Hi everyone! For the next few days I will be discussing the implementations of alternative forms of energy, one of the biggest things we need to do to stop the climate crisis. I will be sharing one form of cleaner energy a day, telling you the pros and cons. Although it hasn’t been super sunny lately, that doesn’t mean we can’t start with solar power!
To put it simply, solar power is a form of energy that takes radiation from the sun and turns it into power. Since the sun won’t run out of light for a long time, solar power is basically an infinite source of clean energy.
Solar panels work by utilizing something called photovoltaic cells. When a photon (a tiny particle that light is composed of) hits these cells, they release electrons, creating an electric current. This current can then be harnessed and used to power homes, businesses and everything in between.
Did you know that the amount of light that strikes the Earth in an hour and a half is enough to power the entire world for a year? Isn’t that crazy? It’s easy to see why solar power is so appealing and abundant.
Adopting forms of renewable energy is especially important because it not only helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also helps improve air and water quality. Solar panels do a great job at this, reducing an estimated 8,460 pounds of CO2 per year for a typical home that fully relies on solar energy.
As far as the financial benefits of going solar, there are many. For one, once you pay the significant startup cost, you will never have to pay for energy again, which is especially appealing as energy bills continue to rise.
This means that once the solar panels are paid off, which typically takes around 10 years, your energy bill will be zero. Any extra power you generate can also be sold back to local power plants, making solar panels a potentially profit-making investment.
Solar panels also increase the value of your home by around 5-10%. They have also been proven to save homeowners an average of 61,093 dollars a year.
The biggest con of solar panels is that they are extremely expensive. For a typical home to meet its energy needs, 30,505 dollars worth of solar panels would need to be installed on average.
Unfortunately, this is completely out of the price range for many. However, governments offer incentives to install solar panels that can significantly lower the cost. In Ohio, you can get up to a 50,000 dollar loan for solar panels with a reduced rate 3% under the market rate. This could make it easier for you to finance solar panels if you don’t have the money at present.
There are also tax exemption programs in Cincinnati and Cleveland. All of these incentives can significantly reduce the price you pay up front for solar. For a larger list of Ohio incentives, look here, and for other states, look here.
Another con of solar panels is that they aren’t super reliable during periods of unsunny weather. You can’t use solar panels during the night; however, this can be easily remedied by installing a battery system to store energy during the day for later use. Battery systems are quite expensive though—another con.
Solar panels also don’t work on every type of roof. Angled roofs made of asphalt, metal or tiles that face the sun work best. If you don’t have this, solar panels might not be the best option for your home.
They can also take up a lot of land. I’m sure we’ve all driven past those vast solar farms that go on for miles. These solar farms also aren’t great for biodiversity because the land often needs to be completely cleared of vegetation.
The solution to this problem is utilizing solar panels in pre-existing spaces, for example, on top of parking garages or skyscrapers. Creating public solar sites could also help to supply the energy needs of the community. If we can get enough solar panels in public areas, not all homes will need to install them, which is a great option for those who don’t have the right type of roof or can’t afford them.
Overall, solar panels have a variety of pros and cons that need to be weighed before you choose to buy them. They are a great solution, but not the only solution. Tune in tomorrow to learn about another renewable energy source that might work better for you: wind energy!
Elena