Anyone considering using solar energy by constructing solar power panels should consider the advantages and disadvantages of solar power before undertaking such a large project.  Individual homeowners and communities may think solar energy through solar panels will help their utility bills and help them save the environment however, being environmentally conscious is only one of the advantages of solar power.

Some of the positive advantages about solar energy begin with its primary benefit of being a cleaner and less toxic source of power.  Solar energy uses no fuel and produces no byproducts; this means there is no pollution involved.  Unlike oils and gases, solar energy can be extracted and reduce its carbon footprint to nearly zero while at the same time not produce any unnecessary pollutants.  Reducing a carbon footprint will help in the fight against global warming which is an important fight to many individuals. 

Another advantage of solar energy is that the solar panel, solar sign lights and solar power traffic signs need fewer amounts of maintenance than other forms of energy removing technology.  The primary reason for this is because there are no moving parts and there is no cost for fuel for a solar panel.

A number of of the disadvantages of solar energy include the initial cost of installing solar energy equipment, which can be overwhelming to a family or community; in order to achieve a good level of efficiency, solar panels require a large area for installation that many homes do not have; the location of the sun is what the solar system relies on most although this problem can be resolved with the installation of other components and the removal of trees.  Finding a suitable piece of land for the solar panels could also prove to be a problem for smaller communities.

Another disadvantage associated with solar energy includes inefficiencies, being expensive to build in the first place and manufacturing pollution.  Beginning with inefficiencies, the technology which helps produce solar energy is entrenched in science and facts, it is not always as efficient as it could be.