Benefits of switching to solar power

Benefits of Solar Power

Solar Energy is highly popular in Australian households. According to the Clean Energy Council , more than 2.5 million households have solar across Australia.

Solar panels harness the energy from the sun and generate electricity to meet the energy demands of households. The technology has improved drastically over the years and in the future, it is set to only get better. There are numerous benefits of using solar energy over fossil fuels and as we move towards green and sustainable technology, solar energy can help us create a sustainable future. It also represents a golden opportunity for individuals and businesses to transform the future of the planet.

Before we dive into the benefits of solar power, it is important to understand how solar power works. Watch the video to learn more about solar power generation.

How does solar power work?

Solar panels are made from silicon cells. When photons from sunlight hit the solar panels, they are converted into electricity. The solar inverter converts the direct current generated by solar panels into alternating current.

Advantages of Solar Power

Clean Energy

Solar panels produce zero greenhouse gas emissions once they have been manufactured. Unlike fossil fuels, we won’t run out of solar energy and generating electricity doesn’t release any greenhouse gases.

Insurance from rising electricity costs

Solar power acts as insurance from rising electricity costs. Electricity prices have increased steadily over the years and is expected to continue to increase in the near future. By switching to solar power you will not only reduce your electricity bills you can reduce the peak pressure on the already overloaded mains electricity grid.

Your savings will depend on the size of your solar power system and energy use.

Renewable energy source

Burning fossil fuel produces harmful gases like sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and methane causing air pollution which results in climate change. Air pollution can also lead to asthma, allergies, bronchitis, lung cancer and long-term damage to our organs.

Solar panels do not generate any harmful gases when in use. By adopting solar power we can ensure fewer greenhouse gases are released into our atmosphere and we are doing our best to slow down global warming.

Feed-in tariffs

You can also sell excess energy your solar PV system produces to your energy retailer and earn credits or a feed-in tariff. Depending on the solar feed-in-tariff rate you can make decent savings.

Improve the value of your home

A solar power system can improve the resale value of your home. Even if you are not planning to sell your home in the immediate future due to the lowering price of a solar system you can expect to recoup your investment within 3-5 years and generate electricity for decades.

Save water

The conventional sources of energy use thousands of litres of water annually to generate electricity. Water is a precious resource and we are at risk of running out of fresh water. Switching to solar reduces our reliance on water for electricity production as once manufactured solar power doesn’t need water at all.

Disadvantages of solar power

Weather

Weather and location play a huge role in the efficiency of solar energy. However, solar energy is popular in countries like Germany and Sweden which are not as sunny as Australia and research shows that solar panels can produce electricity even in winters. Although the efficiency decreases on rainy and cloudy days, adding battery storage can enable you to use the generated energy whenever you need it.

High initial investment

The significant initial investment of installing a solar system can act as a deterrent for many homeowners. However, the costs of solar panel systems and installation have been declining steadily and the state and federal governments also have rebate systems in place to encourage people to switch to solar. The solar payback period has declined considerably and is just 3-5 years now. So even though the initial costs can be high, the price of solar power is a lot less than electricity and you can save a lot of money with solar than without it.

Efficiency

Solar panels are not as efficient as other energy sources. For example, they can only convert around 20% of the solar energy they receive.

Manufacturing process releases toxic metals

Although solar energy is clean the manufacturing process still has room for improvement. Solar panels manufacturing produces toxic metals like lead and cadmium. There are some other associated environmental costs due to the transportation and installation of solar power systems. However, that is true for any other source of power. Compared to fossil fuels, solar still has less impact on the environment.

Key takeaways of solar pros and cons

Even though there are some disadvantages of solar energy, the industry is evolving and will continue to improve. Solar energy is accessible and it can be adopted easily by individuals who care. Switching to solar is easy and if this article has piqued your interest in switching to solar, contact us. Our CEC accredited solar installers can design an efficient and powerful solar power system for your home or business.

Your trusted solar installers in Sydney

For more information on how solar energy can benefit you, contact us on 0488 856 928 or complete our online Solar Enquiry Form .

References

• https://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/resources/technologies/solar-energy
• https://www.energymatters.com.au/renewable-news/em3263/
• https://news.energysage.com/solar-panels-in-winter-weather-snow-affect-power-production/