Solar power is one of the most widely used forms of clean energy today. Compared to hydropower, solar energy is still a relatively newer form of renewable energy; although it has gained increased popularity in a very short period of time. There are some misunderstandings about solar energy’s efficiency because it’s still somewhat new to its users.
Due to these misconceptions, some households and businesses are still reluctant to incorporate solar power into their daily lives, despite its many benefits. We will now discuss some common myths about solar energy and debunk them with logical reasoning.
Solar Power Systems Are Too Costly
This is probably the most common myth about solar energy in both households and enterprises. Some people avoid utilizing solar technology due to cost-concerns. The initial photovoltaic panel installation process does require an up-front investment, however in the longer term the solar power installation is expected to cost less due to the energy savings on other sources of energy (e.g. the power grid).
Grid-tied solar panels enable you to save a considerable amount of money on your monthly utility bills. It often provides you with positive cash flow as you can redistribute your surplus solar power back into the primary grid, increasing your electricity credits that you can use in later months.
Technology involved in solar panel production has vastly evolved over recent years, leading to significant reductions in solar array installation and maintenance costs.
Solar Panels Have A Short Lifespan
Like any other product, solar photovoltaic cells do have a specific lifespan in which they remain effective. However, some people have a common misconception that solar panels are only useful for a few months or years, and break easily, which is not true. The majority of the modern solar modules produced today can easily last for 2 to 3 decades or more, requiring little maintenance from time to time. Manufacturers of solar panels provide performance warranties for their solar panels promising at least 80% of initial generating capacity still useful after 25-30 years.
Solar collectors are also recyclable at the end of their useful lifespan. When appropriately recycled, solar array materials can be made into new products, to continue providing sustainable solar energy for another PV system life cycle (e.g. another 3 decades).
Installing Solar Panels Means Going Off The Grid
Although you can get an off-grid solar system for your home or office, which comes with solar power batteries, the majority of solar array installations are grid-tied. Installing a grid-tied solar module allows you to utilize solar power produced during the day and draw electricity from the primary grid after the sun goes down.
This doesn’t mean that you cannot fulfill all of your power needs with your photovoltaic panel installation. With a net-metering billing system, you’ll receive credits on electricity bills from your utility for excess solar energy produced during the day. So, if you generate more solar-based electricity than you use during a specific month, you can utilize your net-metering credits on your future utility bills. This allows solar PV systems to provide an electrically net-zero status, on an annual basis.
Solar Modules Will Damage My Roof
Apart from providing you with solar energy, rooftop solar panels can also protect and preserve the portion of your roof that they cover. Even if your roof’s surface needs repairing, you can remove your solar panels from the roof without removing the attachment hardware from the roof.
Reliable solar experts always use roof flashings wherever possible to provide a primary weather seal, and also use specialized sealant as a secondary layer of weather seal.
Solar Panels Don’t Function During Winter
Solar arrays do need sunlight to produce electricity. Suppose you live in an unusually cold area with many snowstorms. In that case, your solar panels will generate less solar energy during winter than in the summer. However, solar panels actually work more efficiently during the winter due to colder air temperatures. The sun is less intense in the winter months, which reduces solar panel productivity but solar arrays are capable of generating electricity year-round.
Though solar panels covered with snow won’t generate solar energy, if winter power production is a priority for the PV system design, the array can be tilted at an angle so that the snow will slide off automatically when the sun comes out.
Dandelion Renewables offers environment-friendly solar energy solutions to its residential and commercial clients across Saskatchewan, BC, and Alberta. To know more about our expert solar services, click here or contact us for personalized service.