Fact Vs. Fiction: Debunking the top 5 Solar Myths
When we talk to people at organized solar events, we often hear common solar myths being passed around. We understand that solar energy can be complex, and separating fact from fiction isn’t always easy.
However, if you’re interested in solar energy, having the facts is crucial—without the extra assumptions or misinformation. Our goal is to help you navigate these myths and gain a clear understanding of how solar works.
With that, let’s dive into debunking some of the top solar myths out there!
The 5 Most Common Solar Myths
1. Myth: Solar Is A Luxury Only Few Can Afford
The upfront cost of installing a solar system and the initial quotes for solar installation have led many to believe it is highly expensive and out of reach for those without significant savings.
Fact: In the past decade alone, the cost of solar has fallen 60%, and in the past four decades, the cost has plummeted 99%, according to the 2018 MIT study titled Explaining the plummeting cost of solar power. Plus, with how much it saves you in energy bills in the long run, it’s not as expensive as you think.
2. Myth: Solar Panels Might Damage My Roof
Many people worry that installing solar panels could lead to roof leaks, added weight, structural damage, or complications with future roof repairs.
Fact: When you work with a qualified, local NABCEP-certified solar professional, you don’t have to worry about roof damage. Solar panels can actually help protect your roof.
3. Myth: Solar Energy Will Power My Home When the Power Goes Out
A common myth is that if you have solar panels, you’ll still have power when the grid goes down. However, if your solar system is tied to the utility grid, it will automatically shut off during an outage.
This is primarily for safety reasons—when utility workers are repairing power lines, any electricity flowing back into the grid could put them at risk. To prevent this, your inverter is designed to shut down when the grid loses power.
Fact: In reality, the only way to power your home during an outage is with a solar battery backup system.
4. Myth: Solar Only Works When the Sun is Shining
Many people assume that solar panels stop working if the sun is blocked by clouds, rain, or snow. While panels may not produce as much energy in these conditions, they still generate power.
Fact: Even when the sun is hidden behind clouds, diffused sunlight still reaches your solar panels, allowing them to continue producing energy for your home. With a well-designed solar system, cloudy, rainy, or snowy days won’t stop you from benefiting from reliable, renewable power.
5. Myth: Solar Panels Aren’t Efficient Enough
The average efficiency of solar panels today is 21%. At first glance, that number might seem low—after all, it’s not anywhere near 100%. This leads many people to believe that solar panels must not be that efficient.
Fact: Solar panel efficiency has steadily improved since its introduction, and it continues to get better over time. It’s also important to understand that the efficiency percentage doesn’t reflect overall system performance—it simply measures how much sunlight is converted into electricity. Even at 20% efficiency, a well-designed solar system can generate more than enough power to meet a household’s energy needs.
What Are 5 Facts About Solar Panels?
To combat fiction with fact, let’s take a look at 5 important facts about solar panels and solar energy:
1. Solar Energy Is More Affordable Than You Think
Not only has the cost of solar been plummeting, but even without seeing your electric bill, we can share with you some numbers based on national averages to show how solar can completely cover the amount a typical homeowner spends on electricity.
Of course, your system and situation are unique to you, so you might need more power or less power than “average.” If you heat with wood, coal, or oil, most likely you need less power.
The average system size for a residential application is about 6 KW. For this amount of power, the average gross cost has fallen from $50,000 to just $18,000 in about the past decade.
Currently, the federal tax credit is at 30%. Subtract that amount from the purchase price, and you’re looking at approximately $12,600 for a residential solar system that can cover most, if not all, of your electricity needs.
Solar is a financially wise investment. The returns are steady and not influenced by market changes. Solar’s ability to avoid the politics and price volatility that increasingly characterize fossil fuel markets is a major advantage.
We’d be happy to calculate the exact amount of time it would take to pay off a solar system for your home. Contact us here or give us a call at (717) 768-7796.
2. Solar Panels Protect Your Roof
There are two major factors that provide your roof with extra protection when solar panels are added rather than causing potential harm.
First, solar panels shield your roof from harsh weather, UV rays, and temperature fluctuations, all of which contribute to roof wear and tear over time. By reducing direct exposure to the elements, panels help prevent cracking, degradation, and other common roofing issues.
Second, when properly installed by a certified professional, solar panels will not cause any damage. At Belmont Solar, we take workmanship seriously. Before installing your system, we inspect your roof to ensure it’s in good condition and structurally sound. Our team is NABCEP-certified, meaning we’ve completed over 58 hours of advanced training and passed a rigorous exam to ensure the highest quality installations. Plus, we back our work with a 10-year workmanship warranty, giving you complete peace of mind.
Finally, the materials used to mount the panels play a big role in protecting your roof. Belmont Solar has nearly 20 years of experience, and we’ve even taken extra steps to ensure our installations are worry-free by designing our own mounting brackets. In fact, we acquired Tough Trac, a leader in solar mounting equipment, to manufacture high-quality, durable, and waterproof mounting systems to our exact standards.
When you work with an experienced, trusted solar installer, your roof is protected, not damaged. Want to learn more? Check out our Tough Trac page for details on this advanced mounting system!
3. Battery Backup Provides Security During Outages
Solar battery backup stores electricity for when you need it, providing reliable power even during an outage. A battery system can help you save money whether or not you have solar by allowing you to charge your batteries during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower. However, the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution is charging your battery with clean solar energy.
Battery backup is the perfect complement to a solar system, storing excess solar power for use at night or on cloudy days when sunlight isn’t available
Hybrid battery backup systems are configured to receive a charge either through the grid or with solar, making them an ideal option for providing power during an outage. Instead of shutting down in the event of an outage, the system will immediately switch over to the battery backup, providing you with power.
To learn more about solar battery backup systems and solutions, visit our battery backup page.
4. Panels Produce Energy Without Direct Sunlight
On cloudy days, your solar panels may not operate at peak efficiency, but sunlight still passes through the clouds, allowing them to generate power for your home. Rain and snow don’t stop your system from working either. In fact, rain helps keep your panels clean by washing away dirt and debris that could reduce efficiency.
While a heavy layer of snow may temporarily lower energy production, snow can actually reflect sunlight, sometimes boosting output. Plus, when installed by a trusted team of experts, your panels will be positioned at the right angle, helping snow slide off easily so it doesn’t block your system’s ability to produce power.
5. Solar Panel Efficiency Is on The Rise
When solar panels were first developed, they operated at only about 10% efficiency. Today, modern panels have efficiency ratings as high as 23%. While this may not seem close to 100%, it’s important to understand that this number refers to conversion efficiency, not overall system effectiveness. Some sunlight naturally reflects off the panel or is converted into heat instead of electricity, making 100% conversion impossible.
That said, the sun produces more energy in one hour than most homes need in an entire year. With this abundant supply of solar energy, a well-designed solar system can easily meet your home’s power needs.
A Solar System Installer You Can Trust
Many people believe that solar is too expensive, inefficient, or could damage their home, but as we’ve covered in this blog, that’s simply not true. A properly installed solar system works in rain, shine, and even snow, providing reliable energy for your home at an affordable cost.
At Belmont Solar, we’ve been installing high-quality solar systems for over 20 years. As a NABCEP-certified installer, we ensure your system is mounted securely, angled correctly, and designed for maximum efficiency—all at a price that fits your budget.
Ready to see how much you can save? Use our solar cost calculator or schedule a free consultation today! You might be surprised at how affordable solar really is.