DON’T BUY MYTHS ABOUT SOLAR POWER – BUY SOLAR PANELS INSTEAD!
Updated December 14, 2023
By Morgan Pierce
It seems timely to address some of the myths about solar power that might concern consumers. By 2030, solar and wind could be providing over a third of global energy, setting up the electricity system to deliver ambitious net-zero targets.
That good news, from research conducted by the Rocky Mountain Institute, an independent energy think tank, came as the world’s leaders met at #COP28 in Dubai to brainstorm solutions to the climate crisis.
Much of the excitement at #COP28 has been around ways to limit global warming by boosting uptake of renewable energy. That excitement has been particularly keen with regard to solar power.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), solar generation increased by record amounts in 2022. In fact, solar power “demonstrated the largest absolute generation growth of all renewable technologies in 2022, surpassing wind for the first time in history… Continuous growth in the economic attractiveness of PV, massive development in the supply chain and increasing policy support, especially in China, the United States, the European Union and India, are expected to further accelerate capacity growth in the coming years.”
As we pointed out here a few weeks ago, the move to solar power may have already passed an “irreversible tipping point”. This means that solar could become the world’s leading source of power by 2050.
No wonder, then, that there are some people lining up to take aim at the industry. A right-wing U.S. political group, for instance, dropped an article last week claiming to reveal “8 Facts About Solar Energy that the Left Doesn’t Want You to Know”. Anyone who’s had their eyes open over the last twelve months, though, knows the climate crisis isn’t a Left or Right issue, it isn’t just something being “pushed” by Eamon Ryan or “the Greens” – it is the existential threat the world faces.
Myth: Solar panels are bad for the environment
This canard has been around for years. And 20 or 30 years ago, it might have been true that it took more energy to produce a solar panel than that panel was able to produce in its lifespan. That’s just not the case in 2023. Nowadays, solar panels are built to last up to 25 years, and the environmental “payback time” has fallen to between 2 to 5 years.
And when your solar power system finally does come to the end of its lifespan, most parts – including batteries – can be recycled.
Finally, most solar panels rely on silicon – one of the earth’s most abundant elements – as their main component. The silicon cells manufactured from one tonne of sand produce as much electricity as burning 500,000 tonnes of coal.
Myth: Solar is too expensive – only the rich can afford to switch.
Solar power systems are made to order, so a reputable qualified installer won’t sell you more than you require to fill your needs. At SolarSmart, we offer a free consultation and guidance on what’s best for you with one of our advisors. The Irish government offers generous incentives for solar energy, such as the Solar Electricity PV Grant – worth up to €2,400 (reduced to €2,100 in January 2024) . Your SolarSmart advisor will lead you through the process of getting the funding you need.
Myth: Solar power only works when the sun is shining.
Solar panels absorb both direct and indirect sunlight, so they do produce electricity on cloudy days. Even on days with heavy cloud cover, solar panels can produce up to 25% of the power they generate in bright sunlight. Rainy weather can even improve your systems overall performance – by cleaning panels of dust and grime so that they operate more effectively when the sun does shine. Ireland gets between 1,400-1,700 hours of sunlight per year. That equates to 5 or 6 hours a day over most of the country. That’s plenty.
Myth: Solar won’t work for us because my family is out of the house during the day so we use most of our electricity at night.
Once solar power is created it must be used immediately. If you or other family members are at home during the day, you may be able to use a large proportion of the electricity you generate. To make the most of the peak production time, charge battery-powered devices like laptops and phones during the day if you can. Or use timers to run the washing machine, dryer or dishwasher during the day.
For many of us, though, higher energy usage does begin when we get home from work. Often that’s after the sun goes down, not during the peak energy production period for solar panels. That’s where a battery comes in.
A battery added to your solar power installation provides a way of storing the energy produced during those peak times, so that it is there when you need it. Storing the power generated by your own system means having to buy less from your energy provider.
Myth: Solar panels won’t provide power during a general power outage.
This one is half true – solar panels alone won’t provide power in a blackout. If you want back-up power during a blackout, you will need to consider investing in a battery to store electricity for use when your grid connection goes down. Even then, the battery can only provide enough charge to power one appliance at a time, such as the fridge or your wifi router.
Myth: Installing solar is complicated and requires a lot of maintenance.
While we don’t recommend the “do-it-yourself” approach to installing solar power, if you use a licensed installer, the process is straightforward. The whole installation usually takes no more than two working days.
Solar arrays are designed to last up to 25 years or more, and require little maintenance – an occasional wash with soap and water keeps the panels free of grime. All SolarSmart systems come with a 2-year installation warranty. Most solar PV panels come with a 25-year manufacturer’s product warranty and a 30-year linear performance warranty. Our inverters and batteries come with a 10-year warranty.
Myth: It’s difficult to get planning permission to install solar
Planning permission is no longer required for solar PV panels. If your house is a protected structure or listed building, we recommend you seek guidance from your local planning authority before undertaking any work.
Myth: Solar panels will decrease the value of your home and make it harder to sell.
Actually, potential buyers are attracted by the idea of reducing their carbon footprint and long-term energy costs. Studies reported by the respected industry journal, Architectural Digest, show that solar panels significantly increase the value of your home.
In Ireland, auctioneers estimate that you will increase the value of your home by €12,000-€15,000 by installing solar power.
You, too, can save thousands of euros per year by generating clean, green electricity from sunlight; earn money by selling your excess electricity back to the grid; and increase the value of your home.
Investing in Solar Power systems can bring many benefits, including reduced energy bills, increased energy independence, and a reduced carbon footprint. If you are interested in installing a solar panel system, it is worth exploring the different grant options available and seeking professional advice from one of our solar energy advisors.
Feel free to contact us for more information, we’re here to help.