Solar Energy Storage – Pros And Cons
Posted on January 1, 2010
Filed Under solar energy, solar panels | Leave a Comment
Several different methods are being utilzed to develop a cost effective way to store solar energy and other methods are being explored. While some home owners have had great success with their solar energy systems, those same systems may not be appropriate for all regions of the world. If solar energy is to be the replacement for other less environmentally friendly energy sources, then there must be a way to store it on a larger scale that’s still safe and affordable for everyone.
Pros and Cons Of Solar Powered Outdoor Lighting:
Pros
Solar energy is renewable and environmentally safe. New homes or existing homes with solar panels can qualify for a tax credit or other financial incentives.
Solar power can be used to offset or replace electrical costs, which, on a large conversion scale in a region, has the potential to force utility companies to become more competitive in their pricing. For example, if one home in a neighborhood sets up solar panels and reduces their energy costs by half or more the utility company automatically increases the rates for neighboring homes. Such a negative financial impact, could, depending on the neighbors financial means, give them pause to consider going to solar power as well.
Solar power is safer than other energy sources e.g. cola and oil.
Cons
Obviously, in many regions, clouds keep the sun’s rays from being consistently available. Blocking the sun for seconds, minutes, or even hours can cause a loss of megawatts of energy in a storage system, especially if the system in place is not large enough to store an adequate amount of energy.
The salt tank systems are adequate on a small scale, but on a larger scale, they could face the same NIMBY protests that other types of energy plants face whenever a new one is proposed.
Solar panel systems can be expensive, especially at start up. A photovoltaic system that’s large enough to run an entire household can cost $50K.
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