| #ffffff;" /> | | | | in emissions of greenhouse gases. Solar power |
| There is something misleading about the name | | | | systems can operate independently, without any |
| “Solar Power.” All forms of energy is | | | | dependence on a power or a gas grid. Not only does |
| derived from the sun some way or the other. Without | | | | solar energy reduce your electricity bill, it is available at |
| the sun, there would be no life on earth, as the sun | | | | all times and is not affected by power outages. |
| provides the energy that sustains all plant and animal | | | | The solar energy systems are practically maintenance |
| life. Like all technologies and systems, solar power, too, | | | | free. Once installed, they can last for decades, with no |
| has its advantages and disadvantages. The | | | | recurring costs. They are silent in operation and do not |
| advantages of solar power, by far, outweigh its | | | | create any offensive smells. If your electric needs |
| disadvantages. | | | | increase, extra panels can be added to the existing |
| The Advantages of Solar Energy | | | | system. |
| Solar energy saves you money, period. Once you | | | | The Disadvantages of Solar Energy |
| recover the cost of installing the equipment, there is no | | | | The main disadvantage of solar energy systems is |
| running cost as the energy from the sun is 100 percent | | | | their initial installation costs, as the semi-conducting |
| free. Since production of solar energy does not require | | | | materials are expensive. To achieve a good level of |
| any fuel, you aren’t affected by its supply and | | | | efficiency, solar panels require a large area for |
| demand, or the ever-increasing price of gasoline. | | | | installation. The location of the sun also affects the |
| Solar energy is clean, renewable and sustainable, and | | | | efficiency of the system, but this is overcome by |
| so protects the environment in a number of days. | | | | installation of extra components--an added cost. |
| Unlike gas, coal, and oil, the supply of solar energy is | | | | Pollution in the air, as well as the presence of clouds, |
| renewable, though only for the next 4.5 billion years. | | | | affects the production of solar energy. There is no |
| Unlike more traditional forms of electricity generation, it | | | | production of solar energy at night. However, this can |
| doesn’t pollute the environments with carbon | | | | be taken care of with a battery backup system or net |
| dioxide, sulfur dioxide or mercury. We would be | | | | metering. Net metering is a scheme, available in 40 |
| healthier if more people get their energy from solar | | | | states and Washington D.C., through which your utility |
| power. | | | | company buys the extra energy that your solar |
| Since solar energy doesn’t release any | | | | energy system produces from you, building up a credit |
| pollutants into the air, it does ‘ot contribute to | | | | on your account. |
| global warming. Rather, it contributes to the decrease | | | | |