If you are considering installing solar panels in your home or office, you have likely come across some of the many myths surrounding solar energy. While it's easy to understand why these myths exist, they are just that – myths – and arise mainly from a lack of understanding of solar panels and how they work. This article addresses some common misconceptions about solar energy.
Solar energy is too expensive
Many people believe that switching to solar power is too expensive to be worth. To be fair, installing a solar panel system for the first time is certainly a financial investment. But it's an investment that will ultimately pay off and save you money. If you have a solar panel system, the energy your home or facility uses is drawn from the solar panels rather than an electricity company, so you can get $ 0 in electricity bills from the utility company.
Solar panels only work in sunny weather
Because solar panels work by generating solar energy, potential buyers may fear that they will not work on cloudy days. However, this is not the case. Even on a cloudy day, the sun is still shining, and solar panels can still collect the photons from those rays to power you. It is true, however, that solar panels operate less efficiently in cloudy conditions than in full direct sunlight – most experts agree that this value is around 25 percent. If you are concerned that your solar panels will regularly have low efficiency, you should consider installing a solar battery. A solar battery collects and stores excess energy generated on highly efficient days for later use.
Solar panels don't work in the cold
Because heat and sun usually go hand in hand, many people tend to associate sun with heat and assume that solar panels work better in hot weather than it does in cold weather. In reality, the opposite is true. Solar panels, like most electronic devices, work better in cold weather than in extremely hot weather. Your solar modules will work better on a cold but sunny winter day than on a 90-degree summer day.
Installing a solar panel will damage your roof
Although solar panels can be installed on the ground, they are usually installed on roofs. Hence, it makes sense that people fear that installing it would cause damage. If properly installed by a professional, your roof will not be damaged by the installation of the solar module. On many roofs, when installing solar panels, holes are drilled to secure the solar panels. However, your installer will also install covers to ensure that your roof remains undamaged and leak-free. If you find that your roof is damaged after installing a solar panel, contact a professional immediately. Your system has likely not been installed properly, which can be a security risk. In addition, solar panels actually extend the life of the roof under the panels as they absorb the harmful UV rays that break down roofing materials.
Upon investigation, it is clear that these common misconceptions about solar energy are largely unfounded, and none of them provide a compelling reason to avoid installing solar panels. If you are considering installing solar panels, contact us here at Solar Liberty for solar advice. We will help you decide whether a solar panel system is right for you.