The myths of solar energy

Solar energy is a new enough technology that you might think there are not many myths and disinformation regarding this new energy source. Wrong. Due to misinformation, some myths exist about solar energy and we're here to set the record straight. Technological innovations are credited for many advances that have made solar a cost-effective means of generating electric power. Following are a few examples.

Myth: Solar energy is too expensive for most applications. Fact: The claim that solar energy is too expensive is outdated and continues to be proven incorrect. The average cost of solar panels fell 75 percent between 2009-2014 alone, and some analysts predict the cost of PV panels will drop another 25 percent by 2018. The result is that in many areas around the world, electricity from solar is cheaper than electricity from coal, oil, or natural gas. This produces clean energy like solar and puts solar in place as one of the world’s fastest growing industries. Solar already makes up more than 20 percent of the world’s electricity production. When you use solar energy to do things like power homes or schools, you’re helping defend humans from higher carbon emissions, air pollution, and the calamitous impacts of climate change.

Myth: Carbon dioxide isn’t the main cause of global warming. Fact: 97 percent of climate scientists are in total agreement that human activities are the cause of the global warming we are experiencing now. What is the thing humans do that causes all this global warming? We burn fossil fuels. Scientists knew our planet was changing a long time ago, primarily due to carbon pollution from the burning of dirty fuels like oil, natural gas, and coal. Alterations in the radiation the sun releases – known as “solar variation” – affects the climate too. But scientists account for this and examine the contributions these changes make to our climate, which today are negligible compared to those from carbon pollution. It’s clear from decades of climate science that man-made carbon dioxide pollution is overwhelmingly responsible for the global warming we’re experiencing now.

Myth: Clean coal is the answer to all our energy problems! Why should we invest in solar when we have clean coal? Fact: “Clean coal” is a misnomer; there's no such thing yet discovered by man. In reality, “clean coal” is a false solution. Coal is a dirty fuel no matter how you look at it. The coal mining process blasts away mountaintops and leaves toxic slurry ponds behind. Burning coal results in emissions that are harmful to human health. Those emissions contain fun things like mercury and smog. Worldwide, more carbon pollution comes from the burning of coal than any other source of energy. Don't listen to orange haired apes telling you about "clean coal."!

Myth: Solar power isn’t worth it because solar panels won't work in locations that are cloudy or cold. Fact: Solar power works even in cold or cloudy places. In truth, solar panels are just as effective in cooler temperatures as in warmer ones. While it’s true that clouds affect the efficiency of solar panels, they can still generate enough power to be efficient sources of electricity. Germany, for example, is a country that is not considered sunny but it remains the world leader in solar energy.

Solar power is here to stay, and the sooner you explore how much you can save, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits of residential solar power.

Please visit our solar blog to find out more about the benefits of going solar.

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