THE TOP TEN MYTHS

Myth 1: Solar will get more efficient, so I should wait?

Fact: These days the media loves to hype emerging technologies, but the truth is we’re still using the same solar technology we were back in the 1960’s. Since then, solar has become only moderately more efficient (unlike computers or mobile phones which experience dramatic improvements in short periods of time). Given this stable technology profile and the Government backed, index linked and tax free Feed in Tariff (FIT) incentive, solar makes sense right now. In March 2012 there is likely to be a change in the Tariif structure reducing the returns on offer today. If you book an installation prior to March 2012 then the current guaranteed returns will be honoured for the next 25 years. Once installed, your panels will continue to work for decades.

Myth 2: Solar doesn’t work in cool, cloudy, or foggy climates - True or False?

Fact: Solar panels work just fine in ambient light and will produce significant energy in the fog or on overcast days. In fact, solar panels are actually more efficient at cooler temperatures than hot ones. Although this might seem counter-intuitive, consider that solar panels on a rooftop in cool, foggy Liverpool produce only one percent less electricity than one in Cornwall. Consider too that Germany leads the world in residential solar right now, and doesn’t have a sunny climate.

Myth 3: Can I store the excess energy I generate in batteries.

Fact: Nearly all modern solar panel systems are grid tied which means they’re connected to the conventional electricity grid. Your system generates power during the day and excess is fed back into the grid through a system called net metering. When this happens, your meter spins backwards and your utility company credits you for that power. At night , you’ll use grid power, but you don’t generally get charged for it because of all the credit you’ve generated. This grid tied method tends to be the most convenient for homeowners. Batteries are an option for those who really want them, but they’re very expensive, bulky, and have to be replaced every five to ten years.

Myth 4: Do solar panels require maintenance?

Fact: Solar panels have no moving parts and do not require regular maintenance. Typically the recommendation is to hose down the panels once a year or so, but many panel owners actually never clean the panels and instead rely on the rain to do the job for them. Typically this will cause only a very slight loss in efficiency (about 5 percent) over the lifetime of the panels. Of course, if any large debris falls onto the panels, it’s recommended you remove it. These days, solar systems come with monitoring software that allows any drops in power generation to be detected right away. Your installer is linked into your monitoring system too, so most times they’ll even be aware of drops in a panel’s power output before you are! Pretty slick.

Myth 5 : Will solar panels will cause my roof to leak, deteriorate, or collapse.

Fact: Solar panels actually protect and preserve the portion of the roof they cover, but don’t take our word for it. If there’s ever a problem with the roof that needs to be repaired, panels can easily be removed. Most solar panels are not attached directly to the roof itself, but rather to a mounted railing system. Installers add sealants to fill in any gaps and often the mounts are surrounded by metal “flashing,” or coverings that act as an extra barrier from the elements. Note: if your roof already leaks or needs to be replaced, it makes sense to make roof repairs first before installing solar panels.

Myth 6: Solar is still so expensive that it will never be able to pay for itself (just like hybrid cars). Is this still the case?

Fact: Perhaps one of the most unfortunate solar myths is that it’s only for rich people and/or environmentalists, when in reality many property owners choose to go solar simply because it eliminates their big monthly electricity bill. In fact, solar is a very wise choice to reduce energy bills significantly. Modern financing options have all but eliminated the barrier to entry for solar (big upfront costs), so many property owners are now able to install solar completely FREE OF CHARGE !. Solar is one of the very few capital purchases that will actually pay for itself.

This is why so many property owners are waking up to the notion of of fitting Solar. Additionally, this why we are able to fit FREE SOLAR - the return is guaranteed, index-linked and tax free along with vastly reduced power bills.

Myth 7: When the power goes out, is my my home is still powered?

Fact: When the power goes out, grid-tied systems go out too. That’s because it’s not safe to be pushing electricity back out onto the wires while workers may be trying to fix the problem, so your inverter (the big box near your meter that turns DC electricity created by the panels into usable AC current) recognizes that the grid is out and shuts your system off. The solution? Spend a couple hundred on a generator or don’t worry about it too much; the power doesn’t go off that often.

Myth 8: Will Solar Panels look ugly on my roof?

Fact: Haven’t you heard? Solar is the new black. In the last ten years there’s been a growing awareness of how smart renewable energy is from both environmental and economic perspective, so solar panels are finally coming into their own and being regarded as an enhancement instead of an eyesore. It’s about time! Homeowners’ associations that used to be steadfastly against solar have changed their policies and are now going solar in groups. For homeowners who don’t like the look of traditional solar panels, there are now many options and styles, including thin-film and non-reflective solar panel roofing shingles. These styles are discreet and lower-profile than the panels of the 1960’s. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (and the Pound Earner)!

Myth 9: Will Installing solar panels will reduce my property value?

Fact:  From an investment perspective, this means that installing solar panels will increase the resale value of your property without costing you an extra penny. If Solar panels are fitted to a property then a prsopective new buyer is lilely to choose the low cost electricity option in prefernece to a property without. Recent statistics show that property values go up not down with solar capability. The same cannot be said for other home investments such as swimming pools, a new deck, etc.

Myth 10: Do solar panels require a tracking system to follow the angle of the sun ?

Fact: Though tracking mechanisms can provide efficiency gains for your solar panel system, they typically do not increase efficiency enough to justify the additional expense and maintenance of moving parts in residential situations. More importantly, most homeowners don’t have the additional space required for these systems.

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