From Guest Blogger Luis Parsons: Pros and Cons of Solar Roof Tiles
The average solar panel price in the Philippines is about 2000 pesos, and that’s just enough to cover just a small portion of your roof. It is an investment and is certainly worth the price, but like everything else, having solar roof tiles has its fair share of pros and cons.
In this article, you will find what you’re in for when you have solar panels installed in your home, and what those pros and cons are. Read on.
The Pros
- Free Energy
You will be getting energy from the sun, which isn’t owned by anyone, so it’s free. Your electricity bill will be noticeably lower since you will be relying less on power from the electricity grid—or you could even stop relying on it completely. This also means that you have your home is practically immune to blackouts. - Clean and Green
Power generated from the sun isn’t reliant on fossil fuels—it produces no carbon emissions, and is environmentally friendly. - It Increases Your Home’s Value
Solar roof tiles are a huge asset to a home. They are quite hard to find in the Philippines, so a house with solar panels installed is reasonably pricey. If you ever decide to sell your house or put it up for rent, you can place a good price on it because of the solar panels installed.
The fact that you have a perpetual supply of power alone is enough to justify getting solar panels installed. However, while they do provide extremely good features, they aren’t perfect and have downsides as well.
The Cons
- High Initial Costs
As mentioned earlier, solar panels can be quite pricey. The effectivity increases with the size of your roof, but so does the value. If your home wasn’t originally designed for solar panels, you will also need to spend some additional money on your house’s electrical systems will need to be reconfigured. - The Amount of Sunlight is Inconsistent
The sun will always be there, but there are other factors that could affect the sunlight that gets to your roof. Your solar panels will be getting less energy during cloudy days and none at all during typhoons. There could be nearby trees or a building that could obstruct the sunlight. - It Takes Work to Maintain
Over time, dirt and debris will accumulate on the panels. They are subject to damage during strong storms. Cleaning and maintaining them is no task and is more difficult the more panels you have installed.
In addition, solar roof tiles are for the long-term, which means they aren’t a good idea if you are planning to move within the year.
Key Takeaway
Solar roof tiles, depending on the quality, can work wonders if installed properly and in the right environment. It will get always generate ample amounts of energy since the Philippines is a tropical country, but environmental factors are always unpredictable.
If you plan on installing them, make sure that you have the time to maintain them to keep them efficient. They can be costly at first but will provide a lot of benefits in the long run.
