What are the Disadvantages of Solar Power?
In theory, solar power should be one of the most promising alternative energy sources around. The process has a virtually perpetual source (the sun), creates no dangerous exhaust and would not leave a lasting carbon footprint on the Earth. But there are a number of disadvantages of solar power which have kept it from joining ethanol and hydrogen as viable alternative fuels for commercial vehicles and power plants. One of the main disadvantages of solar power is consistency and reliability. Solar-powered devices rely on the steady delivery of special atoms called photons to keep the electricity generating process going. As soon as the sun disappears behind thick clouds or falls below the horizon at night, the photons stop striking the solar panels and the power drops instantly. Some solar power can be stored in large battery arrays, but this arrangement would be impractical for motor vehicles and insufficient for major power stations. Solar power would only be viable with current techno
Doesn’t work at night. Very expensive to build solar power stations. Solar cells cost a great deal compared to the amount of electricity they’ll produce in their lifetime. Can be unreliable unless you’re in a very sunny climate. In the United Kingdom, solar power isn’t much use for high-power applications, as you need a large area of solar panels to get a decent amount of power. However, technology has now reached the point where it can make a big difference to your home fuel bills..