For environmentally conscious homeowners, sun energy is a way to take advantage of a renewable resource while reducing their utility bills. Solar home systems require an investment up front, but the payoff on saved fuel expenses and reduced use of fossil fuels is priceless.
Benefits of Solar Energy in Homes
The biggest benefit of solar energy is that the fuel is free and the source is unlimited.
There is little to no maintenance required with solar panels because there are no moving parts. In fact, most manufacturers include warranties on their products that are good for up to twenty-five years.
In the event of a blackout, solar power is not affected. That means that during extreme storms, your family can still enjoy all the comforts of your solar home.
Environmentally speaking, the use of solar energy produces no emissions because there is no burning of fossil fuels.
Solar energy prices are steadily declining and as new technologies emerge, the costs of solar systems will continue to decrease.
Solar Home Power Systems Kits
Even though solar power home kits have become more commonplace in recent years, these kits can be dangerous.
Because the instructions in these kits are laid out in what seems to be easy-to-follow steps, some people forget the fact that they are working with electricity. To be safe, a person who purchases solar home power kits should read the instructions thoroughly.
It is often safer to hire a professional installer or electrician instead of installing the kit yourself. Because professionals have received more training, they are much more capable of handling the risks that come with using solar power home kits.
Solar Home Power Systems Disadvantages
Although solar electricity is a clean source of power, disposing of the cells is environmentally unfriendly!
Most solar cells that are used to create a solar home contain the highly toxic substance known as cadmium, which can cause serious environmental damage if it’s not disposed of properly.
Another problem with solar power is the supply of sunlight. Most places do have adequate light to operate solar power, but there are areas in the extreme north and south that experience only darkness for up to a month a year.
While solar power is a huge step forward in reducing our dependency on fossil fuels, there are some drawbacks. Like with any investment, consumers should thoroughly research their options and consult professionals. Solar energy is a rapidly advancing technology, so it is reasonable to assume that the issue of cadmium contamination will be addressed.
It is important to remember that building a solar home is not just a financial investment, but an investment into the future of a clean planet that will sustain generations to come.