Advantages of Solar Energy
1. Solar is a proven technology.
The history of photovoltaic solar power began with scientific experimentation during the late 1800s. The first PV silicon cell was introduced in 1954. It was capable of converting the sun’s energy into power that could run electrical equipment. By 1983, worldwide PV production exceeded 21 megawatts. Currently there are 47.1 gigawatts of total solar capacity installed nationwide. Solar is a proven technology. Its adoption as a source of clean energy will continue.
SunPower’s long history in the industry is an advantage. We’ve had plenty of time to perfect and improve our solar products. The company has been in business for more than 30 years and globally has installed more than 8.2 gigawatts. That’s more than 25 million solar panels! SunPower® solar panels offer the most efficient technology on the market. They are durable and have an expected useful life of more than 40 years.1
2. Solar works in many climates.
Many people believe that solar won’t work in colder climates. That’s not true. Solar panels actually work more efficiently in colder temperatures because excessive heat can reduce output voltage. More hours of direct sun exposure will indeed help a solar system generate more electricity. However, modern panels are quite efficient. They can still generate energy in low light situations. Someone living in Seattle, for example, just may need a somewhat larger solar array to get the same results as someone in Southern California. Bottom line: Solar works anywhere there is daylight.
3. Solar is more affordable than ever.
The price of a solar system has dropped significantly. Between 2016 and 2017 alone, the cost dropped 9 percent, and prices continue to decline. In many markets worldwide, solar power is less expensive than conventional energy. There are a variety of financial incentives available, such as tax rebates and state policies, that help make going solar affordable for more families and businesses. There are also a variety of solar financing options, from no-money-down leasing2 to home improvement loans that make solar more affordable. With SunPower, you can buy, lease or finance a solar power system. If you purchase a solar power system in the United States, you may be eligible for a 30 percent federal income tax credit and other local incentives.3
Businesses, schools, and government entities may qualify to use federal investment tax credits. They can also adopt accelerated depreciation for commercial solar panels.
4. Solar energy benefits the whole electricity grid.
Around the world, excess solar energy can be used by the conventional utility grid. This usage reduces the burden on the whole system. Depending on local policies, solar owners may even be compensated for that contribution. For example, feed-in tariffs exist in some international markets such as Japan and parts of Europe. In most U.S. states, there are net metering policies. Net metering is a billing strategy. It essentially pays solar users for their surplus electricity. This is done by giving them credit against their use of the electrical grid at night. (For more, read about net metering here.)
5. Solar panels have a long lifespan.
Solar panels are quite durable. They can withstand even harsh weather conditions. This includes the impact of hail up to one inch in diameter. Only 1-in-20,000 SunPower panels are ever returned.4 Check out this video about why SunPower panels are so long-lasting.
7. Solar panels can increase home values.
One of the advantages of solar energy is that the addition of PV panels generally increases home values. A recent study by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory analyzed about 22,000 home sales. Almost 4,000 of these homes use PV solar systems in eight states. It found that a typical PV system added about $15,000 in value. 5
8. Solar is a nonpartisan energy source.
Solar isn’t just for hippies. It is being embraced by people across the entire sociopolitical spectrum. Homeowners covering all demographics continue to install solar energy systems. Fortune 500 and oil companies are also installing solar systems. Governments and schools across the world are choosing solar energy too. Mainstream banks are financing solar. Progressive solar policies have been driven at the state level by Republicans and Democrats alike. The environmental benefits of solar power are undeniable, but it’s being embraced widely because it makes good financial sense.
Disadvantages of Solar Energy
1. Solar doesn’t work at night.
Some people interested in solar might wonder if, by going solar, they can live completely off the grid. This isn’t realistic in most applications of solar technology. While many solar companies, including SunPower, are investing in home battery storage solutions, the batteries are not quite yet a widespread option for most homeowners. Solar energy is mostly used in real time, with any excess delivered back to the conventional utility grid. Solar households rely on utility grids for power at night and in other situations where sunlight is limited. However, for commercial solar users such as schools, government facilities and businesses, this is less of a limitation thanks to SunPower’s solar + storage solutions.
2. Solar panels are not attractive.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but today’s solar panels are generally sleek, compact and fit snugly against the roof. We take particular pride in our SunPower Equinox™ home solar system. With its minimalist design, we’ve eliminated unnecessary hardware and utility boxes on exterior walls. The inverter box is hidden behind each panel, which looks more attractive AND maximizes the amount of power your system can generate. Our proprietary InvisiMount® frame is nearly invisible, so the panels appear to float just above the roof. Buyers also have the choice of our SunPower® Signature™ solid black solar panels, which have a distinctively elegant appearance.
3. You can’t install a home solar system yourself.
You might think that not being able to install solar yourself is a disadvantage. However, letting the experts handle it turns going solar into a very simple process. (See our Five-Step Guide.) Professional solar installers have expertise designing solar systems for homes and businesses, ensuring the system captures the maximum amount of sunlight available and saves you the most money on your electric bill. SunPower dealers know local permitting rules. They can make that process go as smoothly as possible. Someone with electrical experience needs to handle the wiring. You can get a free consultation. This will help you find out what it takes to switch your home or business to solar energy.
4. My roof isn’t right for solar.
It’s true that solar won’t work on every building, depending on shading and roof orientation. To optimize your solar system, you need plenty of roof space. This space should receive a lot of sunshine. Solar companies are familiar with working through these issues. During your free consultation, you’ll find out how a solar system will best fit on your property. It’s worth noting that SunPower solar panels are the most efficient you can buy. You need fewer of them on your roof, allowing you to generate more energy in a smaller space. That high efficiency also means our panels are better at generating more energy in low-light situations. Even if your roof isn’t fully in the sunlight, your system will still be making electricity. Our inverters are behind each panel. If one panel is in the shade, the others will be able to pick up the slack.
5. Solar hurts the environment.
Solar panels are a manufactured product. As with any building processes, there is an environmental impact. This ranges from the chemicals used to make the panels to the transportation and beyond. However, solar is one of the least-polluting forms of energy generation available. And, SunPower builds the most environmentally friendly solar panels possible. We set high standards for environmental and social sustainability. Our “Beneficial by Design” philosophy aims to be a regenerative force on the environment and society. Our DC panels have achieved Cradle to Cradle CertifiedTM Silver recognition. Additionally, our Light on LandTM program highlights our leadership in environmental stewardship.
5. Not all solar panels are high quality.
There are a wide variety of panels on the market. Each has different levels of efficiency, durability, reliability, output, and design. We strongly recommend that you do some research before selecting panels for your home or business. Consider how each factor impacts your system’s output. Think about the long-term cost savings you can expect. It’s worth it to invest in top-quality solar panels. After all, what other technology do you have around your home or business? Do you expect it to still be working for you three decades from now? We are so confident in our panel quality. We offer a best-in-industry 25-year Power Warranty. We also provide a Product Warranty for home or commercial use.
