7 Most Common Solar Power Myths
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As a relatively new technology on a civilian market, solar power solutions are unfortunately still subject to harmful and misleading myths. For one reason or another, a series of misconceptions regarding solar power generation has become deeply ingrained in the minds of many, often resulting in either a passed opportunity for sustainability or a letdown due to some misjudged capabilities.
Such erroneous beliefs need to be finally put to rest. Solar power and the tech involved are the staple of renewable energy generation and allow to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Homeowners from all around the world should understand that myths such as solar panels requiring extensive maintenance, photovoltaic technology not working in low temperatures, having no access to electricity at night, solar collectors being loud, and even that gained energy is stored in batteries are simply not true.
Hopefully, by the time you finish reading this article, any harmful misconceptions will be replaced by a clear understanding of the benefits involved!
The first misconception regarding solar power that every homeowner should know about is the belief that solar panels require extensive maintenance to function properly. The truth is that, as a standalone energy source, very little maintenance is needed from users of solar power equipment.
Even if several upkeep types are mandatory, these usually involve cleaning and possibly replacing parts. In fact, the only real maintenance required involves cleaning or replacing the panels’ glass, which is usually done every few years.
If your home is in an arid area known for dust storms, the situation changes a bit. Although dust alone shouldn’t damage the panels any more than it damages other devices, the thin cover of sand can drastically reduce the efficiency of the solar panels, sometimes even halving them. If there’s no regular rain to wash the sand off them, you should consider giving them a thorough cleanup every time such a storm happens.
Also, according to 10Power Up generator reviews, solar generators become a popular alternative power source for outdoor adventure due to their minimal maintenance, quiet operation, and handiness.
Another typical misconception regarding solar power is that solar panels cannot work at low temperatures. As a result, many do not understand why they should invest in solar energy solutions in climates where the temperature frequently drops below freezing.
The truth is that PV cells’ efficiency is usually higher in lower temperatures, provided that those temperatures never reach extreme levels. This is because the panel’s efficiency is determined by the difference between the temperature inside and outside it. The bigger the difference, the higher the efficiency, making solar panels work better in colder weather.
Many people believe that solar energy systems are only as efficient as their exposure to sunlight, which causes them to wonder if their panels are effective during overcast weather. The truth is that solar panels can operate quite well even in less-than-ideal insolation.
In fact, even though solar power generation depends on the number of photons that hit them, the exact position of the sun and the presence of clouds aren’t as important as many people think. As long as the photovoltaic surface is not covered entirely, solar energy should be generated in some capacity.
A commonly-held belief about solar power is that all components involved in generating power are loud, so homeowners must expect a lot of noise from their home solar panels. This isn’t true because photovoltaic panels often contain no moving parts able to generate the noise. In fact, any kind of noise coming from a solar panel is usually due to poor insulation or damaged wiring and not a result of the panel’s normal operation.
One of the most common myths surrounding solar power is that it’s too expensive for average homeowners and will take a long time before they become cost-effective. Once again, this misconception has no basis in reality since solar panels can be purchased sometimes for even less than $1 per watt used and can produce many kilowatts per year, meaning that they are indeed affordable investments for homeowners from all around the world.
Things get even better if you also consider federal tax credit for solar photovoltaics and rebates offered by many local municipalities. Plus, owning your own energy generation equipment can also save you thousands in utility costs each year!
The reality is that solar systems can actually work at night, just not in the way you expect. This is because some solar power systems are equipped with backup batteries that are able to store the power collected during daylight hours. That allows them to discharge energy at night and to provide electricity throughout most of the day, even if the weather is very unfavorable, e.g., it’s snowing.
A common myth about solar power is that installing solar panels will significantly reduce the value of a home by making it less attractive to potential buyers. This is simply not true because there is no evidence that installing solar panels will cause any significant drop in property values.
In fact, the opposite is true since solar systems can reduce energy bills and make homes more energy efficient. So even if a homeowner decides to sell their home, they will likely get a better price by up to 4.1% more for it than they would have if they hadn’t invested in a solar power system.
As you can see from the examples above, there are a number of common misconceptions about solar power that many people believe to be true. As a result, some homeowners do not invest in solar energy solutions for their homes even though they would have been highly profitable.
The truth is that solar power has already proven itself to be an up-and-coming energy source that is here to stay, so it’s only a matter of time before its adoption rate increases even more. Hopefully, the debunked myths shown above will convince some people to invest in solar power solutions for their homes, which will further boost the technology and help it to become even more efficient!
This post was last modified on February 23, 2022 3:10 pm