| Solar energy is one of the great hopes of our current, | | | | 2. Your utility company can buy your excess energy |
| energy-thirsty age. Everyone is aware that we need | | | | from you using a process call net-metering |
| alternatives to non-renewable energy resources like | | | | 3. Using solar energy at the local level means you are |
| coal, oil and natural gas. These non-renewable energy | | | | not dependent upon the power grid; you can avoid |
| resources are readily available and easy to use, but | | | | regional blackouts (e.g., during lightning storms) and you |
| they are also the cause of pollution and global | | | | stop writing those monthly checks to the power |
| warming. And, many believe that use of these energy | | | | company |
| resources can lead to political instability by causing | | | | 4. Your home energy use is no longer contributing to |
| some nations to depend too heavily for energy on | | | | fossil-fuel-based pollution and global warming |
| other nations. | | | | The disadvantages of solar electricity include: |
| Fortunately, there are alternatives to fossil fuels for | | | | 1. There is an initial cost of building a solar panel system |
| powering our world, with solar energy being one of the | | | | for your home |
| most promising. One attractive quality of solar energy | | | | 2. Solar panels require a large area for installation |
| systems is that ordinary homeowners can build and | | | | 3. Solar power is not collected at night or when it is |
| use their own systems. | | | | cloudy; however, with a battery system in place, you |
| Solar Energy: Advantages and Disadvantages | | | | can use your collected energy during these down |
| No energy resource is perfect, however. Before you | | | | times |
| rush out and build your own solar panels, be sure to | | | | Investing in solar energy now can help save you |
| understand their advantages and disadvantages. | | | | money down the road. And, you will enjoy the peace |
| The advantages of solar electricity include: | | | | of mind that comes from not having to rely on the |
| 1. Once you have built your solar panels, the ongoing | | | | local power grid for your energy and not contributing to |
| energy you get from your panels each is 100% free | | | | global warming through your home energy use. |