Negative Effects of Solar Cells

Our solar system is an underutilized source of energy. Solar cells make it possible for us to harvest this alternate source of energy, which is especially useful during an energy crisis. The use of solar cells is a practical choice for many people for many reasons, including environmental impact and fuel prices. However, there are a some issues and negative effects of solar cell technology to consider.

Startup Cost

• The first and most important negative factor associated with solar cells is the initial installation cost. Especially in home-based solar cell projects, not only do you have to purchase cells there are additional expenses such as wiring and other electric products which must be installed with the solar cells. Some states offer energy grants to help defray costs, but in many cases the expense is prohibitive.

Maintenance

• The maintenance of solar cells is also a drawback, as the sensitive electric boards that constantly face direct sun light have a limited life span: Cells must be replaced at least once a year.

Climate and Weather

• Without sunny weather, solar cells can fail to generate an effective amount of energy. Direct sun light is key. In cloudy areas where the skies are generally overcast or in heavily polluted areas where ample sun light has difficulty penetrating, solar cells are not an appropriate alternative energy solution.

Space/Area

• Solar panels must have ample space for efficient performance for commercial, home or office use. On a small scale, cells are often placed on a rooftop, but space is too restrictive on high-rise or very small buildings. Similarly, a large area is needed for industrial-scale solar cell installations. Cost savings can be greatly reduced in areas where land is expensive.

Interruptions

• Solar cells cannot collect energy at night or when enough sunlight is not available, reducing solar cells' effectiveness to only eight hours per day. Although add-ons such as UPS (uninterrupted power supply) and other storage solutions can help provide power around the clock, this peak- and drop-off energy source is not the most reliable.

Environmental Hazard

• Although, solar cell technology is considered very environmentally friendly compared to burning fuels, the components used in solar cells are hazardous to the environment and are frequently disposed of.