Bad:  It takes a lot of energy up front to mine the minerals and manufacture the solar panels.  Another negative impact is that it requires hazardous chemicals to manufacture solar panels, which requires companies to dispose of these chemicals properly.  Some companies do not handle or dispose of these chemicals in a safe and proper manner.  Recycling solar panels is not an issue yet but may become an issue in the future if used panels are just sent to landfills.

It is clean and renewable energy.  It reduces the amount of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere.  Using solar energy can lower one’s electricity bills.  Solar panels have a low maintenance cost.  Solar energy can be generated in any climate.  Solar panels could also potentially increase the value of a home.

Disadvantages:

Generating solar energy is difficult when it is cloudy, plus solar panels don’t work well for some roof types.  Solar energy is very expensive to store for use at night or when it is cloudy.  Also, there is a high cost to install solar panels in the beginning.

Fort Collins is located in a state (Colorado) that typically has a majority of sunny days throughout the year.

Finding cost effective ways to store all of the solar energy generated by the city so it can be used during cloudy, rainy or snowy days or also at night.