Note: this is part 2 of my pros and cons of solar power. You can read part 1 here: Pros and Cons of Solar Power (part 1: What they don’t want you to know)

In part 1 we discussed 3 pros of solar power which relate to why solar power is one of the best investments you can make at this time and what the government does not really want you to know about powering your home with renewable energy.

In this second part we will discuss 5 additional pros and cons of solar power that are also important when considering if solar power is right for your home.

Pro #4: Solar Power is Low Maintenance

We are so used to having direct access to power from the power company without ever having to think about. And everyone would like to keep their home energy system much the same way. So the last thing you want is to build a home energy system that requires a lot of maintenance.

Solar panels contain no moving parts which makes them very low maintenance and which is one of the big benefits of solar power. All that is really required is a yearly rinse or two in order to remove dust and debris build up that can reduce the efficiency of a solar panel over time.

Pro #5: Solar Power Does Not Pollute

Another great pro of solar power is that it is a renewable energy source that does not pollute the earth. While most people are focused more on the cost savings, being environmentally friendly is still a great benefit. In fact there are not too many ways to save money that involve helping the future of our planet.

On the other hand, most of the home electricity from the power grid is generated by burning coal. When coal is burned it releases carbon dioxide as one of its byproduct which is primary cause of global warming. It also releases many other harmful substances like sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are the leading causes of acid rain, smog, and air toxins.

You should also be aware of the negative health effects of heavy metals. When coal is burned it also releases many of these very same heavy metals into the air including mercury, arsenic, and cadmium.

When looking at all of the pros and cons of solar power you might be thinking that there really is no downside to solar power. But there are a few cons that still need to be addressed.

Con #1: Solar Power Does Not Generate at Night

One of the biggest cons of solar power is that it can only be generated while the sun is shining. So unfortunately it cannot be produced during the night after the sun has set. Because of this, you must have a way of storing solar energy in order to use it at night.
This is accomplished in one of two ways. If you are connected to the power grid then you can use the power grid to store you excess energy for nighttime use by way of net metering. Or you can use a battery bank to store the excess energy directly at your home.

Con #2: Solar Power Is Not Suitable for All Locations

It is also important to determine if your location is suitable for solar power because not all are. Typically the more days of sunshine the better and some locations are commonly overcast and rainy which would keep you from getting the most out of your solar panels.

Con #3: Cost of Commercial Solar Power Systems

The cost of commercial solar power systems can be in the range of tens of thousands of dollars which can be an instant turn off to many people interested in using solar power. These hefty price tags are definitely one of the cons of solar power.

But with a little bit of work on your part, there are many ways to build a home solar power system for a mere fraction of that price. In fact, more people today than ever are finding that they do not need these expensive systems to generate their own power. Instead they are beginning to build their own homemade solar panels from scratch.

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