Energenics
Are you considering taking the plunge by getting off the grid and powering your entire household using solar energy, here are some advantages and a few disadvantages of installing and using solar energy.
- The energy the sun provides to the earth in one hour, if stored and collected correctly, could power the world for one year.
- Solar power technology and installation has made massive headway
sglobally, making it more affordable to install and maintain, while using nature to keep homes powered and running.
As with anything in life going the more natural route is always the best option and the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.
Advantages:
It’s natural, all you need is the sun.
- Your monthly energy bills will be cut down based on your solar capacity. By using solar energy and power you reduce your electricity and gas costs astronomically, you may even receive payment if you have surplus energy that you can export back to the grid.
- Solar is a renewable source of energy; it is used all over the world and Africa has abundant sunshine year round.
- No need to be reliant of power supply companies and no unexpected power cuts.
- Maintenance costs are low, the panels just need to be kept clean and their performance monitored.
- Solar energy is perfect for areas which currently have no access to any energy grid.
- Solar energy can be stored for night time use
- It can be increased incrementally: you can start with a simple back-up for load shedding and later add solar panels to supplement your Eskom usage or replace it completely.
- Solar panels have a service life in excess of 20 years.
Disadvantages:
The cost of installing a solar system can be relatively high, however it does have a good return on investment.
- Solar energy is dependent on the sun, although it can still be collected to a degree during inclement weather.
- Roof size or ground space can be an issue for larger systems.
“We are like tenant farmers chopping down the fence around our house for fuel when we should be using nature’s inexhaustible sources of energy – sun, wind and tide. … I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.” Thomas Edison
