Solar Energy Advantages and Disadvantages

There are many advantages, and even disadvantages, of using solar energy to satisfy our world’s power needs. We’ll look at both in depth.
Advantages Of Solar Energy
Solar energy is free. There is an initial capital cost but once you have made the investment the energy harvested from the sun costs you nothing. No one will be sending you a bill for sunshine.
Solar energy is abundant. Even in mid winter we are blessed with a moderate amount of natural daylight provided courtesy of the sun. Okay, it might not be sunny everyday but we are still experiencing radiation from the sun and it is this which can be gleaned for our own renewable energy purposes.
Solar energy is clean. It is a clean alternative to fossil fuels and nuclear power and it will never run out. It’s silent. Solar power can be captured anywhere without creating noise pollution that might otherwise up set neighbours and wildlife. It works wherever the sun shines. It doesn’t matter how remote, solar can generate energy where no other form of power can be obtained.
Solar energy is cost effective.

Solar photovoltaic are still relatively expensive, however, the technology is growing rapidly, as is production and as a result the costs involved are coming down. Solar hot water panels have been greatly improved in recent years and, with lower cost, payback times for domestic systems can no be as short as five years.

As coal, gas and oil prices continue to rise solar energy will become a viable alternative. It’s secure. We live in uncertain times and we are increasingly relying on our fossil fuel supplies coming from areas abroad over which we have little or no control.
Disadvantages of Solar Energy
Continuity of supply. Those of you who live and work in some areas may have noticed that the sun doesn’t shine for 8 hours a day every day. Fortunately the latest technology allows more of the sun’s energy to be captured even at relatively low levels. There is also the opportunity to create hybrid renewable energy systems that take advantage of the synergy between solar and wind energy.
Cost. Even if solar power is a viable alternative to mains power, the initial capital cost may be prohibitive for many. There are some grants available; however, as yet these are not sufficient to encourage widespread investment in the technology.
Location is important. Correct location of solar panels is of the utmost importance and not every building can benefit from a solar array. Ideally, panels need to be facing south and shouldn’t be subject to any shading.

The Cost of Solar Energy

Is solar power more expensive compared to conventional energy? No! Solar power is not expensive and is much more cost effective in the long term.
In the last 15 to 20 years cost of solar modules has now come down sharply to $4 per watt from a high of $20 per watt in 1985. This would continue to reduce and would be one of the major factors which would facilitate the take off.
However, in terms of solar energy there is no level playing field as in the case of conventional energy. The total fiscal funding for all the renewable energy sector put together is less than Rs 600 crores. This has to be changed for making it more feasible and popular.
Today one of the main deterrents in switching on to solar energy is the initial capital cost that has to be put in by the consumer.
There should be some mechanism where instead of paying for example Rs 15,000 at one go for a solar power system for electrification of a house one can pay in installments as a monthly or quarterly bill as in the case of conventional energy.
After the cost is retrieved in a stipulated time frame, the customer owns it and would get free power for more than 30 years. Also, the banks should be mandated to give loans for solar power equipments for end user as part of priority lending sector.
These factors would definitely improve the current scenario and help us meet the target.
India has cutting edge technology, global quality and competitiveness in the global perspective. India has implemented silicon nitride coating process on multi crystalline cells which enables production of solar cells with highest efficiency in terms of mass scale production.
The clear proof of our competitiveness and acceptability in the global market is the fact that 55 per cent of our total sales is from exports (Rs 137 crores) out of which 95 per cent is from developed countries like US and Europe.
Thus the facts show that India has the biggest potential with regards to the consumption and application of solar energy.