Residential Solar Energy

Advantages and Disadvantages
of Home Solar Power

The advantages of residential solar energy are unlimited. Many advances in photovoltaic technology have made solar power for homes more accessible and available to all. These advances translate to better and cheaper materials and parts now and in the future as the technology evolves and improves.

Right now you can anticipate your solar system to last 20-25 years with little or no maintenance. You can expect a 10-50% return on investment through projected savings on your energy bill, rebates and incentives from the government.

One great advantage of home solar panels is having back-up electricity during storms, especially convenient during the Florida hurricane season. But the best advantage is you will be producing clean energy which means zero pollution, zero emissions.

Clearly there are plenty of home solar energy advantages. Disadvantages can also be found. The initial cost is probably what holds most people back, and the return on investment may take 5-7 years.

You should also consider that installing solar panels is best left to qualified professionals. Very few people are equipped or have the knowledge to build solar panel systems themselves. Rebates and other incentives are also subject to professional installation requirements and proper licensing.

Another issue is available space for a whole-house system. You either need a large roof (lots of square footage) or land to put your solar system on.

Many people are choosing to invest in green technology simply because they feel it is the right thing to do regardless of cost. In the long run they will get back the return on their investment. In the short term, they have the satisfaction of knowing their choice for a renewable energy source is a huge step towards reducing their carbon footprint.

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