What are some disadvantages of Solar Energy?

- Solar energy relies upon enough sunlight reaching the photovoltaic cells – on cloudy days here may not be enough sunshine to produce sufficient electricity and production shuts down completely at night so back-up energy sources are necessary.
- Currently, solar panels are expensive to produce and therefore also expensive to purchase.
- Solar panels can currently only convert a maximum of 34% (and around 22% for the majority of panels) of the available sunlight into electrical energy, although more efficient panels are being developed.
- Because sunlight is diffuse, a large number of solar panels are needed to produce adequate amounts of electricity, necessitating both expense and space.

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Solar energy is an inexhaustible source of energy with the most potential as it will continue to produce solar power as long as sun is there. Solar energy is totally free, available widely, produces no pollution, no emission, no noise and no carbon footprint. Cost however poses a major hindrance which makes it impossible to harness the energy which is available all over the earth. Except few locations like Antarctica and Polar Regions, all over the earth receives consistent and steady sunshine for almost whole year.


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Solar energy is great for supporting peak demand, but doesn’t provide a great source of base load energy. Communities powered by renewable energy are best suited by hybridized sources of electricity – for example wave power to support base load and solar (or a comparable source) to support peak load. But there are many more advantages than disadvantages of solar energy.
* The initial cost is the main disadvantage of installing a solar energy system, largely because of the high cost of the semi-conducting materials used in building one.
* A solar energy installation requires a large area for the system to be efficient in providing a source of electricity. This may be a disadvantage in areas where space is short, or expensive
* Solar energy is only useful when the sun is shining. During the night, your expensive solar equipment will be useless, however the use of solar battery chargers can help to reduce the effects of this disadvantage.
* The location of solar panels can affect performance, due to possible obstructions from the surrounding buildings or landscape.



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