Solar panels can be installed on the exterior of your home as an alternative method of energy sourcing. The panels capture light particles that generate power for your home, which provide a variety of functions. For the environmentally conscious household, they are an excellent addition to your home to reduce your carbon footprint. However, they aren’t without their faults, as with most products. So, it’s worth doing your homework to deduce if they’re the right investment for you. We’ll help you make a decision by breaking down the environmental pros and cons.
Solar Panels Reduce Carbon Emissions
These panels are an energy-efficient, eco-friendly alternative to finite fossil fuels. They require very little to function; all they need is clean water and the right equipment. This drastically contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gases, which is a step in the right direction. If you’re searching for methods to lower your carbon emissions, infinite energy sources are a great place to start.
Reduced Energy Costs
As solar energy can cover some of your energy requirements, this means you will be using less through conventional means, which means less expensive bills! In turn, lower energy bills will also reduce the carbon footprint of your household.
Form Of Renewable Energy
Solar panels draw their energy from the sun, which is an unlimited resource for us to utilise (at least for another few billion years). Switching to solar energy allows you to reduce your carbon footprint, as well as the strain on finite materials that are toxic to the environment.
While these are convincing benefits, there are some downsides to also consider:
Expensive To Install
They are still relatively niche, so they can be a pricy investment. Make sure you source a reputable company for installation to avoid problems down the line. Even if this process is expensive, you’ll save yourself costly repairs and an untimely replacement in the long run.Â
Dependent On Weather Conditions
As the name suggests, solar power requires the sun to work properly. Depending on the weather conditions, you’re not guaranteed optimal solar energy output, which can be problematic depending on where you live. Areas that are frequently cloudy, overcast or rainy are not ideal. Another caveat is that they’re less effective during winter, as panels can’t collect sun rays at night.
Are Solar Panels Truly 'Green'?
While well-intentioned, there are debates into whether or not they’re 100% eco-friendly. The short answer is no. This is because the creation process involves mining materials that produce carbon emissions. They are also linked to pollution because of installation and transportation methods, but these are considerably more difficult to fix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ideally, you should have your solar panels cleaned every 6 months. You will have to clean them more often if they frequently underperform.
Technically yes, but there is a risk of carbon emission production during the dismantling process. Not all of the materials in solar panels are recyclable, but research is being continuously conducted in this area.
While they are weather dependent, occasional bouts of rain won’t interfere with the sun rays. They can even be beneficial and stave off dirt and grime between professional cleaning appointments.Â
Solar Panels Cleaning Service With Duraseal Roofing
Solar panels offer benefits that even non eco-warrior households can appreciate, but they’re not for everyone. Whether you already have them or are considering an investment, Duraseal Roofing offer high-quality solar panel cleaning services to keep them in top condition. For more information or to arrange a free, no-obligation quote, contact us on 01685 876818. Our friendly and professional team are always happy to help.
