The gap between the advantages and disadvantages of solar power is getting smaller at an alarming rate.
One of the main disadvantages of solar energy is the initial cost. Solar energy technology is still a costly alternative to the use of readily available fossil fuel technologies, but that margin is getting smaller every month. Now with price of materials to build your own panels have decreased, the idea of powering your home via solar, or even wind power, has become more realistic.
Even with solar panels becoming more cost effective, the second disadvantage would be the batteries needed to store the energy produced for when the sun goes down or on those cloudy days. Not so long ago, there have been 2 points of concern when it comes to the batteries. Problem being that batteries can cost even more then the panels in some cases. Now with recycling efforts and a global push to ‘go green’ – batteries are just a fraction of what they used to be if you know where to look. I’ve even found sources that offer free batteries. The other draw back is the chemicals that they possess. Sulphuric acid and lead are both toxic to the environment’s air, soil and water and is highly toxic to marine life. Again, advancements in recycling have made it possible to recover 98% of lead that would have gone into landfills. Along that same lines, maintaining your batteries can now prolong the life of them up to 3 times longer. So with that being the case, it turns out to be more of an advantage rather then a disadvantage – relatively speaking.
The third thing to consider before investing in a self sufficient solar power system is how efficient it’s going to be / location. Places like Southern California, Florida , and Hawaii would be an ideal spot to make such a transition. Heck, even places in Alaska could run solar energy 24 hours a day, that is if you keep the snow off of it and even then for part of the year. Simply put, Problem is that most locations are seasonal. Places like Phoenix can count on 5 ½ hours of direct, usable sunlight a day most of the year while cotton belt may only get 2 – 4 productive hours of sunlight depending on the season.
Another barrier in regards to location is the fact that you are going to need a pretty large area to work from if you are going to see any major differences in your energy bill. You could do just fine with one panel to light a shed. Three if you want to light a room or hot water heater. More if you are wanting to store it and use it at night via batteries. There are so many variables as to what your power requirements would be, but don’t be surprised if you find your self needing a dozen or more.
So what does this all mean? Yes, transitioning over to your own personal power company is a big step. Consider it more of an investment. On the other hand though, we are thinking long term here. In general it will have paid for its self in 3 – 4 years and after that it’s all profit. Even better is that if you remain connected to the utility company, and you produce more electricity then you use up, they will be sending you a check. the new Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was passed let lets the government pay for up to thirty percent of the installed system. Plus, as a bonus, additional tax breaks year after year.
Do it yourself solar power is making a comeback because in the past it was just not worth the effort. But with recent price breaks and additional cash back incentives folks are beginning to see that the advantages of solar power have out weighed the disadvantages.
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