What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar panels?
In 2021, according to Enedis, 110,000 homes were equipped with photovoltaic panels. According to the forecasts of the Electricity Transmission Network, this number could reach 4 million homes in 2030. A colossal growth towards the production of green electricity! And for good reason, the advantages of solar panels are numerous: significant reduction in electricity bills, positive environmental impact, guaranteed return on investment... This exponential multiplication of panels on French roofs not only underlines the country's commitment to renewable energies, but also proves the real qualities of this technology.
Here is an overview of the pros and cons to guide your choice.
The advantages of solar panels
Renewable energy source
Solar energy is considered to be one of the cleanest and most abundant solutions. Some professionals believe that one hour of sunshine is enough to meet the energy needs of mankind for an entire year! For this reason, in particular, this energy plays an essential role in sustainable energy strategies.
While France is developing its solar capacity at high speed, the world scene is also seeing a rapid increase in solar energy production. In 2021, global photovoltaic electricity production reached 1,000 terawatt hours (TWh). The International Energy Agency forecasts that the contribution of solar energy should reach 6,970 TWh by 2030*, a sign of the massive adoption of this renewable energy source and its essential role in achieving carbon neutrality.
Another advantage of this renewable energy is that it no longer produces CO2 emissions once installed. This contributes directly to the global goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, by reducing CO2 emissions and promoting a transition to cleaner energies.
Autonomy and savings
The installation of photovoltaic panels also allows households and businesses to generate their own electricity, thus reducing their dependence on the fluctuations in electricity prices. This autonomy can be fruitful and also makes it possible to resell unused solar energy at current feed-in rates.
To explore how MySmartBattery can reduce your energy expenses and resell the excess, you can perform a simulation.
Low maintenance costs
Photovoltaic solar panels are renowned for their durability and require little maintenance, making them economically beneficial in the long run! On the maintenance side, this is limited to periodic cleaning to remove dust or debris (branches, leaves, etc.), thus guaranteeing maximum efficiency.
Did you know that? The guarantees offered by mylight150 cover the panels for a period of up to 30 years, ensuring optimal performance over an extended period of time.
The disadvantages of solar panels
Dependence on weather conditions
Although solar panels are an innovative energy solution, their performance depends on certain conditions. Electricity production may vary depending on the quality of solar irradiation, weather, season, shade, or temperature.
Thanks to technological advances, panels are now designed to minimize these fluctuations as much as possible. Our panels use advanced technologies (bi-facial, heterojunction) that allow them to function effectively even under less ideal weather conditions, thus reducing the impact of seasonal and daily variability on energy production.
High initial cost
One of the main obstacles to the adoption of solar panels is the initial cost, which is relatively high. Even though the price of photovoltaic installations has fallen in recent years, the initial investment is still significant.
Namely: Of grants and grants exist to help the French take the plunge. Tax credit, zero interest loans, self-consumption premium, reduced VAT and obligation to purchase excess electricity thus facilitate access to this technology. The choice of its solution will also have an impact: at mylight150, we promise a quick return on investment: only 8 to 9 years, surpassing the market average of 10 years.
Solar panel recycling
One of the misconceptions about solar panels is that they are not or only slightly recyclable. The industry is moving towards more sustainable methods day after day. The panels are now designed to be recyclable at the end of life : up to 95% of the materials in a solar panel can be recycled, thus reducing the environmental impact associated with their disposal.
These challenges highlight the importance of careful planning and management when adopting solar energy. But technological advances and supporting policies are increasingly improving the cost-effectiveness and environmental impact of solar panels.
Info: A common misconception about the environmental impact is that photovoltaic panels, like batteries, are very polluting to manufacture. In reality, although their production is energy-intensive, they become ecologically profitable in less than a year. This period is even shorter for heterojunction panels, which require less energy to manufacture.
Assessment: advantages and disadvantages of photovoltaic panels
What do we take away from it? It is clear that this technology offers a great opportunity to progress towards energy autonomy while reducing the environmental impact. The benefits of solar panels, such as their ability to provide a renewable energy source, their potential to reduce energy costs over the long term, and their low maintenance requirements, make them an attractive option for many homes and businesses.
Challenges such as dependence on weather conditions, high initial cost, and environmental issues associated with panel manufacturing and recycling require careful consideration. Fortunately, with technological advances and financial aid available, these obstacles are becoming more and more manageable.
For those ready to take the step towards more sustainable energy, mylight150 offers tailor-made solutions. Find out how you can not only improve your ecological footprint, but also make significant savings on your electricity bills.
* https://www.planete-energies.com/fr/media/article/developpement-solaire-photovoltaique-dans-monde