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Solar panels are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your energy bill. However, there are a lot of myths about solar panels that discourage people from making the switch. In this article, we’re debunking the top six myths about solar panels.

Myth 1: Solar Panels Are Expensive

One of the biggest roadblocks in consumers’ minds when it comes to investing in solar panels is the upfront cost of purchase and installation. However, solar panels have never been more affordable than they are now.

And with federal and state incentives, the cost of solar panels has decreased significantly in recent years. In addition, the long-term savings that you’ll experience by switching to solar will far outweigh the initial investment.

Bottom line; you can look forward to significant savings when you take advantage of deals and incentives. A good example of this is the federal tax credit, which can see an average-priced $20,000 system drop by as much as $6,000.

So, in the end, you’d pay $14,000 for a $20,000 solar panel system!

Myth 2: Solar Panels Are Unreliable

Solar panels are actually one of the most reliable forms of energy generation. They don’t rely on fossil fuels, which are subject to price fluctuations, and they don’t produce emissions that can pollute the air.

Solar panels also have a very long lifespan—typically 25 to 30 years. And if properly maintained, they will continue to function at peak efficiency for the duration of their lifespan.

This is why it’s important to hire a reputable solar panel installation company to install your panels. A quality installation will ensure that your panels will function as intended for many years to come.

Furthermore, many reputable solar panel system installers offer ongoing maintenance plans to further prolong the lifespan and efficiency of your solar panel system.

Myth 3: Solar Panels Damage Roofs

Another common concern about solar panels is that they will damage your roof. However, this is typically not the case. In fact, it’s quite rare.

Granted, there have been isolated incidents where shoddy installation work has led to roof damage. But when installed correctly, solar panels actually help to protect your roof by providing an additional layer of protection against the elements.

And as mentioned above, solar panels are quite durable and have incredible longevity. When lasting their full lifespan, you can think of solar panels on your roof as 25 to 30 years of added protection.

Myth 4: Solar Panels Don’t Work Unless the Sun Is Shining

Solar panels actually work best on sunny days, but they can still generate electricity on cloudy days. The truth is that solar panels can generate electricity even when it’s snowing, as long as the snow is not obscuring the sunlight from reaching the panel surface.

Of course, the amount of electricity generated on a cloudy day will be less than on a sunny day. But the beauty of solar panels is that you’re still generating electricity, even on days when the sun isn’t shining as brightly.

In fact, research proves that solar panels still generate a significant amount of electricity on cloudy days—between 10% and 25% of your panel’s potential output. That translates to consistent, continual savings on your energy bill, month after month and year after year.

Myth 5: Solar Energy Is Only For Homes

It’s long been held—and erroneously so—that solar panels are only for homes. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The fact of the matter is that solar panels can be used to generate electricity for just about anything that uses electricity.

This includes everything from cars and trucks to boats and RVs. Solar panels are even being used to power entire homes and businesses. So no matter what your needs are, there’s a good chance that solar panels can be used to meet them.

RV owners, for example, have adopted solar panels faster than just about any other group. This is because solar panels offer a great way for RV owners to generate their own electricity while on the road. Solar panels allow them to dry camp (or boondock) for extended periods of time without having to worry about running out of power.

The same is true for boats and other watercraft. Solar panels are an ideal way to generate electricity for boats because they’re completely silent and don’t produce any emissions. And since they rely on the sun for power, they’re very easy to install and maintain.

Myth 6: You Can Do Either a Solar, or Green Roof But Not Both

Since the popularity of both green roofs and solar panel systems has grown, many believe that you have to choose between the two. On the contrary, studies have found that adding elements of a green roof can actually increase the efficiency of your solar panel system.

Researchers have deduced that when surrounded by plants and foliage, solar panels were 20 percent more effective at peak times. This is due in part to the fact that greenery keeps the systems cooler than if they are exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time. Over the lifetime of the system this can exponentially increase the amount of energy generated for use as well as contribution back to the grid.

Not only will adding greenery keep the solar system cooler, but surrounding panels with an absorbent surface can help drainage of any stormwater or excess runoff that non-porous surfaces would normally shed. This factor plays a key part in future-proofing homes and cities that are subject to the effects of increasingly extreme weather events like heat waves and flooding.

The Takeaway

The bottom line is that solar panels are a versatile and reliable source of renewable energy that can be used for a wide variety of applications. So if you’ve been considering solar energy for your home or business, don’t let any of these myths hold you back. Solar panels are a great way to save money and reduce your reliance on the grid.