| You hear a lot about solar energy as a good source | | | | from them. |
| of electricity for homes. One of the nice things about it | | | | You can still use the power company as a backup. |
| is that an individual can have a solar system installed | | | | There are times that your system may not be able to |
| on their own home. Many other green forms of energy | | | | produce enough power for your needs. You can still |
| can only be implemented by the power company. So | | | | be hooked up to the grid and buy power to |
| is residential solar energy a good idea? Like anything | | | | supplement what your solar system makes. |
| else, there are pros and cons. | | | | A solar power system is scalable. You pay less for |
| Pros | | | | the first unit of energy than you do for the last unit that |
| Production of solar energy does not pollute the | | | | you buy each month. Even a small system will replace |
| environment. There are no greenhouse gas emission | | | | the most expensive units of electricity that you would |
| released into the air by solar panels. This may not | | | | otherwise buy. You can figure out what the optimum |
| seem like a big deal when you're only talking about one | | | | size system for your house is. You can use the mix of |
| house, but it adds up. | | | | solar and purchased power that makes the most |
| Solar energy is plentiful and renewable. Other forms of | | | | financial sense to you. Some power companies will |
| energy are found in finite quantities. When supplies get | | | | even buy excess electricity back from you! |
| low, prices go up. And a lot of the resources we use | | | | Cons |
| come from foreign countries. Not only are we | | | | There are disadvantages too, and you need to take |
| financially tied to these countries, but we inevitably get | | | | them into consideration before making a decision. The |
| more involved politically than we would otherwise. | | | | cost to install a solar system are quite high. Prices |
| Solar energy is everywhere and will continue to be | | | | have come down in recent years, and they may |
| here forever. | | | | come down further. Nevertheless, it still take several |
| Solar cells require very little maintenance. Years ago | | | | years to recoup the costs. |
| solar panels had the reputation of being unreliable and | | | | Solar panels cannot collect power at night. This |
| easily broken. That's not true anymore. Today's solar | | | | weakness can be mitigated by purchasing some |
| panels will last for many years with very little upkeep. | | | | means to store the energy or by buying power from |
| A solar system can make you self-reliant. If the power | | | | the power company at night. Panels also collect less |
| goes out in the neighborhood, you're not affected. | | | | energy when there is less direct sunlight. This impacts |
| Rolling black-outs in your city? Not your problem. What | | | | some geographical locations more than others. Many |
| if the power company raises their rates. Your electric | | | | power companies don't have the infrastructure to buy |
| bill is only affected to the degree that you buy power | | | | back your excess power - yet. |