Disadvantages Of Solar Energy

Solar energy is an inexhaustible source of energy with the most potential as it will continue to produce solar power as long as sun is there. Solar energy is totally free, available widely, produces no pollution, no emission, no noise and no carbon footprint. Cost however poses a major hindrance which makes it impossible to harness the energy which is available all over the earth. Except few locations like Antarctica and Polar Regions, all over the earth receives consistent and steady sunshine for almost whole year.

Listed below are few of the major roadblocks related to cost, pollution, location, reliability that makes it impossible to harness energy all through the year.

1. Initial Cost : The initial cost of purchasing and installing solar panels always become the first disadvantage when the subject of comes up. Although subsidy programs, tax initiatives and rebate incentives are given by government to promote the use of solar panels we are still way behind in making full and efficient use of solar energy. As new technologies emerge, the cost of solar panels is likely to decrease and then we can see an increase in the use of solar cells to generate electricity.


2. Location : The location of solar panels is of major importance in the generation of electricity. Areas which remains mostly cloudy and foggy will produce electricity but at a reduced rate and may require more panels to generate enough electricity for your home. Houses which are covered by trees, landscapes or other buildings may not be suitable enough to produce solar power.


3. Pollution : Most of the photovoltaic panels are made up of silicon and other toxic metals like mercury, lead and cadmium. Pollution in the environment can also degrade the quality and efficiency of photovoltaic cells. New innovative technologies can overcome the worst of these effects.


4. Inefficiency : Since not all the light from the sun is absorbed by the solar panels therefore most solar panels have a 40% efficiency rate which means 60% of the sunlight gets wasted and is not harnessed. New emerging technologies however have increased the rate of efficiency of solar panels from 40 to 80% and on the downside have increased the cost of solar panels as well.


5. Reliability : Unlike other renewable source which can also be operated during night, solar panels prove to be useless during night which means you have to depend on the local utility grid to draw power in the night. Else you can buy solar batteries to store excess power which you can later utilize in the night.


6. Installation area : For home users, a solar energy installation may not require huge space but for big companies, a large area is required for the system to be efficient in providing a source of electricity.

Above disadvantages makes it quite obvious that one has to shell out good amount of money to harness solar energy that is available free but before you reach any further conclusion lets go through the advantages of solar power which will make you think that it would be wise to make this investment once and then reap its benefits later.