What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy?

The current energy situation in Spain and in other European countries has led to high electricity bills that are unsustainable over time, and as a result of this problem, solar energy is becoming more important than ever and self-consumption is becoming more and more attainable.To support this energy transition, both national and local subsidies are being offered to help consumers who wish to take advantage of the benefits of solar energy in their homes to make the switch.

In this article, we will look at the social, economic and environmental advantages and disadvantages of solar energy.

Solar energy, both thermal and photovoltaic, has a lot of advantages that you can take advantage of, and we are not only talking about the positive impact on the environment, but also about other relevant factors to mention:

The expansion of photovoltaic solar energy is not limited to the national level, but has spread internationally, not only in residential self-consumption, but the horizon has broadened to use it in industries with solar farms or companies that see this inexhaustible source as the perfect alternative to be more sustainable and efficient with their resources.The benefits of solar energy cover multiple areas.

However, here are 4 advantages of solar energy to enjoy self-consumption in Spain. Here you have the singularities that make the territory a great opportunity:

Saving energy is one of our main concerns. The energy crisis is not an overnight event. Before Russia went to war with Ukraine, we already had a serious problem in our energy model.But what has happened? The war has accentuated this crisis, causing continuous increases in electricity prices and other items such as the gas cap that are becoming a problem both for you and for companies that cannot meet these costs.

Yes, you reduce the consumption of your home, but it is of little use because your monthly bill remains the same or, as has happened in many cases, it has risen.

We cannot control these fluctuations, but what we can do is switch to an energy source that does not leave our pockets clean at the end of the month.

And that renewable source is called solar energy. It is free and inexhaustible, you will only have to make an initial investment and, for this, there are subsidies that encourage self-consumption that facilitate the purchase. However, our solar subscription model allows you to switch to clean energy by investing 0 euros. You will only have to pay a small monthly fee as you do with Netflix or similar platforms. Believe us this will save you a lot more.

In addition, all the energy produced that you have not been able to consume, will have an economic compensation for those surpluses, coming from your electricity company as long as you maintain the connection to the grid.

It may not be anything else, but in Spain there are plenty of hours of sunshine. This means that the energy production you can generate is extremely profitable, with up to 300 days of sunshine a year, so imagine the amount of energy you can produce and use for your daily energy consumption – a marvel!This together with the high price of electricity, you can save up to 50% on your electricity bill. What’s more, we advise you to do all activities that require electricity during the sunny hours to further increase these energy savings.

Considering the current situation, solar energy helps to greatly reduce the dependence on the conventional electricity grid. The good news is that not only can we enjoy self-consumption for domestic use, but it also allows us to opt for sustainable transport with electric car chargers or achieve greater self-sufficiency thanks to solar batteries, finally forgetting about our energy supplier.

What happens if you want to sell your house? You are in luck because your house will be revalued thanks to the installation of solar panels on your roof, increasing its value by up to 5%. In this way, the investment will be amortised even earlier than expected, and many buyers value solar panels as an important element when making their decision.

The disadvantages of solar energy are very few. Here they are:

We can differentiate between two types of solar energy:

Having clarified both terms, which one offers us more advantages? It is true that photovoltaic has more uses and applications, although thermal energy has a lower cost, but the useful life time and the applications it can be used for do not compensate as much.Let’s take a look at what photovoltaic solar energy has to offer compared to thermal energy:

Having pointed out the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy, we conclude with the following key points:

Frequently asked questions about solar energy

Why is now the ideal time to switch to solar energy?

In the past, installing solar panels at home was thought to be complicated and time-consuming. However, due to government regulations we have managed to make this process very simple.

How to contribute to environmentally sustainable development?

By focusing on the fulfilment of SDG 13 climate action! As a homeowner, you can make a tangible contribution to the fight against climate change with solar energy:

• You actively contribute to a sustainable, low-carbon future through major institutional and technological changes.
• You generate clean energy from renewable resources
• You connect to a clean energy world in a responsible way.
• You reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere by promoting solar energy.
• You fight to keep global warming below the threshold set by the Paris Agreement.

Is solar energy a truly clean technology?

