Seven Myths About Solar Power and the Reasons They Are Not True
Just like any innovation, solar power is surrounded by myths. Installing solar panels in your house is a big step to take, so these myths can easily feed into fears. Here are the top seven myths about solar power and why they are not rooted in truth.
Myth 1: Solar Panels Only Work in Sunny, Warm Climate
Reality: This is true that solar panels are less efficient in cloudy weather. Depending on the exact weather conditions, they produce at least 25 percent of the power they would have produced in sunny weather. This amount still fulfills a lot of the household electrical needs.
As for the cold weather, it is not linked to the inefficiency of solar panels at all. In fact, they are proven by the studies to be even more effective during the winter months because cold temperatures increase the efficiency of solar panels, stimulating them to work more effectively. Solar panels work in all climates, as demonstrated by their popularity in Canada, Germany, Norway, and Sweden. As for the snow, heavy snowfalls might negatively impact battery efficiency and should be accounted for, but average snowfalls are unlikely to affect photovoltaic systems in any significant way.
Myth 2: The production of solar panels results in more pollution than could be saved by using solar energy.
Reality: The manufacturing of solar panels results in some environmental pollution, just like every manufacturing does. Unfortunately, all current industries, including the alternative energy field, cannot reach the point where pollution during manufacturing is totally eliminated.
However, a solar panel system prevents much more pollution than happens when they are manufactured. For instance, a system that covers all the needs of a single household prevents approximately a ton of SO2 air pollution and most of the carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides that the household would otherwise extract because of the fossil fuels burned for electricity use. This adds up to the impressive 200 tons of carbon dioxide and more than half a ton of nitrogen oxides not emitted by a single household in thirty years.
What is more, a solar panel system lasts for at least 25-30 years, which means that most customers would not need to replace it more than once in their lifetime, making the manufacturing pollution from a single household even less significant in the long term. Meanwhile, the technologies that would make manufacturing processes cleaner are on the way, like most industries.
Myth 3: Solar Panels will not generate the energy that was used to create them.
Reality: The U.S-based National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) calculated that the energy payoff for an average residential solar power system is four years, assuming a panel life of 25-30 years. The energy payoff takes even less depending on the favorable individual circumstances associated with your household and the efficiency of the solar panels. After the initial payoff, the power return will continue to grow even further. On average, the energy will be repaid 7 to 8 times if the battery lasts for at least 20 years and more than 11 times if it lasts for 30 years.
The idea that solar panels do not achieve energy payoff is not rooted in objective reality. It is likely linked only to the initial concerns related to the high energy costs among those who installed the panels a year or two ago.
Myth 4: Solar Panels are expensive, and achieving payback is almost impossible
Reality: While the initial cost of installing solar panels is quite high, which creates many fears and myths, the payback is inevitable given the data from the households that had solar panels installed for more than a few years. Moreover, local and federal governments provide many incentives that help cut the initial costs of solar panels, including investment and state tax credits, cash rebates, and performance-based incentives. Solar panels are no longer restricted to high-income households and are growing in popularity among families with a lower income.
Even without the incentives, the payback on solar panels is typically achieved within a few years. The payback speed is individual for every household and depends on the solar panel's price, the local regulations, electric utilities, monthly bills, and the desired offset.
Myth 5: Solar Panels Need a lot of Maintenance
Reality: As mentioned before, solar panels last from 25 to 30 years, and they usually do not require any repairs over their lifespan. You will most likely perform only basic cleaning from dust and dirt as you do with other household items located outdoors. Solar panels are designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions, including snow, wind, and heavy rain. One thing that requires heavier than usual cleaning is heavy, unusual snowfall, but you will still clean your solar panels in the same way you do your rooftop or backyard in this scenario.
Myth 6: Installing solar panels means that your household has to rely on solar energy exclusively.
Reality: Standalone solar power systems are installed on a sporadic basis in remote regions, and most of the solar power systems in residential areas are connected to the grid, which means that you continue to rely on the central power system at night and whenever your solar power system is out of work for any reason.
