Pros and Cons of Solar Photovoltaic

Pros and Cons of Solar Photovoltaic

There are plenty of rumours circulating the internet regarding the feasibility of having a solar panel installation. So we have listed below some of the current pros and cons of having a solar installation.

Pros

1. Solar photovoltaic panel installations are still a good investment even when taking into account the latest Feed In Tarrif changes.
2. Solar panel prices have dropped by at least 45% making the overall installation more affordable and worthwhile.
3. Free electricity generation: Solar photovoltaic systems differs from solar thermal systems in that photovoltaic systems helps generate electricity, which can be used for various purposes while solar thermal can only help heat water.
4. Works even on cloudy days: Since light is what you need in order to generate electricity, the photovoltaic solar panels work on cloudy days too. However, due to low intensity of light on cloudy days, the effectiveness of photovotaic panels is reduced.
5. Cuts Energy Bills: Solar energy is free and solar photovoltaic panels can help you cut your energy bills by supplying some part of your domestic electricity needs. It can supply even 40% of your annual electricity needs.
6. Almost Zero maintenance: There isn’t much in terms of maintenance of solar voltaic panels. However, you must buy from a reputed provider of photovoltaic solar panels.
7. Government incentives: You have government incentives (feed-in-traffic program) to promote the use of solar energy in homes. Moreover, this also brings down your cost of acquisition of Solar Photovoltaic Panels. You can use the feed-in-tariff calculator to do your own calculations.
8. Clean energy means you save the environment: The electricity supplied to our homes in UK is mostly generated using fossil fuels and other natural reserves that are fast depleting and that have adverse effect on the environment (e.g. global warming). However, Solar PV is clean and green energy that has absolutely no effect on the environment.

Cons

1. The solar photovoltaic panels cost more than the solar thermal panels. Grants and incentives do provide some relief.
2. Large roof area or appropriate space needed: Solar photovoltaic panels can be quite large in size, so you need enough space for installing solar photovoltaic panels.
3. Dependent on intensity and duration of sunlight (effieciency of an installation can be calculated by our authorised MCS installers).