Common Misconceptions About Solar Energy

There is no doubt that solar energy is gaining more supporters year by year, as awareness about the benefits of clean energy services is spreading. Despite this, there is still a huge percentage of the population that subscribe to baseless misconceptions about solar panels and solar energy.

If you go solar, there is hardly any downside to it. Apart from reducing your carbon footprint and contributing your part in saving the environment, you also get to save a ton on your bills. These are the basics about solar energy that most people know. What they don’t know is that the following statements about solar energy are nothing more than common myths.

  • Solar panels are useless in cold climate
    For those who choose to go solar, Florida gets plenty of sunshine all year round, so this is hardly an issue. However, for those who own solar power home in other states where it tends to get cold or cloudy, this is a common misconception.

    The truth is that solar panels can work just fine even in cold climate. Even though they may not be as productive as they are on a bright and sunny day, they still convert all the sunlight that hits them into electricity. Take Germany for example. It is not a particularly sunny country, but is still the number one generator of solar energy per capita.

  • Solar panels will damage my roof
    Some people believe that installing solar panels on your roof will damage it, but this is far from the truth. In fact, solar panel does the exact opposite for your roof – it protects it. The thing is that solar panels are not directly placed on your roof itself, but several inches above it. So, it provides plenty of protection by covering it from natural elements like rain, snow and hail.

    And if you are worried that your roof type is not suitable for a solar panel, or you may damage it in the process of installing, you can put those worries to rest. Professional installers have years of experience and skills so they know what is right for your roof.

  • Solar panels do not work at night
    This is half-true, since solar panels, in fact, do not work at night due too the fact that there is no sunlight. However, this does not mean that they are completely useless after sunset. You can have a solar battery installed, where the excess electricity produced during the day is stored and you can use it at night when there is no light. If not, you can pull electricity from the grid too, since most solar panel systems are connected to it.
  • Solar panels are not affordable for the average home-owner
    Even though solar panels may require a high down payment, they are a huge investment. You will save so much on bills that in just ten years or so, you will have saved the amount you spent on them in your bills. Moreover, there are government incentives available, allowing for short payback periods. You can even earn profits regularly from Feed in Tariff.

In addition, keep in mind that due to increasing competition, solar panels and solar energy will experience huge drops in prices, so you don’t have to worry about the scrapping of incentives.

  • Solar panels require too much attention
    This is extremely untrue since solar panels require little to no maintenance. They last for around twenty-five years and are known for their durability and reliability. You may need to clean them no more than two times every year for maximum productivity and efficiency. Unless a huge debris falls on it, like tree branches for instance, there is very little reason to clean your solar panels.

 

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