Solar panels are becoming a hot topic and an increasingly popular energy source for many people across the country. Many businesses and homeowners nowadays opt for solar panels to power their household appliances and light up their premises. Aside from significantly lowering electricity bills, this renewable energy source reduces carbon footprints on the environment.

However, several misconceptions and myths about solar panel systems can prevent you from making informed decisions about your energy options. In this era of information and the internet, where everyone has his/her opinion about everything, it is easy to be misled by someone's opinion, preventing you from living your life optimally.

As solar energy's popularity increases worldwide, you will likely hear rumors or read information online that could discourage you from investing in this cost-friendly energy source. That is why it is advisable to do your homework before you invest in any significant project like solar energy.

In this article, we will tackle and debunk common misconceptions and myths about solar, providing accurate information to help you make informed decisions about your energy choices.

Twenty Common Misconceptions and Myths About Solar Energy That You Should Know

For one reason or another, several myths about the problems and disadvantages of solar energy are available online, but that does not mean they are all true. That is why we are here to set the record straight and clarify these misconceptions to enable you to make informed decisions about your energy choices in your home or business premises.

Discussed below are twenty (20) common myths about solar energy and the facts behind them:

  1. Solar Panels Will Not Work on Rainy, Cold, or Cloudy Days

Unlike what many think or assume, solar panels can work effectively even on rainy, cold, or cloudy days. While they are more effective on sunny days, they can still generate the power you need at home using indirect sunlight, even on cloudy days. However, the power output of solar panels on cloudy days is lower than on sunny days.

On the other hand, rain can help clean up dust and other debris accumulated on your solar panels, improving their efficiency. To make maximum use of your solar panels, if you live in a location that receives low sunlight, you should consider installing more solar panels and investing in batteries to store excess energy.

Tilting or optimizing your solar panel angles for seasonal changes can also help increase their power output whenever there is limited sunlight. Most solar panel installation companies will also recommend selecting high-efficiency solar panels for your home if you live in a location with limited daily sunlight.

While they will not produce maximum power output during adverse weather conditions, solar panels remain an environmentally friendly energy source for many homeowners and business owners throughout the year.

  1. Solar Panel Installation Can Damage Your Roof

The biggest myth is the blind belief that solar panel installation can damage your house’s roof. Instead, when installed correctly by seasoned professionals, solar panel systems can extend the lifespan of your house roof because they shield it from adverse weather conditions like direct sunlight.

The mounting brackets the installer will use to secure your solar panels in place have a unique design that helps distribute their weight evenly on your roof. However, before beginning the project, the solar panel installers you choose will access and inspect your roof for damage, integrity, and age.

Since solar panels can last up to thirty (30) years, the quality and condition of your house’s roof before installation are essential considerations.

  1. Solar Panels are Not Recyclable

Solar panels are recyclable, and this process has become more streamlined as the demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly energy grows. The recycling process of solar panel systems involves separating components, like aluminum, silicon-based photovoltaic cells, and glass, and extracting any valuable material for reuse. Solar manufacturing companies can use recycled materials to make new solar panel systems.

  1. Solar Energy is Costly and Inaccessible

Another big misconception about solar energy is that it is expensive, which is untrue. While solar panel systems were expensive in the past, increased demand and technological advancement have significantly lessened their costs. Financing options and government incentives even make installing solar panels affordable to everyone.

While solar panel installation costs can be expensive, you will save a lot on your monthly electricity bills in the long run since they require little maintenance.

  1. Solar Panel Systems Can Power Your Home During an Outage

Installing solar panel systems in your home is a cost-effective energy source with minimal reliance on the national power grid. However, unless you have storage batteries, you will not have electricity in your home if there is a power outage.

Your solar panel system inverter will switch off whenever there is a power outage to protect utility personnel who must fix the issue quickly.

  1. Solar Panels are Expensive to Maintain

Several people believe that solar panel systems are expensive to maintain, which is untrue. Due to advancements in technology, modern solar panels are durable, meaning they will require little maintenance once installed correctly.

Regularly cleaning your solar panels to remove dust is enough to keep them operating at their optimum efficiency.

  1. Solar Energy is Only Ideal for Residential Premises

Unlike what many assume, solar energy is not only ideal for residential spaces. If you are a business owner and are tired of costly electricity bills, solar energy could be an excellent alternative power source. When harnessed adequately, you can use solar energy for various purposes, including industrial, commercial, and public use.

  1. Solar Power is Unreliable

Although it is true solar energy production is dependent on the sunlight your location receives, the availability of storage batteries addresses this challenge. During days when there is low sunlight or high demands of power, the excess energy stored in your batteries can ensure your home is lit and electrical appliances are running.

  1. The Process of Installing Solar Panel Systems is Lengthy

As long as you have retained the services of a seasoned installer, installing solar panels should be seamless. Depending on the complexity of the installation and your solar panel sizes, it will only take a few days to complete the entire project. Your solar installation company will also handle the permitting and paperwork needed to go solar, making the whole process hassle-free for you, the homeowner.

