| In my blog I have talked about our 'addiction to oil'. And | | | | *The initial costs are large. Buying solar panels and |
| while it's true that only major, international action can | | | | having them installed at your home costs a lot of |
| permanently stop that, and the greenhouse effect with | | | | money, and while you may get that money back after |
| it, we can and should of course all do our part. That's | | | | a couple of years from the energy savings, the large |
| why I'd like to go into the pro's and cons of having your | | | | initial investment can be prohibitive. |
| own solar power generated at your roof top through a | | | | *Efficiency depends on your location and the climate. If |
| set of PV-panels (photo-voltaic panels). It's becoming | | | | you live very northerly, or in a place with very few |
| more and more common, and in my village there are | | | | hours of sun, solar panels will be much less efficient |
| quite some people who have it. But do you know | | | | then when you live somewhere in the middle of the |
| everything that's involved in installing and maintaining | | | | desert. |
| such an installation? I didn't… But now I do, and | | | | *Works only when the sun shines. Quite obvious, but |
| I'd love to tell you. | | | | important to remember. You'll always need a |
| So, let's get started! I'll start with the pro's, then do the | | | | connection to the energy grid, or a large set of |
| cons, and finally give some points to remember. | | | | batteries for cloudy days, and nights. |
| Pro's | | | | *You'll need a large, well-lit area to have any real |
| *It's good for the environment. This is very obvious, but | | | | effect. So, that usually means a large roof which points |
| still, I think this is for many people one of the main | | | | to the south. Small roofs, or only a single panel |
| reasons to go solar. The sun's rays are freely | | | | somewhere on your balcony will probably not gain you |
| available, and by using them to power your home and | | | | anything. |
| your appliances, power plants don't have to burn so | | | | Something else to think about |
| much carbon-based fuels for you. | | | | Solar panels give your house an entirely different look. |
| *It saves money. After the initial investment, of course. | | | | Previously, many solar arrays were square, and were |
| But once you've made that investment, you use less | | | | mounted on top of your actual roof, as can be seen in |
| energy from power plants, and have to pay less to | | | | the picture at the top of the page. Recently, solar tiles |
| those power plants. If your solar panels are big enough, | | | | have been taken into production as you can see here. |
| you might even earn some money! | | | | It will probably have less of an impact on your house, |
| *Low maintenance. Solar panels have no machinery, | | | | but still, it might be something to think about. |
| there's almost no maintenance involved, and what little | | | | Well, I guess this has turned into a pretty complete list. I |
| maintenance there is, is usually covered by the | | | | hope this way, you can make an educated decision, |
| warranty | | | | should you ever decide to go for solar energy. I must |
| *Tax friendly. Many governments provide tax breaks | | | | say, I see what the problems are, but personally, I |
| or tax credits for citizens if they buy solar panels. This | | | | believe that they can all be overcome. Sure, some |
| can easily prevent financial problems when buying | | | | disadvantages may be inconvenient, but I think they |
| solar panels. | | | | can quite easily be overcome. |
| Cons | | | | |