subject: The Pros and Cons of Solar Lighting [print this page] Sometimes there is so much information coming out about solar energy that it's hard to keep up with. How do you know what's actually beneficial, to you, to your wallet, and to the environment? And if you're using solar energy, will it be sufficient? Will it be as reliable as utility grid energy?
The Pros of Solar Lighting:
Solar energy is easy to come by and easy to enjoy. After making the initial decision of what type of solar collector to use and whether you want to be on the grid or off the grid, solar power is easy to maintain.
You don't need sunshine everyday to collect enough energy for your home. Most solar collectors store the energy. While some panels store energy for only a day or two, others are adapted for seasonal storage. This means you are at a low risk to be without power when using solar energy. If you are off the grid you are completely independent and self-sufficient. That means that when the power is out elsewhere, you still have electricity. Not only do you always have light, but it is also just as bright as using energy from a utility company. The brightness is dependent on the type of light bulb you choose to you, not the use of solar energy.
Solar lighting is inexpensive. After the initial installation cost of solar energy, there is very little cost or maintenance involved in solar energy. It is necessary to keep the solar panels clean and free of debris to ensure proper energy collection, but little else is involved. Most individuals save 75-100% on their annual energy bills by using solar energy, as opposed to the costs of sourcing energy from the utility company
The savings to the environment are countless. Most importantly, by using solar energy as opposed to conventional utility energy, you are reducing pollution, carbon dioxide output, and greenhouse gasses.
The Cons of Solar Lighting:
By using solar energy, you, the user are completely self-sufficient. While this is mainly a positive thing, it also can be a stressor. If your power goes down or there are problems with your panels, you are responsible for the costs and maintenance. It is also necessary to take the time to make certain that there is no debris on the solar panels. While this is mainly a minor detail, in the winter it can be less pleasant. Snow can inhibit solar collection, which lowers the amount of solar light you have access to. This means the user must regularly go out and remove the snow from the solar panels.
It is possible to sell energy back to the utility companies, which is a huge plus. However, you have to be on the grid to do this. This means that while you may be collecting your own energy, you are still hooked into the grid and therefore still connected to it. That means that when their power goes down, your power goes down. Which means your solar lighting isn't coming back until their power is back up.
