⚙️ Areas for Improvement
The Dark Side of Solar Panels
Compared to burning fossil fuels, using solar panels are still a good idea. However, for solar to truly be able to handle a large portion of our energy needs, there are some current drawbacks that engineers are working to improve, some of them are:
- High cost: The average cost to install solar panels in the U.S. is about $12,000 after federal tax incentives, before the cost of labor and additional equipment. The good news is switching to a solar energy system could potentially cut your energy bill by 75%. Learn more on Market Watch
Prices continue to drop over time!
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), residential solar panel systems have dropped in price by an annual average of more than 60% over the past decade.
- Low efficiency: Even today’s most efficient solar panels convert only 20-24% of their available energy into power. The highest theoretical maximum efficiency is 85%.
Efficiency is increasing every year!
Researchers in the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have managed to achieve 47.1 percent efficiency using advanced cell structures and newer technologies. They hope to reach 50% in the future!
- Space needed for installing solar panels: Huge solar fields can take up hundreds of acres of land, which can contribute to environmental degradation and habitat loss.
Empowering biodiversity on solar farms
Researchers in the University of Georgia have found that solar farms can be used as refuge habitats for pollinators and other beneficial insects!- The unreliability of sun exposure: Since electricity cannot be generated during the night, you have to either store excess energy made during the day or connect to an alternate power source such as the local utility grid.
Solar batteries vs. Net Metering
Solar batteries can absorb any excess energy that your home does not use and be used for the times when the sun isn’t shining, without having to draw power from the grid. Another option is called net metering, a process in which you can earn money by selling the excess electricity back to the utility companies to power other homes or businesses.- High pollution from manufacturing solar panels: There are a number of other toxic and hazardous materials used in the production of solar panels, including cadmium and lead. Not to mention it takes a huge carbon footprint to manufacture the panels, such as burning fossil fuels for mining and importing panels from other countries.
Working out a Circular Solar Economy
A circular economy for solar panel materials would mean they are recaptured at the end of their life for reuse or recycling. This would both reduce large quantities of waste from landfills and provide valuable source materials for new solar modules.As you can see, solar technology is still in its infancy and many good ideas are surfacing every day.
What are your thoughts about the cons of solar panels? Do you think there are too many disadvantages of solar energy? What are your ideas to improve panel manufacturing and energy storage?
Learn more on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory website!