Solar system: advantages and disadvantages of solar energy

Solar system: advantages and disadvantages of solar energy

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Solar energy is on everyone's lips. With a solar power system, you can convert this energy into electricity or heat. A distinction is made between photovoltaic and solar thermal systems. In this article, we explain the advantages and disadvantages of both types.

 

Advantages and disadvantages of solar systems and solar power for generating electricity

Solar energy is the usable energy produced with the help of sunlight. This energy can be produced in the form of electricity or heat (solar thermal energy)

 

Electricity and heat are produced at the point of use, i.e., there is no energy transport. It is not environmentally friendly if the modules have long transport distances.

Solar cells can be discarded and recycled for free. Tax-related effort

Low maintenance costs Requires sufficient roof space

Electric vehicles can be charged for free.

Benefits of solar systems and solar power for electricity generation

The advantage of solar energy, apart from the green generation of electricity and heat, is the reliability of power generation for the next 25 to 40 years. A solar system also has the advantage of saving money on electricity and heating costs, with relatively low maintenance costs. At the same time, there is independence from rising energy prices.

 

A solar system makes you independent of the grid operator and rising prices.

With your solar system, you are less dependent on the grid operator. This means you are no longer at the mercy of ever-increasing electricity prices and, in some cases, power outages. Fossil fuels are not available forever, which is why electricity prices are rising. They account for over 70% of electricity generation in the USA.

 

Solar energy, on the other hand, is unlimited and free. With a solar system, you can generate your own electricity every day for a fixed price.

 

By combining a solar system with energy storage, you become even more independent. The solar energy you generate is stored and therefore available to you in the evening and at night. This means that you have to buy less electricity from the public grid. A solar system can now cover up to 80% of your electricity needs.

 

Electricity production is guaranteed for at least 25 years

The service life of a good photovoltaic system is at least 25 years. In fact, the service life is much longer. With regular cleaning, maintenance and periodic repairs, a service life of 30 to 40 years is possible. During this time, you will significantly reduce your electricity costs.

 

Disadvantages of solar systems and solar power generation

The cost of a solar system for a private home ranges from $7,000 to $20,000. The cost is even higher for PV systems with energy storage. It takes about 10 to 15 years for them to pay for themselves in energy savings.

 

Would you like to save on purchase costs and not worry about anything else? Some providers offer solar systems without purchase costs. With this model, you rent the solar system permanently and pay a monthly installment of a previously agreed amount. The provider also takes care of the maintenance and insurance of the PV system.

Solar power depends on the weather.

Although photovoltaic power generation also works in bad weather and in the shade , the yield is very low in this case. Even with light cloud cover, the yield is reduced by 60%. In the rain, the yield is reduced by up to 95%. Therefore, the full yield of solar energy is only achieved on days with full sun.

 

As a solution, you can install an energy storage system. This stores excess electricity when it is sunny. This means you can use it at night or on days with bad weather.

 

Less solar energy is produced in winter

Since the sun is not only in motion throughout the day, but also throughout the year, electricity generation is significantly lower in winter than in summer. A photovoltaic system produces about 70% of the annual electricity yield from April to September. During the winter months, the yield is much lower. This means that grid electricity must be purchased to meet daily electricity demand.

 

Benefits of solar thermal energy

The benefits of using solar energy to generate heat are as follows:

 

Additional energy can be stored in the final buffer tank.

Solar heating systems always use a heat storage tank. If the heat produced cannot be used directly for heating or hot water, it is stored in a buffer storage tank. It can then be used over time. This means that no heat produced remains unused.

 

Direct subsidies for solar thermal systems

 

Solar thermal energy can also be installed on the wall of a house.

Solar thermal panels can be easily installed on the wall of a house. Thanks to this type of installation, the roof can remain free from additional photovoltaic systems. In addition, solar collectors mounted on the top achieve better yields in winter, i.e. when heat is needed. This is because the sun has a shallower angle in winter. This also prevents overheating in summer.

 

Disadvantages of solar energy

In addition to the advantages, solar thermal energy also has a few disadvantages.

 

Another solution is to install collectors on the wall of the house instead of the roof. Here, the angle of the sun's rays is less favorable in summer and therefore the heat production is also lower. However, the angle is good in winter. A solar heating system produces additional heat, which you can use for heating.

 

Conclusion

Whether it is solar thermal or photovoltaic, the use of solar energy has many advantages. They produce electricity and heat without charging a fee and for free for the next 30 to 40 years. Direct subsidies and favorable loans help reduce the purchase price. Once the purchase cost is financed, you are reliably immune to rising energy prices.

 

 

 

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