Because solar panels function independently and do not require a connection to a power grid, they can be built from a kit in remote locales, according to Green Solutions. They can also offset energy consumption from utilities as well as supply power during outages. From a macro perspective, the use of solar panels curtails the need for foreign oil and thus helps build a sustainable economy.
Different types of solar panels include amorphous, monocrystalline and polycrystalline paneling, as reported by Solar Always. Each type of PV panel engenders varying levels of efficiency and pricing structures. In addition, solar power array mounts fall into different configurations, such as tracking, fixed and adjustable. Depending on power needs, locale and availability of sunlight, the different mounts allow for flexible solutions.
Installation of solar panels requires minimal modification to the structure of the building, according to Green Solutions. Solar panels can be set up in a field or mounted on a roof. Once in place, the solar energy system can be scaled up to meet increased energy needs by simply installing more panels. Since solar panels do not require fuel to operate, maintenance is kept at a minimum.
Solar panels are equipped with battery backup to store energy for times when the sun does not shine or there is a power outage.
In contrast to rumbling, fuel-hungry generators with moving components, solar panels are still, clean and noiseless, according to Facts About Solar Energy, an Australian-based advocacy group. Because solar panels do not need fuel to operate, they do not release toxins--such as carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and mercury--into the atmosphere. The use of solar panels for energy does not exacerbate the problems of acid rain, climate change, smog and the expensive storage of nuclear waste.
After the upfront investment in solar panels has been recouped, solar energy is virtually free. In addition, the U.S. Department of Energy offers financial incentives to prospective buyers of renewable energy, as reported by Facts About Solar Energy. If the solar panel array is hooked up to the power grid, excess energy can be sold back to the utility in a net-metering scheme. Electricity bills may be substantially reduced if not eliminated. Moreover, fluctuations in the price of fossil fuel do not impact the cost of energy from solar panels.