Debunking the Biggest Solar Power Myths

Solar power generation may be growing at an incredible rate, but there is still a lot of misinformation floating around about the nature of this renewable energy. Below are four solar energy myths and the realities behind each.

You can't generate enough solar energy to efficiently power your entire house
This is entirely false. In fact, solar has proven to be more efficient than fossil fuels and many other resources. When fossil fuels are used to generate power, a good deal of that energy is lost as it is transferred to its destination. On the other hand, when you create solar power, all of that energy is used one way or another.

Solar panels only work in hot climates
Actually, most solar panels work best in cold, sunny climates. In lower temperatures, conductivity increases, allowing electricity to flow more efficiently. As solar panels heat up, they produce less power from the same amount of sun. Cloudy conditions may reduce the amount of energy produced, but solar panels can still work efficiently. Germany, for instance, gets less than half the amount of sun exposure as the U.S. on its sunniest day, yet Germany has one of the most successful solar initiatives on the planet.

Solar panels require a lot of maintenance
On the contrary, solar systems are extremely durable and require very little maintenance. Most installers recommend having your solar panels inspected once a year and many companies offer warranties for the whole life of the system.

Only a few states offer financial incentives for producing solar energy
In fact, nearly every state in the U.S. offers some kind of incentive for solar power generation. Furthermore, the federal government is currently offering a 30% tax credit for solar power systems installed before the end of 2019.

Solar power generation is becoming more and more convenient all the time.