The Pros and Cons of Using Solar Energy in Australia

Today we’re seeing the world moving towards sustainable energy sources like wind and solar and away from fossil fuels. According to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), more than 30% of Australian households have rooftop solar installed on their homes. In Australia today, solar power is now the fastest-growing generation type and accounts for almost 10% of electricity in Australia.

And while the sun is undoubtedly a powerful energy source, unfortunately, we’re only able to collect just a fraction of its energy. However, when we install solar panels to harness this power, we’re making a huge difference to the planet. In the past, we’ve heard the criticisms of solar power – that it’s inefficient or too expensive, but that’s not the case today. In fact, solar energy has proven to be very beneficial to both the private economy and to the environment.

Solar panels are readily available, and in today’s market some can be purchased at very competitive prices. Because of this, solar energy is becoming the major energy source for more and more families. With new and innovative technology, solar energy is becoming very efficient and extremely popular, and when coupled with a solar battery storage system, Australians now have a great source of clean energy.

Yes, there are some disadvantages to using solar power, so it’s up to you to decide whether the pros outweigh the cons. Some of the following benefits are undeniable, and for many people they far outweigh any drawbacks. Let’s start with the advantages of solar energy.

Advantages

No. 1: Solar Power Is A Renewable Energy Source

‘Renewable Energy Source’ means a source of power that can’t be used up. The sun is continuously generating a mass amount of power. Solar panels can harvest this power and never run out. One of the advantages of solar power is that everyone can take advantage of the free energy provided by the sun, and so we get to enjoy the sun’s rays that hit our solar panels, generating clear and free energy. And because solar power is a renewable energy source, it means there are no greenhouse gas emissions produced.

As a truly renewable energy source, solar energy can be harnessed worldwide and is always available. Unlike other energy sources, we can’t run out of solar energy. As long as the sun exists, solar energy will be available to us, which, according to scientists, means that we’ll have access to the sun’s power for at least the next 5-billion years!

No. 2: Huge Savings On Our Electricity Bills

Did you know that the first solar panels were developed back in the 1800s? Today’s solar panels are designed specifically for saving money on your power bills. Because your energy needs are being met with solar power generated by your solar system, your energy bills will reduce. The amount saved on bills will depend entirely on two things – your usage of heat and electricity and the size of your solar system. At the end of the day, energy can either be stored for night-time use or (if you have a battery) sold back to the grid.

Solar energy is renewable, virtually noiseless, and completely sustainable, and once you have a solar system installed there will be virtually no maintenance because there are no moving parts.

According to Orcasolarlighting.com.au there are huge benefits for a business using commercial solar panels because a large portion of your energy bills will be covered by solar energy. In addition to saving on your electricity bill, you may also qualify to receive payments for the excess energy being exported back to the grid. This is dependent on your solar system being connected to the grid and that you’re generating more power than you use.

No. 3: Various Applications

Due to improved technology, solar energy can now be used for a range of purposes. Electricity, or photovoltaics, and heat, or solar thermal, can be generated. Some uses of solar energy include –

• * Distilling water in areas where there are limited clean water supplies,

• * Producing electricity in areas where there’s no access to the energy grid, and

• * Powering satellites in space.

In addition, solar energy can be integrated into building materials. You may recall that not so long ago Sharp developed transparent solar energy windows.

Solar Lighting Bollards by Orca Solar Lighting

No. 4: Minimal Maintenance Costs

There’s very little maintenance required with solar energy systems. They should be kept as clean as possible, but this only needs to be done perhaps twice per year. There are also specialized cleaning companies that can do this cleaning for you. You’ll probably find that your solar panels come with a 20 to 25-year warranty.

In addition, there’s no wear and tear because there are no moving parts. You may find that, after 5 or 10 years, your inverter needs to be changed. The inverter works very hard converting solar energy into heat and electricity (solar thermal vs solar PV). Aside from the inverter and to ensure your solar system is working efficiently, your cables may require maintenance. This means that, after the initial cost of your solar system, there should be minimal maintenance and repair costs.

No. 5: Advancing Technology

Technological advancements in the solar power industry and innovations in nanotechnology and quantum physics are ongoing, and this can only continue on into the future. This will increase the efficiency of solar panels and dramatically increase the electrical input of all solar power systems.

There are some undeniable benefits of installing a solar system on your home, including the financial savings and the fact that you’re helping save our precious planet by reducing your carbon footprint. In addition, there may be state and federal government incentives to help reduce the initial cost. However, there are some disadvantages to having solar panels installed. So, let’s take a look at the most common disadvantages and see if they outweigh the advantages.

Disadvantages

No. 1: The Upfront Cost

It can be quite expensive to have a solar system installed on your roof. This will vary depending on the size of the system and your location, but inevitably there will be homeowners out there who simply can’t afford solar panels, wiring, batteries, the inverter, and the cost of installation. It should be noted that, because solar technologies are continuously developing, it’s likely that prices will continue reducing in the future.

No. 2: Solar Power is Weather-Dependent

If there’s no sun hitting the face of the panel and being converted, there can be no energy generated. It’s the UV light that generates the energy, so your solar panels will still generate power on cloudy days; however, they do perform best on sunny days. Keep in mind that solar energy can’t be collected during the night, which means your solar panels will only be generating energy for 12-hours of a full day. Already being discussed is a new technology that may produce an ‘anti-solar panel,’ capable of producing power at night!

If you live in an area that has lots of rainy days and/or doesn’t get much sun, it may be to your advantage to seek a different option. Fortunately, in Australia, this is not a problem for most people. You may want to consider thermodynamic panels if you need your water heating solution to work at night-time or during the wintertime.

No. 3: Storing Solar Energy Is Expensive

If you don’t use your solar energy right away it can be stored in large batteries. The batteries are charged during the day allowing the energy to be used at night. While it’s a great solution for using solar power all day long, it’s also very expensive. Most homeowners use solar energy during the day, then during the night the energy comes from the grid. Note that this can only be achieved if your system is connected to the grid. The energy demand for most homes is typically higher during the day, so most of the demand can be met with solar energy.

No. 4: Your System Size Will Be Determined By Available Space

One of the biggest factors in solar panel installation is the amount of space available on your roof. If your roof lacks space you may have to downsize the system you choose or even forget about installing a solar system. The more panels you have, the more electricity you’ll produce. Solar PV panels do demand a lot of space, and unfortunately for some homeowners, their roofs are just not big enough to fit the required number of solar panels.

Some homeowners have installed panels in their yard, but this can only work if the panels have good access to sunlight. If you are short of roof space, consider installing fewer panels and satisfying some of your energy requirements.

No. 5: Solar Energy And Pollution

When it comes to pollution, solar energy systems produce a lot less when compared to other energy sources; however, solar energy can be linked to pollution. The process of manufacturing solar panels can harm the environment, and this is an often-overlooked disadvantage. Mass production of panels can result in plastic waste and fossil fuels being burned. Unfortunately, solar panels are not eco-friendly to mass manufacture. So, while solar panels themselves produce renewable green energy, the manufacture of these panels, including transportation and installation, has been associated with the emission of greenhouse gases. In addition, the manufacturing process uses hazardous products and toxic materials, all of which have a negative effect on the environment. It is true, however, that solar energy pollutes a lot less than other alternative sources of energy.

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