Five Common Misconceptions About Solar Energy 

Solar power is the fastest growing source of new energy, and for good reason. The sun is supposed to shine for the next 50 billion years and the sunlight that reaches Earth in one hour is enough to provide electricity to the planet for an entire year.

And while more people are turning to this renewable energy to save money on their utility bills, some are still not convinced about the advantages of solar.

Partly it’s due to a number of misconceptions that still linger from the early days of photovoltaic (PV) energy power systems.

Below are some of the things that people get wrong about this source of natural power.

It’s too expensive

The prices for solar panels and inverters - the two most important and expensive parts of any home solar energy system - is at an unprecedented low. In fact, it is now 300% cheaper than it was 40 years ago, while efficiency (how much sunlight is converted into electricity) has grown exponentially, reaching upwards of 20%.

The price of a median home solar installation is now between $11,000 - $14,000, with plenty of rebates and incentives, including the current 30% federal solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) that will go down to 26% starting in 2020. Better hurry and get those residential solar panels this year!

But the bottom line is that most homeowners can now afford to pay for solar out of pocket or with a credit card, and they will see savings immediately after their utility company approves the solar installation.

Not only that, but if you decide to sell your house, A U.S. Department of Energy study showed that buyers will pay up to $15,000 more for a solar-powered home. 

Solar systems don’t provide enough power

When properly installed and sized according to your energy needs, a domestic solar power system will be able to power your appliances to full capability. In fact, most solar panel installations will generate extra power during the day, which you can sell to the electric grid in exchange for the power you get from it at night, lowering your bills even more. 

Solar doesn’t work everywhere

Desert or mountain, warm location or frozen tundra, solar panels are going up across the country.

In fact, the Alaska Journal of Commerce just published a story this week noting that a “new industry is lighting up Alaska”. More and more residents of “The Last Frontier” are turning to the sun to power their homes and businesses.

“Over the last four years, Arctic Solar Ventures in Anchorage has seen 200 percent year-over-year growth, according to owner Stephen Trimble. This year, the business will mark its first megawatt, or 1,000 kilowatts, of installed solar power,” the story noted.

Solar irradiation levels vary across the United States, but every state receives enough sunlight to make solar a good investment. Solar panels will continue to produce a significant amount of energy even on cloudy or overcast days. 

Remember also that solar panels work with light, not heat so it doesn’t matter how cold it gets outside. In fact, solar panels perform better in cooler temperatures than very hot temperatures.  

Solar panels require a lot of maintenance

Apart from regular cleaning to remove dirt, leaves and other debris from the surface to prevent the blocking of the sun’s rays, there’s no need to move, or any major maintenance of PV modules. The rain can usually take care of it, especially if your modules are tilted.  

You should also watch out for any shade that falls on the panels during the day.

Also, solar Panels are durable and can resist golf ball sized hail at 100 mph. Solar Modules are made with tempered glass like the windshield of your car. Solar panels are solid state, no moving parts and have a 25-year production warranty.

Solar panels damage the roof

Yes, there will be holes drilled into your roof, as the mounting hardware that holds the solar modules attach to the rafters, but installers add long-durable (25-year) sealant to fill in any gaps, as well as flushing to prevent any leaks. 

PV modules actually protect your roof from the elements, acting as a barrier between it and harsh elements, prolonging its life. Another nice perk is that your attic won’t get as hot since your roof will be shaded by the panels. One study found that, under solar panels, the temperature of a building’s ceiling stayed five degrees cooler than the ceiling of a building without solar panels on the roof. On average, solar panels and the mounting equipment weigh 2-4 lbs per square foot, which is usually within the acceptable limits of your roof. And modules can be mounted on just about every roof, regardless of material or angle. Manufacturers have developed a myriad of hardware to place panels even in the most challenging of configurations. 

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