  1. Solar Panel Manufacturing Affects the Environment

While solar panel manufacturing relies on fossil fuels, which produce greenhouse gases, the environmental impact of these gases is minimal compared to the overall benefits of going solar. After production, solar energy does not cause any environmental pollution.

  1. Installing Solar Panels Will Lessen Your Home’s Value

House prices are susceptible to fluctuation due to various factors, including inflation, the market, and trends, but going solar is not one of the factors. Instead, having solar panels in your property can increase its value and sell it faster than those without because most people nowadays are more environmentally conscious in their life decisions.

  1. Solar Panels are Inefficient

Advances in technology have significantly increased the efficiency of solar panel systems, making them a viable and reliable energy source for many businesses and homeowners. With the proper placement on your roof and size, solar panels can generate enough energy to power your entire company or home.

Your installer can help you choose the best and most efficient solar panel that suits your location and home’s power needs.

  1. Solar Panel Systems Take Too Much Space

Although it could seem like solar panel systems occupy too much space on your yard or roof, that is untrue. For example, a typical kW solar panel system only takes up approximately 400 square feet of your roof or yard space.

  1. You Will Have No More Power Bills

Installing solar panel systems in your home does not mean you will go off the grid entirely. A grid-tied solar panel system allows you to stay connected to the national grid whenever there is low sunlight or high energy needs. While you will still have your monthly electricity bill, going green is a decision you cannot regret because your electricity bill will lessen.

If your local utility company offers net metering, you can supply excess energy generated by your solar panel systems back to the grid and receive credits. However, these credits will not offset all your electrical bills.

  1. The Number of Solar Panels You Can Install Are Unlimited

The number of solar panels you will require will vary from one house to the next, depending on various factors such as:

  • Roof space

  • The house’s size

  • Solar power rating

  • Direction of sunlight in your home

  • The amount of power your household consumes

  1. Solar Panels Does Not Withstand Hot Temperatures

Generally speaking, solar panel systems work in any climate. Solar panels generate power even in hot weather, but extremely high temperatures make PV cells less efficient. That means solar panels will produce more electricity on a cold sunny day than on a hot sunny day.

The solar panel installer you choose will help you choose solar panels designed to withstand high temperatures, ensuring you enjoy the maximum benefits of this investment on your property.

  1. Solar Panels Affect the Aesthetic Appearance of Your Home

Many people have aesthetic concerns before investing in solar energy, which is understandable. While solar panels look bulky, when installed by a professional installer, they can improve the aesthetic appearance of your home. Furthermore, modern solar panels have a sleek design and colors that blend seamlessly into your home's exterior design.

Your solar installer can help you choose the best solar panels to complement or improve the aesthetic appearance of your home or business premises. With several options ranging from integrated solar tiles to frameless solar panels, your installer can help you choose solar panel systems that perfectly blend with your home's roof design.

  1. Solar Panels Are Not Durable

Generally, solar panel systems are durable and will serve you for about twenty-five (25) to thirty (30) years, depending on the type you decide to install in your home. When buying solar panel systems, consider selecting those with warranties to allow you to receive a refund if the panel systems fail to perform as expected.

  1. I Cannot Use Solar Energy if I am a Tenant

Another common myth about solar is that tenants cannot enjoy its benefits. Although tenants have limitations, going solar is not one of them. If you have your landlord's permission or approval, your solar panel installer can help you choose and install a suitable solar panel system for your apartment to reduce your electricity bills.

  1. Solar Panels Can Only Work on South-Facing Roofs

While it is true that solar panels that face the northern hemisphere receive more sunlight, solar panels that face other directions receive adequate sunlight to produce enough electricity to light up your home and power your appliances.

With the correct placement and angle, solar panels can generate enough electricity to power your home or commercial establishment, regardless of their orientation.

As we debunk some common misconceptions about solar energy, it becomes clearer that going solar has more advantages than disadvantages. Aside from being a cost-friendly and reliable energy source, investing in solar energy can lessen your carbon footprint on the environment.

Find a Solar Panel Installation Company Near Me

Debunking common myths and misconceptions is vital for promoting a greater understanding of this renewable energy source. By dispelling these common misconceptions about solar panels, we hope to encourage more homeowners and business people to consider solar power as their alternative and sustainable energy source.

Undoubtedly, solar energy has come a long way, and people need to recognize its several benefits and ever-growing accessibility. If you are looking for a cost-effective way to reduce your electricity bills and over-reliance on fossil fuels, going solar is a decision you cannot regret.

Whether you are a businessperson or a homeowner, you can rely on our reliable engineers at Sun Solar Electric to install solar panel systems in your home or commercial establishment. We invite you to call us at 707-658-2157 to schedule your first cost-free consultation with one of our reliable solar panel installers, wherever you are in the Bay Area and Northern California.