Solar photovoltaic energy is considered a 100% clean energy source and is so called because it is only considered to improve very specific environmental aspects at a certain stage of its life cycle: use.

The largest carbon emissions caused by the use of photovoltaic panels are those associated with the production of modules. Large amounts of energy are used to convert silica sand into the high-purity silicon needed for photovoltaic wafers. The assembly of PV modules is another resource-intensive step with the addition of energy-intensive aluminium frames and glass roofs.

In addition tothe pollution generated by the extraction and production of the components, there is also the pollution generated during transport.

Can I disconnect 100% from the conventional grid?

It’s a great plan! Being 100% independent and sustainable is possible with Solar Energy and not as complicated as it seems. Still, you will need batteries to use electricity at night and they are a bit expensive. Normally, we recommend to wait a few years and start with solar panels only for the time being – you will make a big saving with a reasonable investment! But if you want to be fully self-sufficient and off-grid, we will take care of that for you.

Does the production of solar panels pollute the environment?

It is estimated that modern photovoltaic panels generate the energy needed for their production in 2 years, while their useful life is more than 25 years, during which time they will continue to generate clean energy.

What is the installed solar photovoltaic capacity in Spain?

We already know that solar energy is an inexhaustible source and that in Spain we have more than 2,500 hours of sunshine per year, which means that we can take advantage of its great energy potential. Solar energy has the least impact on the environment and is the most competitive in countries with this resource, as is the case in Spain, according to UNEF.

Thus, the installed solar photovoltaic capacity in Spain already exceeds 13,000 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity in 2021 (11/1/22)

How many houses do we need to equip with solar panels in Spain to achieve the energy transition?

On the vast majority of roofs in Spain it is possible to install photovoltaic energy sources. Nearly 8 out of 10 roofs on residential properties in Spain are viable for the installation of solar panels.

Madrid is the region with the highest capacity for the installation of this energy source (88%) and the regions with the highest percentage of roofs available for the installation of solar panels on homes are followed by Navarre (87%) and Murcia (85%).

How to reduce emissions with solar self-consumption?

✔️Una solar installation is the best way to generate your own sustainable energy.

✔️Por example: installing 8 solar panels of about 3.5 kW of power means 4,700 kg of CO2 saved (i.e. not emitted into the atmosphere) per year.

✔️You can help the Planet from your roof!

What are the environmental benefits of solar energy?

The use of solar energy, like other renewable energy sources, reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

It produces fewer air pollutants, such as sulphur dioxide and particulate matter that can cause respiratory and health problems.

Why is solar energy a good choice for the environment?

We know that climate change and environmental degradation are challenges we face around the world. If we can make energy greener, it will improve air, water and soil quality.

How do I help the environment with my solar panels?

Do you know the phrase “think global, act local”? It is environmental awareness against global warming. We are convinced that change begins with each individual and that every action, such as installing solar panels, counts if we want to leave future generations a better world. We have the opportunity to be protagonists of tomorrow’s planet, being sustainable and helping to reduce climate change.

What can I do with the energy produced?

The energy produced by your solar panels has three outlets:

❕It can be used in your home, perhaps for lighting, appliances.

❕It can be stored in your stationary batteries

❕And it can be sold to your traditional energy supplier, who provides you with energy when the sun is not shining, and you will be rewarded for it.

What will the 2030-2050 solar energy transition look like?

Decarbonising the energy sector and reducing carbon emissions to limit climate change are at the heart of the global energy transition roadmaps. In these roadmaps to a clean and sustainable energy future, the role of solar PV will be key in transforming the global energy system.

✔️De 2 years from now: “500,000 solar roofs” and European funds.

✔️De 2030: Spain on the road to decarbonisation.

✔️De 2050: European Green Pact

Consider solar energy as your main source of electricity.

If you are looking for a clean, sustainable source of energy that allows you to take advantage of all its economic benefits, solar energy is an excellent option, its multiple benefits are spread across different areas and what is clear is that self-consumption will always bring positive aspects.Are you curious and want to know how much you could save? Then don’t hesitate. Try our calculation tool for self-consumption and find out how much you could save with a photovoltaic system.