5 Common Solar Misconceptions

Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions about home solar energy floating around. We’ve written the truth about five solar myths we frequently hear. In reality, though they aren’t perfect, solar photovoltaics are a great way to save money while producing green energy for residential or commercial use, and we want as many people as possible to know the truth about solar energy as we work our way to a brighter, greener future.

Solar Panels Will Damage My Roof

Not if they are installed correctly! Solar panels will not damage your roof when installed properly, and a competent solar panel installer will be sure to take care of your roof. In fact, solar panels can actually help protect the areas of your roof located beneath them from damage by hail, wind, and light.

Solar Panels Require a Lot of Maintenance

Solar Panels are incredibly easy to care for. They have no moving parts, which makes them highly reliable. A quick rinse with a regular garden hose a few times a year should be all that’s needed. If you live in a snowy area you can simply brush the snow off your panels with a broom.

Solar Panels are Too Expensive

We beg to differ. Home solar energy has become increasingly affordable in recent years. Not only are there a wide range of financing options open to you, there are also various tax incentives, including the Federal Solar Tax Credit which allows you to receive 30% of the total cost of your solar system back on your taxes. Additionally, California is one of several states to have Net Metering in place, the system in which your utility credits you at retail rates for the excess electricity you generate and feed back into the grid. Talk to your solar panel installer about the financing options available to you.

Solar Panels Will Not Work on Cloudy or Foggy Days

Solar panels will still work on cloudy or foggy days, because unlike shade, some sunlight still gets through to reach your roof. Particularly thick clouds can decrease panel output, but light cloud cover will not make much of an impact. In fact, solar panels will produce slightly more in cooler temperatures than in hotter ones.

Solar Panels Will Power My Home When the Electricity Goes Out

This is not true for grid-tied homes: when the grid loses power, your home will also lose power. It is unsafe for your home to be generating power while workers may be making repairs, so your inverter will shut your system down. However, if you have installed a battery backup for your grid-tied system you can keep your lights on during a power outage. And there you have it, the truth about five common solar misconceptions.

If you have questions about solar energy, contact Valley Solar to speak to a local solar expert.