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The discussion of switching to solar energy has accelerated over recent years. With so much misinformation circulating about electricity and the traditional means of getting it, homeowners and business owners may struggle to decide whether to invest in solar energy.
We know it can be overwhelming to sort through all of the information, and we want to help simplify this important decision for you. Below, we’ll dive into the basics of solar energy and the most important pros and cons that you should consider before investing.
Understanding Solar Energy
A great first step into making the switch to solar is to better understand how it works and the role it plays in a cleaner tomorrow. While we could easily go into an in-depth, technologically advanced conversation explaining the ins and outs of solar technology, here are the simple baseline things you should know about how solar energy will work to power your home or business.
How Solar Power Works
The process starts when sun rays hit the panels, which are generally installed on a building, lot, or yard. The sunlight is absorbed into the photovoltaic (PV) cells and stored within these panels. The energy stored is “excited” by the sunlight and ultimately converted into electricity.
This electrical current provides a consistent source of power to anything connected to the solar grid. Any energy that is not used is stored within the panels for future use, making it a great, reliable source of energy for homes and businesses of all sizes.
Take the EcoFlow DELTA Series Solar Generator, for example. This generator is an all-in-one device that can store solar energy to power an entire home if the grid were to go black. As the traditional electric grid continues to age and become threatened by overuse, it’s important to invest in a backup power solution that is up for the challenge of keeping your home or business powered up.
Advantages of Solar Energy
There are so many important advantages to making the switch to solar. If you’re still on the fence, here are some benefits you’ll quickly notice once you make the switch.
Reduced Electricity Bills
A tremendous initial benefit you will notice quite quickly after switching to solar is a reduction in energy costs. Solar energy is produced and stored during sunny hours of the day, making it more cost-effective and efficient to supply energy to your property.
You may even find that investing in solar energy has additional financial benefits. New legislation in many states rewards home and business owners for supplying the initial costs to install solar panels and related technologies to ensure a sustainable and cleanly run property for years to come.
Be sure to research your local government’s website to see if you qualify for any of these important tax breaks or benefits.
Renewable & Sustainable
Everyone needs to work toward a greener and more sustainable future. Making the switch to solar is a huge step in the right direction for home and business owners, and it will help you save money while reducing your carbon footprint.
As mentioned above, choosing renewable and sustainable energy sources rather than bogging down the electricity grid will present you with new benefits and fewer financial penalties than you may have otherwise faced.
Environmentally Friendly
By harnessing the sun’s power, solar panels have little or no harmful environmental impact. Spending money on these solar panels helps reduce your footprint in your home or business and is an excellent step toward combating the adverse effects of climate change.
While solar energy alone may not solve all of the world’s environmental issues, it’s a huge step toward a greener and more environmentally conscious future.
Increases Property Value
Investing in items like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Solar Generator (PV400W) and EcoFlow Solar Panels for your property can actually increase its resale value. More and more people are eager to take advantage of this renewable energy source and will move quickly to purchase your property if it were to be listed with these important installations already completed.
Available Anywhere
No matter how far off the grid you may live or run your business, solar energy is readily available. With a stronger push for people to switch to solar across the board, investing in this renewable energy source for your home or building has become easier than ever.
Homes and businesses in remote locations have equal access to this renewable energy source, making it a great investment no matter where you are.
Disadvantages of Solar Energy
As with anything, there are some disadvantages to using solar energy. Here are some of the top concerns you should weigh up when making your decision.
Cost
As mentioned throughout this piece, the commitment to using solar energy is not cheap. The upfront expenses can cost you a lot, especially if your home or business has high energy requirements.
Before proceeding, weigh your options, determine the cost of properly harnessing this green energy source, and ensure that it’s within your budget.
Takes Up a Lot of Space
Solar panels are not small, and for good reason. They need to be large to capture the sun’s rays and convert them to energy. If space is a concern for you, you may need to get creative and find another energy solution for your property.
Aesthetic Concerns
In addition to taking up a lot of space, solar panels are also not particularly pleasing to the eye and may not align with your aesthetics. This is something to consider, as you will have to sacrifice a certain level of design in order to have solar properly installed.
That being said, solar panels are becoming increasingly popular and will likely become increasingly accepted as a design statement for homes and businesses. This is truly the way of the future and will certainly influence exterior design in the years to come.
Dependent on Sunshine
Rainy seasons and daily nightfall are two unavoidable issues regarding solar energy. Energy will remain stored in the panels after a sunny day, but the production of new solar energy is fully dependent on sunshine. This may be something to consider if you live in a particularly overcast location.
Difficult to Install
While this doesn’t apply in all cases, some roofs may make it difficult to install typical solar panels. It takes a skilled professional to safely and effectively design where solar panels will go, which can be quite costly on the more challenging properties. There are, however, workarounds to this concern.
The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus (220W) is a perfect example of how solar panels can instead be installed in a yard or lot near the building to reap the rewards of solar energy without the complicated installation on a challenging roof or structure.
Is Solar Energy Worth the Investment?
Solar energy is worth the investment and offers a long-term solution to many electricity concerns.
Homeowners and business owners are doing themselves a disservice by not taking advantage of solar’s many benefits simply because the investment may seem a bit steep at the start. You’ll quickly see the financial benefits of switching to solar, and we guarantee you won’t regret making this important decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Solar energy, while a very reliable and clean energy source, has some drawbacks. This form of energy can only be generated when the sun is fully shining, meaning a cloudy day or a lengthy overcast season may limit the overall energy production. Nighttime hours also present a problem for harnessing the power of solar energy.
While there are plenty of upsides to solar fields, there are downsides you should consider. These fields require significant upfront investments, which creates a barrier to entry for some people who may otherwise be interested in this energy source. Maintenance costs and general fees associated with solar energy are also relatively high compared to more traditional energy sources.
Final Thoughts
It’s clear that the pros of solar energy far outweigh the cons. If you can justify the upfront costs associated with this renewable energy source, you’re one step closer to embracing the future of energy and will soon see the fantastic benefits of solar power’s cleanliness and efficiency.
Ready to make your first investment toward the future? EcoFlow’s Solar Generators are an excellent way to get your foot in the door and see the rewards of solar energy firsthand.