Solar Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction
When it comes to solar energy, myths and misconceptions often complicate the conversation and cloud the truth. Many people hold outdated beliefs about efficacy, affordability, and accessibility of solar power, deterring them from considering solar for their home or business in Atlantic Canada.
We’ve created this guide to address some of the most common solar misconceptions, including: Does it work in low light regions? Are solar PV systems hard to maintain? Let’s dive into the facts and fiction that surround solar energy.
Myth 1: Solar Panels Only Work When the Sun is Shining
Truth be told, this is one of the most common misconceptions and deterrents to solar. This is especially concerning if you live in a province that isn’t known for long sunny days.
Fact: While solar panels do generate the most electricity during sunny weather, they still produce energy on cloudy days. What matters is the amount of sunlight your area receives over the year, not just on the sunniest days. Countries like Germany, which aren’t particularly known for their sunny climate, are global leaders in solar power usage.
Myth 2: Solar Panels Are Too Expensive
Are solar panels within your budget? The perception that solar energy is prohibitively expensive is becoming outdated. According to Natural Resources Canada, “…the cost of a solar panel has decreased dramatically since the ‘80s. As a result, a residential PV system that would have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to install and operate 40 years ago now costs about the same as using traditional electricity sources in Canada.”
Fact: Advances in technology and growing solar economies, the cost of installing solar panels has dropped dramatically in recent years. Plus, various financing options and governmental incentives can significantly reduce initial investment costs. It’s an investment that pays off over time, with savings on energy bills and potential incentives. Such as the Greener Homes loan of $40,000 Interest-free for 10 years.
Myth 3: Solar Energy Isn’t Efficient Enough
Another common myth is that solar panels are inefficient. Following that logic, less efficient panels would require more space to generate the same amount of electricity as their more efficient counterparts, which can be a critical issue for urban homeowners with limited roof space, resulting in higher installation costs.
Fact: While early solar panels had lower efficiency rates, modern panels convert about 15 to 20% of sunlight into electricity. Advances in photovoltaic technology, including the development of bifacial panels and the use of perovskite materials, have continually improved efficiency levels. Additionally, the efficiency of packing cells into a frame has improved, allowing panels of the same size to produce more watts. Meaning homeowners with smaller roofs can install the same number of panels but generate more energy.
Myth 4: Installing Solar Isn’t Worth It If You’re Moving Soon
Should you installing solar if you’re moving soon? You won’t benefit from lower utilities in the long run, so what’s the point?
Fact: Even if you’re planning to move in the near future, investing in solar panels can be beneficial. Solar installations can increase the resale value of your home (up to 4.1% on average), making it more attractive to potential buyers who are environmentally conscious or interested in energy savings.
Myth 5: You Need to Live in a Warm Climate
We tend to equate warmer climates with more sunlight and more efficient solar to energy conversion. What if you live in a cooler, cloudy climate?
Fact: Solar panels don’t require hot weather to function effectively. It sounds counterintuitive, but solar panels often perform better in cooler temperatures due to the physical properties of photovoltaic cells. When solar cells absorb sunlight, they convert it into electricity through the photovoltaic effect, a process that allows them to generate electricity. However, like many electronic devices, solar panels can lose efficiency when they get too hot.
In cooler temperatures, the resistance is lower, allowing for a more efficient transfer of energy and a higher output of electricity. Even the reflective properties of snow can sometimes boost light levels, further enhancing solar production in snowy environments!
Myth 6: Solar Panels Require Lots of Maintenance
Will you need to be climbing on your roof every week to clean your solar panels? Do you need a technical background to ensure they work properly?
Fact: One of the advantages of solar panels is their low maintenance requirements. Typically, routine cleaning to remove dirt and debris every 6 to 12 months is sufficient, and some systems even include automated cleaning features. Most solar panels come with a standard warranty of 25 years for panels that last ensuring their longevity and reliability.
Myth 7: Going Solar Means Going Off the Grid Completely
Another misconception is that going solar means you will cut loose from your local utility grid completely. With that comes concern about whether your solar PV system can handle all your electrical needs in a reliable way.
Fact: While some people choose to go entirely off-grid with solar power, most solar installations are still connected to the grid. This allows homeowners to draw power from the system when the panels aren’t producing enough energy and sell excess power back to the grid when they are producing more than needed.
Myth 8: Solar Panels Don’t Work in the Cold
One of the most common concerns about homeowners and businesses in Atlantic Canada is what happens to solar production when the colder weather and snow sweeps through.
Fact: Solar panels are capable of generating electricity even in cold climates. In fact, colder temperatures can enhance the conductive properties of photovoltaic cells, potentially increasing their efficiency. Solar panels can function and contribute to energy production effectively if there is sunlight (even through the clouds!).
What about our long, snowy seasons? While heavy snow accumulation can temporarily impede performance, solar energy systems typically include measures to handle these conditions, ensuring reliable energy production year-round, even in winter weather.
Fresh snow can act as a reflective surface, bouncing additional sunlight onto the panels, potentially enhancing their energy capture because solar panels surrounded by snow can absorb up to two times the amount of light, increasing the energy output.
Solar panels are also built for the elements! The tilted surfaces of solar panels allow snow to slide off more easily once the sun melts the top layer, reducing any blockage.
Myth 9: You’ll Stop Paying Utility Bills
This one is, unfortunately, false for most cases. Installing solar panels doesn’t necessarily eliminate your electricity bill entirely; however, it can significantly reduce your expenses for grid-supplied power.
Fact: There is also another way that solar energy can positively impact your electrical bill: net metering. Many provinces and territories offer net metering programs. This means you may receive credits for any extra electricity your solar panels generate and return to the grid, and you can utilize these credits at times of the year when your solar production is lower!
While your electricity bills won’t disappear completely, you’ll benefit from substantial savings depending on your system needs and eligibility for incentives.
Myth 10: Solar Panels Are Not Aesthetically Pleasing
One of the primary considerations when modifying the exterior of your home or business is the impact it will have on its overall appearance. Will they be unsightly or bulky? Thankfully for you and your neighbors, solar panels are no longer the bulky dinosaurs of the past.
Fact: Contrary to the belief that solar panels detract from a property’s appearance, most modern solar panel designs take into account aesthetics and are built to have a low profile and be sleek and attractive, blending well with various architectural styles.
Manufacturers have developed a range of options, including all-black panels and panels with low-profile mounting systems, that complement the rooflines.
Let SolarU Light the Way
At SolarU, we’re committed to providing you with the facts about solar energy. Reach out to our team if you have any questions or would like to explore how solar can fit into your life. Join us in debunking myths and embracing a brighter, solar-powered future!
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