PV Gap

Lydia Said:

What are the pros and cons of solar energy?

We Answered:

There are two basic kinds of devices currently in commercial use to capture solar energy.

One device captures solar energy as heat. The most common device is designed to heat water.

The other device converts solar energy to electricity. That device is known as a solar photovoltaic cell.

The device that heats water is very inexpensive, produces no greenouse gases, and has a very low capital cost.

The solar photovoltaic system has the advantage that it produces electricity, and produces no greenhouse gases..

The disadvantages are very high capital costs, and substantial maintenance costs.

Over forty years ago an inventor named Ovshinsky claimed that he would develop an "amorphous system" for solar photovoltaic cells which would be much cheaper than using crystalline silicon in the solar photovoltaic cells.

Mr. Ovshinsky persuaded a large number of environmentalists to invest in his technology. The only problem was that Mr. Ovshinsky was never able to make his technology work.

The people who invested millions of dollars with Mr. Ovshinsky lost all of their money.


Finally we are promised that there is a new technology that does not rely on crystalline silicon for the solar photovoltaic cells and this material will be much cheaper.

I hope the story about the solar photovoltaic cells that do not require crystalline silicon is correct this time.

I am sick and tired of having my hopes raised by all these promises of fantastic new technology that will be widely available in a few short years only to have my hopes dashed again and again.

Peter Said:

What are some pros and cons of solar energy?

We Answered:

Solar energy is good because it is a renewable resource, we can use it over and over again. Its does not damage the environment. However it can be costly and it can only work during the day.

Ella Said:

what are the pros and cons of solar Energy?

We Answered:

The negatives include:


The worst thing about solar energy is that it is typically expensive to install. This means that the effective cost of the power is high compared with just buying it from your local utility company.
Solar panels can take up a lot of space.
You may find that your roof is not at a good orientation or angle to the sun, which would make the installation on your roof less effective or not possible.
You can't make solar power at night, so you have to have a way to store it.
Your power output will also be affected by bad weather.

Positives include:
The greatest thing about solar energy is that it is virtually free to use.
Solar energy causes no pollution when you generate it.
You can get financial incentives from the government to help you pay for your system.
Companies are starting to produce rental plans that allow you to avoid the large capital costs.
There was a law passed a couple of years ago that allows you to "sell" your excess power back to the utility, reducing or eliminating your bills, and covering your need for power at night.
You don't need to order any fuel to be delivered to your house, and you can't run out.
Solar power does not suffer from inflation and increasing prices.
Typically there are no or few moving parts to a solar installation, cutting down on maintenance.
Solar power can be generated anywhere, even if there is no local electrical supplier, so you can have power in remote areas.
Using solar power reduces the amount of fossil fuel burnt, and decreases greenhouse gas creation.

Sherri Said:

What are some pros and cons for solar energy?

We Answered:

Pros is that solar energy is a renewable source and doesn't produce harmful pollutants like the burning of fossil fuels.

Cons are that photovoltaic cells and systems used to capture and convert solar energy is costly and you have to have room to install it.

Lillian Said:

What are the pros and cons of solar energy use?

We Answered:

The biggest pro that I could think of is that the sun's energy is a renewable resource.

The biggest con would probably be the high price it takes to install/make a solar panel. Either that, or the payoff made from generating your own power would take at least several years to make back.