Common Misconceptions about Solar Energy (and What you Need to Know instead)

Thinking about moving to solar energy? You’re not alone.

As homeowners look for more ways to live sustainably, using sunlight to power your home and reduce energy bills sounds exciting. But separating facts from myths can feel overwhelming with so much different information out there to sift through.

You might also be concerned about financial costs or whether or not you can even use solar energy because you live in a colder climate.

We’re here to help provide insight into five of the most common myths related to solar energy so you can confidently move forward in your decision.

Now, let’s dive into a few of the most common myths about solar energy.

Myth 1: Solar Energy is Too Expensive

For homeowners, affordability and savings are two major features when considering the switch to solar energy.

The myth that solar energy is too expensive usually comes from seeing upfront costs, which, depending on install partners, equipment, and installation, could run upwards of $20,000 on average to get started.

However, homeowners can claim the Residential Clean Energy Credit to help recoup 30 percent of costs through a tax credit when filing a return. Plus, additional savings through incentives or rebates – usually offered through utility companies – is another way to make the switch financially possible.

A helpful way to see if solar energy is right for you is to determine monthly energy costs. The more you spend each month on the electric bill, the bigger savings you’ll see when moving to solar.  

Myth 2: Solar Panels Decrease Home Values

As with all technology, early solar panels once appeared bulky and didn’t usually blend well with natural roofing materials.

But times have changed!

Today, sleek, all-black solar panels are more aesthetically pleasing and can better be installed to complement the roof and home design. Moreover, solar installation increases home property values –  up to $20 for every $1 saved on annual utility bills.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to your preference as a homeowner and how solar panels fit into your sustainability needs.  

Myth 3: Solar Panels Only Work in Warm Regions

Whether you live in cloudy Washington or sunny Florida – and anywhere in between – you can use solar energy to power your home.

Solar radiation makes it through cloud cover (ask anyone sunburned on an overcast day!) to solar panels, even on cloudy or rainy days. Because solar panels need the sun to produce electricity for the home, energy generation is only reduced by 10 to 25 percent during inclement weather.

To make sure your solar panels are most cost-efficient and get the most direct sunlight, it’s recommended to prepare and review designs before moving forward in the installation process.

With a site survey, install partners can identify which part of the roof gets ample direct sunlight and where trees or nearby structures might cast panels in the shade.

Myth 4: Solar Panels Means Living Off the Grid

One of the most common reasons homeowners feel nervous about installing solar panels is that they’ll be living ‘off the grid’ and dependent on solar energy 100 percent of the time.

While there are certain solutions available for homeowners who want to power the home exclusively through solar energy, the beauty of grid-tied systems is you get the best of both worlds: solar energy is used to power the home during the day and at night, the home taps into the electric grid to keep things running smoothly and efficiently.

A grid-tied system also means lower electric bills through net metering or NEM. 

As the solar panel produces energy throughout the day, you’ll offset the cost of using electricity by accumulating credit that can be applied to the monthly bill.  

Use more solar energy than electricity? Your bill is covered for that month (and potentially longer).

Myth 5: Solar Panels Require Too Much Maintenance

When investing in solar panels and home electrification, the last thing you want to worry about is replacing your system every few years.

The good news is that’s not the case. In fact, solar panels are built to last with very minimal maintenance.

At Monalee, our solar panels come with a 25-year guarantee to produce as much energy as stated on your quote at installation time. By using high quality parts and joining with professional install partners, we’re confident our equipment is built to be affordable and highly efficient.

Moving Forward With Solar Energy

With new climate technology and incentives, there’s never been a better time to consider solar installation.

The best way to get started is by analyzing your current monthly energy costs and seeing how much solar energy can save you annually.