Perhaps there really is a yin and yang to the universe, since it seems like even the best things in life have a dark side. Too much cheesecake will make you sick, and drinking too much water can harm your health. Over-exercise and you stand to get injured; a vacation that goes on too long will begin to feel like work.

When considering whether or not to go solar, the same wisdom seems to apply: There are advantages and disadvantages. The key to making the decision, then, lies in knowing enough about each to weigh your options so you can make the best decision for you.

Here is a closer look at some of the advantages and disadvantages that lie in wait for anyone seriously considering going solar.

When the Sun Don’t Shine

The most obvious disadvantage of going solar lies in the simple fact that the sun doesn’t shine 24 hours a day or plentifully all the time and everywhere. Solar panels that aren’t receiving sunlight stop producing electricity. This reality can make nightfall, cloudy days, or simply being located far from the equator problematic.

That being said, batteries to store solar power are constantly being improved. Tesla’s new battery can conceivably store enough energy from the day’s solar production to power you through the night. Japan’s investment in solar involves two 40,000 – 50,000 kilowatt storage systems that aim to address times of low solar power production. Then there’s also the option of sending unused power back to the grid for later use, as well.

The Upfront Cost

Another concern people have about solar is that the vast bulk of its cost exists at the outset. While solar’s price tag still has a reputation for being hefty, the reality is that the cost of buying and installing solar panels has dropped dramatically. Going solar costs about half of what it did in 2008 and roughly 100 times less than in 1977.

Still, going solar can set you back thousands of dollars just to get set up. While you stand to recoup that money through utility savings over the years, or through increasing the resale value on your home or business—coming up with the initial cash up-front can be a challenge.

In order to offset the initial sticker shock, many solar companies offer multiple options for financing, such as lease options and interest-free loans. You can also look into getting a line of credit from the bank that holds your mortgage, since solar panels usually increase a home’s value.

The Clear Benefits

When it comes to the advantages of going solar, they are legion. Saving money on your utilities and reducing your carbon footprint to slow or stop climate change and mountaintop removal is just the tip of the solar advantage iceberg. Consider:

• Solar power provides tens of thousands of jobs, and that number is growing.
• The sun’s energy is more reliable than the limited supply of and accessibility to fossil fuels.
• Nobody owns sunlight, which can give individuals, families, and organizations more energy security than can reliance on fossil fuels.
• Solar power can help provide international security, too. For example, Ukraine has been able to reduce dependence on Russian oil and gas imports to the tune of $3 billion thanks to solar power.

The choice to go solar, like all choices, has pros and cons. However, it’s clear the advantages are winning over the disadvantages more and more.

If you’d like to find out how installing solar panels on your roof can help you drive your electric bill down to zero, contact us today for a free quote.