Wednesday 10 June 2015

Solar Panels vs Generators

Pro's and cons of Solar panels vs Generator



Generator 


A natural gas generator works in a manner similar to other generators. In fact, the most basic difference between generators is the fuel that is used to power the units. In this case the source of energy to start the generator is a natural gas. Such generators are commonly used in larger cities since the supply of fuel is made readily available through pipelines. But aside from its obvious advantages, natural gas generators also have several disadvantages.

Advantages 
• The three most obvious pros of using natural gas as a fuel to power your generators is that it is cleaner, less expensive than other non-renewable fuels, and is considerably efficient.

• In comparison to oil and coal, the emissions of sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) are considerably lower. Hence, natural gas is one of the cleanest fossil fuels when it burns.

• Another advantage of natural gas generators is that natural gas does not produce a pungent odor, which is fairly common in generators powered by oil or diesel. 

• Natural gas generators are also effective in reducing costs when used to power homes. This is because electricity from the main utility source is a far more expensive alternative.

• Apart from being cleaner and cheaper, natural gas is also readily available in large cities since it is delivered directly through pipelines. Hence, when using natural gas powered generators, storage of fuel becomes redundant.


Disadvantages
• When it comes to the cons of natural gas generators, one of its advantages can also be regarded as a disadvantage. Since natural gas need not be stored as it is supplied through gas pipelines, at times of natural calamities the supply of natural gas is disrupted. You may find yourself facing a lack of fuel when you need to operate your generator the most.

• Apart from this, natural gas is extremely explosive and can be a serious fire hazard should the pipeline burst.

• In comparison to diesel generators, natural gas generators are:
  
- More expensive to run
- Emit more carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas.

• Moreover, natural gas is a limited or non-renewable energy resource.

Solar Panels

The most common type of home solar power system features photovoltaic (PV) panels that convert sunlight into electricity. These panels are typically mounted on the roof and angled to face the sun.
Advantages of solar for the home
Free energy – The sun provides the “fuel” to generate power for the home’s electrical system and components. This saves money on electricity bills. If the home is set up for net metering, any excess electricity generated by the solar power system can be transmitted to the grid and sold to the utility in the form of a credit.
Clean energy production – Electricity generated by the sun produces no harmful emissions. This reduces the home’s carbon footprint.
Installation incentives – Federal, state and local jurisdictions periodically offer grants, tax breaks, discounts and rebates for the installation of renewable energy products, including solar systems.
Reduced dependency – Generating your own solar power using panels on your roof means you are not as dependent on utilities and the electric power grid to provide your electricity.
Disadvantages of solar power for the home
Inconsistent fuel source – The sun doesn’t shine brightly 24 hours a day.
Some locations have trees or taller buildings that could shade your roof. Even during the long days of summer, the sun’s direct rays can occasionally be obscured by clouds. On such days the system is less efficient. Excessively high outdoor temperatures can also reduce efficiency of the system.
High initial cost – Even with multiple incentives, a solar power system may still cost tens of thousands of dollars. Smaller systems can also be expensive to install. Cost depends on the home, its location, size and purpose of the system, the goals of the home owner, and the amount of work needed to prepare the house for the new system.
Site preparation – If the system is a retrofit (not part of new construction, but built on to an existing structure), expenses related to reconfiguring the house’s electric system will be necessary. There also may be a need to upgrade or alter some of the home’s infrastructure systems, especially the roof where the solar panels are installed. These upgrades will be in addition to the cost of the solar power system.
Maintenance – Generating your own electricity means that the upkeep of the system is in your hands. PV panels need to be cleaned periodically so that dirt and debris do not reduce efficiency. In the case of a severe storm, it will be up to you to arrange for a qualified professional to repair any damage.

3 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing this blog. I like the way you write and explained this blog. Its really worth reading this blog.
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  2. Thanks for providing such an informative content. It was worth reading about several important advantages of solar.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is an extremely well written and informative article. And I really like the way you have explained each and everything so well. Very well done with the article.

    ReplyDelete