10 Solar Electricity Myths vs. Facts

You don’t have to settle for large, bulky panels to enjoy the benefits of switching to solar. Solar array technology has improved to make panels thinner and lighter. Today, it’s even possible to buy solar shingles that resemble typical roofing materials and blend in with your home’s aesthetics and curb appeal. 

Switching to solar can also work to your advantage by allowing you to set a higher selling price when you put your house on the market. According to the 2021 Zillow Group Consumer Housing Trends Report, 67% of potential homebuyers were willing to pay an average of 4.1% more for homes with solar panels.

Solar panels have very few moving parts and are easy to clean. You’ll need to hose them down occasionally to remove dust, pollen and dirt that can prevent them from functioning at full efficiency. You’ll also benefit from scheduling periodic inspections.

While solar tends to work best in sunnier climates, solar panels can collect UV rays even on overcast days and generate up to 25% of their maximum power output, according to Wizer Energy. On top of that, you can connect at-home battery storage to your solar panels to provide energy at night. During power outages, you will still have electricity to keep your home comfortable. And, unless you choose to go fully off-grid, you can switch back to drawing power from your local utility company if your solar panels fall short of your energy needs.

Professionally installed solar panels should never cause problems with your roof. Engineers always consider a roof’s integrity and structural soundness when designing and installing solar arrays. They will also account for your roof’s orientation and pitch to ensure your panels collect the maximum available amount of sunlight.

Winter does not detract from solar panels’ performance as much as you might think. While a blanket of snow covering the panels will prevent them from producing a lot of energy, solar panels retain heat. When energy photons penetrate the solar panels’ black, angled surface, the snow melts and slides off, leaving them clean and free from obstruction.

Additionally, it may surprise you to learn that solar panels are more efficient in cold weather. That’s because colder temperatures make electrical current transmission more efficient by reducing the resistance of the wiring.

While solar panels generate electricity without emitting carbon emissions, manufacturing them contributes to greenhouse gas pollution by using fossil fuels and precious metals like lithium, silver, copper, indium and tellurium. Solar panel facilities also use a lot of energy and water. However, over their lifetimes, solar panel installations emit 25 times less carbon dioxide equivalent per kWh than coal-powered electricity. They also have a much quicker return on investment than coal or natural gas.

While technological improvements are necessary to minimize the environmental effects of solar panel production and develop effective methods to recycle solar panel materials, solar is still a far better option than non-renewable energy alternatives and an essential solution to mitigating climate change’s effects.

One enduring criticism of solar is that it’s inconsistent. They create plenty of energy when the sun is shining brightly, but little to none at night or during overcast days. While most of the solar systems installed in Ontario connect to the grid, people are increasingly choosing to add home battery storage solutions. Plus, you can accurately predict solar availability by checking Canada’s solar resource data.

Furthermore, if you choose to participate in a net metering program, you can build up kWh credits in the summer to use in the winter.

While solar panel manufacturers are always finding ways to make their products more efficient, today’s solar arrays can already supply 100% of your household energy needs while reducing your reliance on fossil fuels, saving you money and shrinking your carbon footprint. There’s no reason to wait for an arbitrary milestone when you can request a quote from experienced installers today. 

If you install a solar panel system with a 25-year lifespan, you’re essentially locking in your electricity prices for the next quarter-century. You don’t have to be a financial genius to realize the benefits of saving that much money over the long run.

While solar panels are mostly glass, the tempered glass used to make them is highly durable. Solar panels can withstand harsh weather conditions like hail and wind. Most solar panels last at least 25 years, and companies offer warranties to back up their products’ quality. To maximize their efficiency and longevity, you’ll want to clean your panel array approximately once every few years.