Bringing solar into your home can be a big step. Lots of homeowners have questions about how it works, and there are some myths floating around about residential solar that we’d like to address directly.
Here are the top solar myths debunked:
1. Solar will ruin my roof
People worry about their roofs when considering installing solar panels: mounting panels on your roof is complicated. And the ugly truth is, you can find an installer who doesn’t do a top quality job, much as you can for any home renovation. This is why you should choose reputable professionals to handle the installation process to ensure the quality of your solar system and the security of your roof. Once properly installed, solar panels can actually benefit the longevity of your roof because they absorb some of the wear and tear over the years.
2. Solar power is way too expensive for me
Yes, it’s true: buying solar panels can be expensive, but you don’t need to buy them. With the right financing, solar energy can be accessible to almost every homeowner. With power purchase agreements or solar leases, you avoid paying the huge upfront costs of purchasing a solar system. Instead of paying $32,000 to buy your own system, you can switch with no cost to clean solar electricity. In addition, electricity prices are high and will continue to increase. With solar, you can minimize the expensive electricity rate increases from your utility.
3. Solar means I have to go off the grid or have batteries
Owning a solar energy system does not mean that you have to go off the grid; most people who use solar electricity in their homes actually stay tied to their utility grid. By staying tied to the grid, your panels contribute electricity during the day, and draw it back at night or on a stormy day. Not tying your panels to the grid means you have to store your electricity in batteries, and a very small majority of solar homes choose this option.
4. Solar won’t work in cold climates
A common misconception is that solar panels only function in warm climates with abundant sunshine. However, solar panels produce electricity wherever the sun shines, whether the area is as sunny as Sacramento, CA or as cloudy as Trenton, NJ. In fact, Germany has one of the largest solar markets in the world and is about as sunny as Seattle. While sunny areas will generate more power than cloudy areas, solar works almost anywhere and its financial and environmental benefits transcend climatic boundaries.
Furthermore, solar electricity panels, like many electronics, work better in colder temperatures. If you’re worried about snowfall burying your panels, let gravity ease your fears. Your solar panels are slanted and the tilt will allow much of the snow to slide off. In addition, the dark panels attract and absorb sunlight, lending for a faster melting process (a good sweep of your panels won’t hurt, either). The snow will also reflect sunlight and send additional light to your roof. You can even have solar if you live in a cold and snowy place.
5. I should wait for solar since technology is improving
People often think that they should wait for solar because solar panel technology is constantly improving and they want the most up-to-date version. But, solar panels are not the same as computers or smartphones – solar panel technology is already mature, hasn’t changed much in recent years, and won’t do so dramatically in the future. Thin-film solar panels, which you may have heard about in recent news, are less efficient than normal solar panels and are more practical for large-scale commercial installations, rather than homes. The current solar technology is tested, proven, and ready to power your home.
Waiting for solar can also hurt you in the long run. While panel prices may be dropping gradually over time, state and federal rebates are going fast – the longer you wait, the more you’ll actually end up paying for solar. Residential electricity prices from your utility are rising every year. The sooner you look toward solar, the sooner you can lock in a low fixed rate for your electricity.
6. Solar means I’m tied to my house for the next 20 years
No, installing a home solar system does not mean that you are tied to your house for the next two decades. Some Americans worry that if they move, they will never be able to recoup their investment on a solar system. Instead, installing solar in your home will raise its property value – a study by ICF Consulting cites that $1/year on energy savings adds $20 to your home’s value ($1,000/year in savings will increase your home value by $20,000!).
7. My roof needs to be enormous in order to support enough panels to power my home.
While your electricity output does depend on the size of your system, a smaller system will still generate enough electricity to offset part of your utility bill. For a solar electricity system to be viable, your roof can be as small as 200 square feet! Every kilowatt of clean energy generated by your roof will be one less kilowatt of electricity pulled from the grid for which you have to pay your utility.
We hope this helps you to make the right decision regarding solar for your home. Getting clean, renewable energy is truly one of the best things you can do this year for both the environment and your utility bill. Happy Holidays from Sweet Solar Home!
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