Solar energy does, however, have significant drawbacks. Since it is intermittent and only produces electricity when the sun is shining, energy storage devices like batteries are needed to supply steady power. Weather factors, such as cloud cover, can also affect how effective solar panels are. Additionally, the construction of solar panels uses scarce resources and may have an impact on the environment. Despite these drawbacks, solar energy is growing in acceptance and is anticipated to contribute significantly to the shift to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.