Many people are becoming more and more conscious of the environment as news about global warming becomes more mainstream knowledge. There are new companies popping up all the time trying to find new ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Well one of the simple ways that all of us can embrace to reduce our impact on the environment is by use of alternative energy sources. Solar energy is one of those alternative energy sources. In the following article we will explore the various benefits and disadvantages of solar power.

Lets first start with the disadvantages of solar energy. First of all solar panels need a pretty big initial investment as they can be quite expensive. Also they are less cost effective than fossil fuels right now. But the technology is always improving and the cost ever decreasing. Now for the benefits: solar panels are easy to install, produce zero emissions, and are great for the environment. Not only that but the cost to produce them is going down from over $4 a few years ago to under $1 just recently.

The best thing about solar power is that it is great for the environment. With no emissions, solar energy leaves no carbon footprint and utilizes an endless supply of energy. Everyone is getting in on the green movement – even big name corporations like Google and Walmart.

Even when it is overcast, new technology allows certain solar panels to capture enough energy for the day. It works by storing extra energy on sunny days when the power isn’t being consumed as much and then when it is rainy or overcast it uses that stored energy.

There is another type of solar panel setup know as a PV system. The system is connected directly to the power grid and the extra power produced by any panels on the grid is utilized by other homes.

So as you can see solar energy is actually a viable method of energy generation that people can utilize to reduce their carbon footprint. While it may be expensive for some, if you can afford the initial investment you can enjoy years of clean renewable energy without impacting the environment any more than is necessary.