Top 10 Solar Myths

These article will dispel any Myths you may have of Solar

Amplify’d from actonsolar.blogspot.com

Thursday, 23 September 2010 Top 10 Solar Myths Myth 1: Solar will get more efficient, so I should wait. Fact: These days the media loves to hype emerging technologies, but the truth is we’re still using the same solar technology we were back in the 1960’s. Since then, solar has become only moderately more efficient (unlike computers or cellphones which experience dramatic improvements in short periods of time). Given this stable technological profile and the 30 percent federal solar tax credit (as well as many state incentive programs!) solar makes sense right now and once installed, continues to work for decades. More on solar panel efficiency. Myth 2: Solar doesn’t work in cool, cloudy, or foggy climates. Fact: Solar panels work in ambient light and will still produce significant energy in the fog or on overcast days. In fact, solar panels are actually more efficient at cooler temperatures. Although this might seem counterintuitive, consider that a solar array on a rooftop in cool, foggy San Francisco produces only one percent less electricity than one in nearby Sacramento, where it’s sunny and hot. Myth 3: I will store the excess energy I generate in batteries. Fact: Nearly all modern solar panel systems are “grid tied” which means they’re connected to the conventional electricity grid. Your system generates power during the day and excess is fed back into the grid through a system called “net metering.” When this happens, your meter spins backwards and your utility company credits you for that power. At night or on overcast days, you’ll use grid power, but you generally don’t get charged for it because of all the credit you’ve generated. This grid tied method tends to be the most convenient for homeowners.Batteries are an option for those who really want them, but they’re expensive, bulky, and have to be replaced every five to ten years. Myth 4: Solar panels require maintenance. Fact: Solar panels have no moving parts and thus they do not require regular maintenance. About the only thing a homeowner can do is hose off the panels once a year unless they have large debris on them (which must be wiped off). Even never cleaning the panels will only cause a very slight loss in efficiency (about 5 percent) over their lifetime. Myth 5 : Solar panels will cause my roof to leak, deteriorate, or collapse. Fact: Solar panels actually protect and preserve the portion of the roof they cover and if there’s ever a problem with the roof that needs to be repaired, panels can easily be removed. Most solar panels are not attached directly to the roof itself, but rather to a mounted railing system. Installers add sealants to fill in any gaps and often the mounts are surrounded by metal “flashing,” or coverings that serve as an extra barrier from the elements. Note: if your roof already leaks or needs to be replaced, it makes sense to make roof repairs first before installing solar panels. Myth 6: Solar is still so expensive that it will never be able to pay for itself (just like hybrid cars). Fact: Perhaps one of the most unfortunate solar myths is that it’s only for rich environmentalists, when in reality many homeowners choose to go solar because it stabilizes (or eliminates) costly monthly electricity bills and is a very wise choice for people who could actually use the couple hundred bucks (or more) they’re currently paying in power bills. It’s also one of the very few household purchases that will actually pay for itself. Studies show that on average, solar panels return two to four times their cost in saved electricity bills and typically pay for themselves completely within 7 to 15 years. If you live in a state with particularly good incentives, the payback period can be as short as two to four years. Myth 7: When the power goes out, my home is still powered. Fact: When the power goes out, grid-tied systems go out too. That’s because it’s not safe to be pushing electricity back out onto the wires while workers may be trying to fix the problem, so your inverter (the big box near your meter that turns DC electricity created by the panels into usable AC current) recognizes that the grid is out and shuts your system off. The solution? Spend a couple hundred on a generator or don’t worry about it too much; the power doesn’t go off that often. Myth 8: Solar will look ugly on my roof. Fact: Haven’t you heard? Solar is the new black. In the last ten years there’s been a growing awareness of how smart renewable energy is from both an economic and an environmental perspective, so solar panels are finally coming into their own and being regarded as an enhancement instead of an eyesore. It’s about time! Homeowners’ associations that used to be steadfastly against solar have changed their policies and are now going solar in groups. For homeowners who don’t like the look of traditional solar panels, there are now many options and styles, including thin-film and non-reflective solar panel roofing shingles. These styles are discreet and lower-profile than the panels of the 1960’s. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Myth 9: Installing solar panels will increase my property tax. Fact: In California and many other states, solar installations are property-tax exempt. From an investment perspective, this means that installing solar panels will increase the resale value of your house without costing you an extra dime in property taxes. The same cannot be said for other home investments such as swimming pools, a new deck, etc. Myth 10: Solar panels require a tracking system to follow the angle of the sun. Fact: Though tracking mechanisms can provide efficiency gains for your solar panel system, they typically do not increase efficiency enough to justify the additional expense and maintenance of moving parts in residential situations. More importantly, most homeowners don’t have the additional space required for these systems. Read more at actonsolar.blogspot.com

 

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