Top 5 Solar Power Myths, Busted

It is no secret that solar power has been on the rise in recent years.

As the world continues to suffer the unprecedented consequences of global warming and climate change, solar energy has become more affordable and accessible.

It will only continue to grow in popularity over the next few years. 

However, solar energy is not without its detractors.

There are many myths surrounding solar power that people often accept as truths without considering the actual facts.

This blog post will talk about and debunk the five most common solar power myths.

1. Solar Power is Too Expensive

While solar power on the Gold Coast was initially very expensive, it has become more affordable and accessible to the average consumer in recent years.

In fact, solar panels have actually reduced in price by more than 50% from what they originally were.

Solar energy also benefits from tax credits that can help reduce installation costs, even more so for homeowners interested in switching their homes or businesses to solar power.

Aside from all of these discounts factored into the cost of solar energy, solar technology also saves consumers more money compared to traditional non-renewable electricity sources.

2. Solar Power Requires Clear and Cloudless Skies

Another solar power myth is that solar energy only works in the sunniest of climates.

While solar panels do work best when there are no clouds or other atmospheric conditions to inhibit their performance, they still generate electricity even on cloudy days. 

In fact, colder temperatures actually increase the performance of photovoltaic cells, as excessive heat in the atmosphere can interfere with the efficiency of your solar panels. 

It can be worth remembering that solar panels actually collect light from the sun during the daytime, and not heat.

3. Solar Power Requires A Lot of Maintenance

Solar power is often thought of as a meticulously high-maintenance energy source, but the truth is solar panels actually require very little maintenance. 

“Solar panels only require a good cleaning every once in a while to keep them performing at their best.”

To clean solar panels, all you need to do is rinse them off with clean water and let them dry in the sun for about half an hour before putting them back into use.

Make sure to check your solar panel every now and then for a buildup of dirt and debris.

If you notice any dirt or other particles, use a soft-bristled brush to get rid of the dirt buildup on your solar equipment.

As solar panels are usually intended to be placed on top of roofs for extended periods of time, they are meant to withstand extreme weather conditions.

This makes solar panels very durable and long-lasting, which means it’s definitely not worth worrying about the maintenance of your solar power system anytime soon.

A solar powered surveillance camera on a pole.

4. Solar Power is Inefficient

It is true that solar panels are unable to convert a substantial amount of the sun’s radiation into usable energy, but take into consideration the fact that the light that the sun emits is excessive.

Because of this, solar power is still cost-effective for the average consumer, as there is really just an incredible excess of solar energy lying around.

Solar technology has also been growing exponentially more efficient over time due to technological advancements in recent years.

In addition to being an incredibly effective way to generate clean electricity from our sun’s rays each day, solar panels are also relatively more durable and long-lasting than other types of renewable technologies like wind turbines.

5. Solar Panels are Bad for Your Roof

A common belief is that the solar panel installation process is so meddlesome that solar panels affect the structural integrity of your roof—which is entirely false.

Solar panels are actually not that heavy, and they are not installed directly on your roof but rather mounted on top of them.

Therefore, they do not add much weight to your roof compared to other materials used for solar power installations like solar shingles or traditional asphalt tiles.

Solar panel installations can also serve as an excellent barrier for your roof that protects it from external elements such as rain, snow, dust, and debris.

Conclusion

Solar power is a very promising new technology that has been rapidly growing in popularity over the past few years.

Despite all these myths and hearsay, solar power is a cost-effective and clean alternative to other types of traditional non-renewable energy sources.

As you look for solar-powered solutions for your home, you can check out our Solahart Premium PV Systems.