Is Solar Energy Really Worth It?
Mar 28, 2023 7:01 am
Is Solar Energy Really Worth It?
2 min read
Solar power, solar energy, solar radiation, sun energy, insolation – whichever of these terms you use to refer to the energy that comes from the sun and is converted to electrical energy, chances are, you know what this concept is.
According to Our World In Data, in 2019 just over 2% of global electricity came from solar. So, if solar is so worth it then why isn’t everyone using it?
Solar energy has its pros and cons and to fully understand whether or not it is worth it, we will take a brief look at the few main pros and cons.
Pros
- Lower electricity costs – perhaps the largest and most spoken about pro of going solar. Depending on the size of your solar PV system, you can end up saving 50-100% of your electricity bill.
- Little to no maintenance – solar PV systems rarely require maintenance, and when they do the cost is usually a couple thousand Rands a year. The bulk of these costs are often covered by the warranties.
- Reduces your carbon footprint – according to the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, around 80% of South Africa’s electrical energy is supplied by coal power. Cool Effect reports that the carbon output from solar power is approximately 20 times less than that of coal powered electricity.
- Increases the value of your home – although this one is still being debated in South Africa, I think we can all agree that when deciding between a home that has solar and one without, all things equal, we would go for the solar powered home. In the US, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that every dollar saved through solar increased home value by $20, and real estate company, Zillow, found that homes with solar sold for roughly 4% higher than homes without solar.
Cons
- Weather sensitive – solar requires sunny weather for long periods in order to be deemed “worth it”. Solar panels harvest about 75-90% less energy during cloudy or rainy days.
- Upfront costs – depending on the size, roof structure and maybe even area, solar PV systems can cost anywhere between R60 000 and R200 000 to install.
- Requires favourable roof structure – it is said that brittle nature of wood and slate roofs might make it difficult for installers to walk on, which will increase the cost of installation. GreenCoast reports that on average the solar panels and mounting equipment weigh between 10-20 kg per square meter. Roofs that are split into many sections that face many different directions are not ideal for optimum energy intake. They can also increase installation costs due to increased complication of installation method. In the southern hemisphere, north-facing solar panels receive the most energy.
- Use a lot of space – it is estimated that 18-27 solar panels are needed to take a typical house completely off-grid. This often uses more roof space than some houses have.
Summary
Whether or not solar is “worth it” can largely be dependent on specific situations, so be sure to consult with a solar installation professional to come to a proper conclusion. Looking purely at the pros and cons, it is totally dependent on the buyer’s position and how each pro and con affects them.
In my opinion, solar is definitely worth it. I just don't think anything beats taking strain off the grid, being in control of your own electricity costs and reducing your carbon footprint.
Do you think solar energy is worth it? Share your thoughts by replying to this email!
For more information on energy consumption, or any other energy related articles, view the blog posts on my website and be sure to open my weekly emails every Tuesday at 9am CAT.
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