Solar Myths and Misconceptions

Solar power is rapidly gaining momentum as more home and business owners seek alternative energy sources. However, perusing the internet for even a few minutes shows that many people believe in similar misconceptions about the risks and pitfalls of a solar power system. Unfortunately, myths about solar PV systems put many would-be solar adopters at a disadvantage, simply because misinformation can make it seem as if solar is not quite "ready" to be a mainstream form of reliable electricity.

I have been working for a solar energy company in Elkridge since January of this year, and I have heard many of these commonly asked questions and misconceptions, as well as the answers. With this post, I hope to share a little bit of what I have learned about solar power, and clear up some confusion for homeowners that may have considered solar, but found it to be impractical.

Solar Power Doesn't Work In the Dark

Can you imagine the disappointment of thousands of homeowners with solar panels perched on the rooftop when the sun sets and every lightbulb, television, and computer fades to black? Finding that your new solar panels leave you in the dark every night would be frustrating. Fortunately, this is not the experience of property owners who choose to go solar.

It's true: solar panels will not generate electricity when they are not exposed to sunlight. That is why there needs to be a way to store excess electricity generated during the day. Property owners have the option to choose net-metering, or to have some sort of battery backup system for storage.

The most popular approach to this is net-metering, which means that the electricity generated by solar panels is free to flow back into the existing electrical grid. This works like a bank account, where excess electricity is deposited during the day, and withdrawn at night. If, for some reason, the amount of electricity used was more than what was generated by the solar power system, the consumer would pay for the net amount of utility-supplied electricity. 

Solar Panels Only Work on Sunny Days

Cloudy days can still provide UV rays, and just as it is still possible to get a sunburn, solar panels are still exposed to solar energy. It does not have to be a hot, sunny day for optimum performance, and solar panels will continue to generate electricity, even with cloud cover.

Solar Panels are Too Expensive

The initial price tag of a solar PV system may seem overwhelming at first. There are various incentives and grants that can help offset the cost, and net-metered properties can often benefit from SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Credits) which essentially means that excess electricity generated by a solar PV system can be sold.

Different financing options are also available, which means that the total cost is broken down into more manageable payments. Instead of fluctuating (rising) electricity costs, electricity bills can be replaced by consistent monthly payments toward the solar PV system, that can be even less than your typical monthly electricity cost.

Solar Panels are Fragile

At an , students at participating area schools were very interested in just how durable solar panels are, and just what it would take to break them. Solar panels are made to withstand normal weather conditions, and, since they can only be used outdoors, this means that they can be expected to endure rain, thunderstorms, snow, and hail. In fact, the surface of a solar panel is made of tempered glass, so you can expect similar performance to the windshield of a car.

To conclude, a solar power system is a reliable source of electricity. Solar powered homes and businesses can still benefit from solar electric systems at night, and on rainy days, and their systems are made to withstand expected weather events without failure.

If you have any questions, please visit the solar energy blog, or ask on the Solar Energy World Facebook page.