideal if you’re permanently staying where you are.
Suitability is dependent on where you stay
Solar panels require sunlight to function efficiently so whether your home is suitable for a solar panel or not will depend on how much sunlight is in your area. There’s no point installing a solar panel at your home only to realise that there is very little sunlight available. Installing solar panels is only recommended if where you stay receives sunlight consistently.
Conclusion
We hope that the information provided above gives you a better idea of whether or not you should install a solar panel at your home and based on what we’ve mentioned above, it is safe to say that you should install a solar panel at your home. However, only under the situation where you can afford and you intend to stay where you are permanently. Also, be sure that your area gets sufficient sunlight for the solar panel to work efficiently.
