Top Five Myths About Solar Panels

Ever since the bankruptcy of Fremont, California-based solar panel manufacturer Solyndra, the buzz on solar power has been less than enthusiastic. But what if the things most people thought they knew about solar panels turned out to be incorrect? That’s right, while many have an unfavorable view of solar panels what they don’t know is that they actually work. Not only that, but they just might be our next great energy hope.

To truly understand solar panels it is first important to break down what exactly it is they are made of and how they function. Photovoltaic cells are made by sandwiching two thin semiconductors (most often silicon wafers) between a clear (glass) front and a metal backing. When photons of visible light hit the top silicon layer, they dislodge electrons that are captured in conductive wires as electricity. Many cells are linked together to form a panel, and a number of panels are used in an array, as in a “roof top array.” That’s really all there is to it.

As a premise, this is pretty simple, but over the years critics have pointed out a number of perceived defects in both design and application. And while there are certainly honest criticisms to be made about any energy source, the majority of those leveled at photovoltaics are either misleading or false. Here is a list of the top myths about solar panels.

1. Solar Panels Need Constant Sunlight in Order to Function

This is one of the great myths about solar panels. If it were at all true then these devices certainly wouldn’t be as common as they are in a country as drizzly as England. Common sense dictates that something called a “solar” panel would need as much light as possible in order to function. That’s a reasonable assumption, but the truth is solar panels are designed to run on indirect sunlight as well. Even on oppressively overcast days there is still a small amount of visible light, and that is enough to provide some solar energy to the panels.

2. You Have to Be Rich to Afford Solar Panels

Reasonable people can disagree as to whether certain high-end solar panels are cost prohibitive, but there are plenty of solar panels on the market that should accommodate a variety of budgets. In fact, the cost of solar panels usually has to do with a number of factors. An urban home with a flat roof can be outfitted with a large solar panel relatively cheaply. On the other hand, a rural house with an irregular shaped roof may be more expensive to equip. This has to do with the distance the installer has to drive, as well as the fact that irregular-shaped roofs require specifically sized solar panels. That home probably has a more expensive roof, too, but no one says that’s the problem with roofs.

To truly maximize affordability, a number of “solar lease” companies now offer programs where they install panels on your home, sometimes for no cost at all. You get the benefit of a reduced electric bill, and they get the benefit of selling the extra electricity back to the power company.

3. There’s No Incentive to Install Solar Panels

In fact, there are nothing but incentives. As of right now, there is a 30% federal tax credit for those who outfit their homes with solar panels. And those who live in any other state besides North or South Dakota can count on receiving a solar/renewable energy incentive from that particular state. However, the biggest incentive to installing solar panels is the per-year savings they provide. A home with a three-kilowatt solar system can count on that system generating 2500 kilowatts of power per year. That’s nearly two-thirds of an average home’s electrical needs. And when it comes time to sell, solar panels most definitely add to the home’s value.

4. Solar Panels Require Constant Maintenance

In truth, a solar panel is about as self-contained as one device can be. Almost all solar panels on the market are guaranteed to last decades — provided the owner keeps them clean. This durability allows solar panels to hold up very well under heavy weather conditions such as snow, rain and even hail.

5. Solar Panels are Erratic and Inconsistent

While solar panels are high-tech in design, they are relatively simple in terms of theory. They are basically plug-and-play machines that have no moving parts and therefore very little that can malfunction, so manufacturers can offer very strong guarantees. One other added benefit is there are no power outages to worry about with a solar panel like there is with a power grid.

Panels will continue to be added to rooftops as consumers and businesses look for both economical and environmental energy solutions. There are even portable panels for cell phones and other emergency uses, as well as car-mounted panels and others. The fact that there are economic problems for manufacturers has more to do with supply and demand of materials and international trade issues than the consumer market. Solar makes sense, and new innovations are improving solar technologies all the time.

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George Zeed is an an avid outdoorsman and environmentalist. He is also the “go to guy” for information when shopping for discount MotoBatt batteries.

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