Disadvantages of Solar Energy

Solar water heaters will not only reduce the electricity bills but will also offer numerous other advantages in a cost-effective manner.

• Here are the few advantages of solar water heater:
• Zero-cost.
• Efficient.
• Cheap installation.
• Save space.
• Save for environment.
• Low maintenance.
• Wrapping up!

Pros and cons of solar hot water

• Cost. The initial cost of purchasing a solar system is fairly high.
• Weather-Dependent. Although solar energy can still be collected during cloudy and rainy days, the efficiency of the solar system drops.
• Solar Energy Storage Is Expensive.
• Uses a Lot of Space.
• Associated with Pollution.

10 years

“For those looking for further cost efficiencies in their home, Solar PV can be used to heat water, you do not need to install specific solar hot water systems, which our study has shown are less cost efficient,” said Ecoelectric managing director Jeff Wehl.

The Gas Hot Water System Gas hot water systems use combustion to heat water and pipe it throughout the house. It’s more efficient compared to solar as it’s still effective even in cold weather and colder climate.

On average, if you install a solar water heater, your water heating bills should drop 50%–80%. Also, because the sun is free, you’re protected from future fuel shortages and price hikes. If you’re building a new home or refinancing, the economics are even more attractive.

The solar energy can be used in direct heating such as water heating and it can be used in electricity generation. Normally solar water heaters are more efficient and cost effective than the PV electric generation. So, PV generated electricity is never used in heating except under very controlled conditions.

The average solar water heater costs about $3,500. When you add labor and other cost factors, most homeowners end up paying anywhere between $2,000 to $5,500 for the installation.

The answer is yes. The solar water heater in winter works well because of efficient insulation that means when the temperature remains cold during winters, radiator fluid technology gets used in solar water heaters. So, you get hot water all the time even in extremely cold weather.

200 degrees

– A solar geyser can save up to 90 percent of your family’s water heating costs. – There are also many savings on ongoing costs as the solar geyser does not require a mains connection and reduces your electricity bill. – The weather-resistant tubes have the ability to withstand hail and frost.

Eskom is happy to advise that South Africans can still apply for rebates on the purchase of SABS and Eskom approved solar water heating systems following installations by Eskom accredited installers. SABS testing ensures that the solar water heater meets the minimum requirements for quality, performance and safety.

When using the electric element it takes 2 to 2 ½ hours to heat a 300-litre tank. When relying solely on solar power, it could take 4 to 5 hours to heat a 300-litre tank.

Total installation cost estimate of R80 000 – R120 000, rebate being around R30 000 – R40 000) Large Business Use / Factories or Business Parks: Large scale installations such as this will need to be quoted on per job more carefully, as can carry a price tag of anywhere between R100 000 and R450 000.

One of the determining factors in figuring out how many solar panels you need is the number of people in a household. A 6kW solar panel system is recommended for a home with over five people, while a 5kW solar system is typical for a home with four people.