Solar panels under dark clouds The disadvantages of solar energy are few but notable. Solar energy is taking the country by storm. Locally, here in Arizona, there are quite a few available homes with solar in Maricopa County. There are lots of reasons why people are open-minded about solar power. Still, solar has some natural enemies that will never be overcome.

Will the scientific world overcome those obstacles? That remains to be seen. Even as the battle ensues it seems that solar users are coming out ahead if they are investing in the proper system up front and remaining in their homes long enough to realize the savings versus initial investment.

Here in this article, we will take a look at each of these obstacles. We will introduce the problem and open up the conversation. We even suggest some of the resolutions that get you through each of these.

🤑 Disadvantages of solar energy – Cost

The Cost of electricity is driving alternative energy research. Solar leads the way. Once thought to be a fringe industry solar is now capturing the interest of our country. Millennials like it. Don’t leave seniors out. They like it so much that entire 55+ communities are joining in on the trend. Is it all about the money?

Apparently not. One of the big disadvantages of solar energy is the cost itself. The systems are not cheap by any means. A 6 kilowatt will run between $10,000 – $13,000, and a 10 kilowatt system will run between $17,000 – $22,000 depending on the grade of equipment, and the profit margin of the company selling and installing the equipment.

This fact compels us to urge you to get multiple quotes from competing companies alike. Some of the smaller companies don’t have the marketing and admin overhead that the large national companies do. It makes sense to shop around and then compare the bids. Doing so will typically save you thousands.

🌬 Weather Dependent

barn with solar panels and two cartoon people standing outside If the sun isn’t shining the power is not getting generated. Plain and simple. So, that’s why some places have a distinct advantage to homeowners. There are on average 152 days with sunshine in Seattle per year. In Pittsburgh there are 160, and 211 in Phoenix. This has a big impact of determining how long it takes to recapture the initial cost of the system.

🌚 Impossible to Produce at Night

coal mine entrance tunnel with cartoon character miner Today the storage of power made by the sun is expensive. Once the cost and efficiency of the storage systems improves the floodgates to a new wave of systems. Some say that this problem is solved by selling the power back to the grid indeed. Thus, the problem there is that the power company wants top buy it on the cheap, and then sell it back to us at a profit. It’s basically like being held hostage.

Analogy of a Coal Miner

My grandfather worked in the coal mines of Pennsylvania for decades. Early on he was issued

Imagine, being able to draw power on Friday night that your system generated and stored for you 4 days ago even if it’s been cloudy on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. That will allow solar owners to really be free from the big power companies.

The lack of super efficient and cost effective power storage (batteries) is a big disadvantage of solar energy. This is something that scientists are working on feverishly. Those who are pioneering these advances see use on demand being made more realistic as batteries are made to be even more efficient.

Moreover, some of the most achieved minds and learning institutions in the US are leading the way. Certainly the differences between tomorrows storage systems will far better than todays.

🌞 Solar Storage is Expensive

Today the storage of power made by the sun is expensive. Once the cost and efficiency of the storage systems improves the floodgates to a new wave of systems. Some say that this problem is solved by selling the power back to the grid. The problem here is that the power company wants top buy it on the cheap, and then sell it back to us at a profit. It’s basically like being held hostage.

Analogy of a Coal Miner

My grandfather worked in the coal mines of Pennsylvania for decades. Early on he was issued

Of course, the lack of super efficient and cost-effective power storage (batteries) is a big disadvantage of solar energy. Next, this is something that scientists are working on feverishly. Those who are pioneering these advances see use on demand being made more realistic as batteries are made to be even more efficient. Some of the most achieved minds and learning institutions in the US are leading the way. Certainly, the differences between tomorrows storage systems will far better than todays.

See Solar Homes in Maricopa County – by Price

👺 Panels are Bulky and Unattractive

In fact, Tesla and Elon Musk are committed to putting an end to the industrial looking solar panels that ruin the curb appeal of homes everywhere. Then, certainly architects care about the appearance of their creations. Therefore, those guys and gals will be cheering on these new, better looking solar collectors being created by Tesla.

Thus, the new systems will actually be the roof or integrate with existing roof materials so well and that they will be difficult to tell from the materials they are inspired by such as clay roof tiles, slate roofs, and other more common materials.