It’s easy to read negative things online about solar power, and to believe that what you’ve read is true, but you should always try to verify that information with someone who knows what they’re talking about i.e. a solar professional within the industry. That way you can make an informed decision based upon facts, which is particularly important when dealing with a major investment such as switching to solar.
A good solar panel installer (or manufacturer) will be upfront with you as to the pros and cons of switching to solar at home, and it’s also important to remember that what might be an affordable option for you, may not be so for someone else.
To help you make an informed decision about going solar at home, here are 4 common untruths that you may have read about, but which you shouldn’t believe:
A popular untruth that is often spouted by utility companies in efforts to deter customers from making the switch, while solar panels are at their prime in such weather conditions, they still function when it is cold, and even when cloudy.
It’s important to remember that panels collect light, not heat, and in fact, very high temperatures may interfere with the efficiency of the panels, making cooler climates, ideal.
Understanding the efficiency of solar panels is only possible with an understanding of their nature, and that of sunlight.
Sun rays are made up of a number of light spectrums, and not all of them can be converted into energy; some are even converted into heat. One area of the spectrum that is useless for generating energy, is infrared light, for example. So if you read online that solar panels operate at around 22% efficiency, this is actually pretty good, particularly when you consider that efficiency records globally for solar panels, is around 39%, and that’s only under the perfect conditions.
Yes, solar panels can be costly to install, but in terms of making a long-term investment, it’s a wise and worthy one.
The average cost of residential solar installation is around $35,000, but in many instances, homeowners can see a return on their investment in less than a decade. When you also consider that there are still many government incentives and tax credits available for those switching to solar, it makes it an even more affordable investment.
Let’s not also forget the monthly savings you’ll make on energy, and the peace of mind when it comes to utility rate hikes; something you’ll never have to experience again.
Provided you hire an experienced local solar installer, your solar panels will be erected in such a way as to cause no damage to your roof whatsoever, whether it be pitched or flat. And if your roof is already damaged, the solar installer will insist that any repair work necessary be carried out before the installation goes ahead. They will also refuse to install panels on a roof that is old and coming towards the end of its lifespan.
There may be many more untruths floating around about solar power and home installations, so it’s important to arm yourself with the facts from a reputable source, before going ahead with the big switch. But ultimately, going solar can save you thousands of dollars in energy bills, and you’ll be doing your bit for the environment, too – that’s the truth!
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