Solar Myth 1
“I won’t live in my home long enough to earn an ROI on solar panels.”
Fact: Solar panels pay for themselves within five to seven years, depending on system design and location. Newly introduced incentives for commercial systems can provide an ROI within two to three years. Solar panels also increase a home or commercial premises resale value.
Solar Myth 2
“You cannot generate electricity from solar panels on cloudy or rainy days.”
Fact: So long as there’s daylight, you can convert solar radiation into electricity using solar cells. So, even if it’s cloudy or raining during the day, you can still capture the benefit of solar radiation, just to a lesser extent. Additionally, cold temperatures actually increase the conductivity of solar panels, making them more efficient in converting sunlight into electricity. This means that solar panels can work well in areas with cold, cloudy climates, such as Ireland.
Solar Myth 3
“Solar panels convert the heat from the sun into electricity.”
Fact: It’s not heat that’s converted into electricity, but rather it’s the electromagnetic radiation that’s converted. Many think that the hotter it is, the more electricity is generated. But a solar panel reacts to heat much like your phone or computer – less efficiently. Solar generation is at its most optimal under sunny and cool conditions, like during springtime in Ireland. That’s the season when we see our top production rates.
Solar Myth 4
“It is a lot of trouble to maintain solar panels.”
Fact: Solar panels have no moving parts and do not require regular maintenance. We recommend dusting off the panels once in a while, but many panel owners rely on the rain to do this instead. Thanks to intelligent monitoring software, you can detect any drop in power generation that might need attention.
Solar Myth 5
“Solar panels will cause damage to your roof.”
Fact: Solar panels actually benefit the portion of the roof they cover by protecting and preserving it. In the unlikely event that the roof the panels are sitting on is damaged and needs to be repaired, the panel can be easily removed since they aren’t directly attached to the roof; they are just mounted on top of it.
Solar Myth 6
“Solar is too expensive.”
Fact: Solar is a great choice for people looking to save money on electricity. Modern financing options make it much easier to afford the upfront costs of installation, and many households can now go solar for little to no money down. Also, solar pays for itself over time. Unlike pretty much anything else you buy for your home – like a sofa, or a refrigerator.
Solar Myth 7
“Solar panels will cause more harm to the environment when they’re thrown away.”
Fact: There are inactive chemicals within solar panels that can be dangerous were the panels to be disposed of unsafely. However, this is easily thwarted if you take the time to recycle properly.
Solar Myth 8
“It won’t make any difference to the environment.”
Fact: We all know that we need to become more environmentally friendly and solar is a great way to do your bit. The more people who have solar panels on their homes, the bigger difference it makes to the Ireland’s overall carbon emissions. Using solar means you rely less on the old oil and gas emissions that are causing climate change. With solar and battery solutions, you can generate renewable power for your home and the grid.
Solar Myth 9
“Solar power is too new, it’s better to wait until it improves.”
Fact: The technology behind solar is more than 100 years old. While it is fair to say that solar power wasn’t viable for a long time, huge strides have been made in efficiency and in reducing solar panel costs in the last few years — meaning there has never been a better time to invest in solar.
We hope you found our article helpful! For a complimentary site survey and quotation, feel free to reach out to our dedicated team. We are here to address any inquiries and guide you through the entire process.
Contact us via 071 931 0111 or submit an enquiry form here.
