Energy derived from the sun is the most abundant resource on Earth. One hundred seventy-three thousand terawatts of solar energy strike the earth continuously. To put that into perspective, that amount of power makes up more than 10,000 times the world’s total energy use.
So it’s no wonder that we’ve been harvesting the sun’s rays for energy since the ancient Roman times.
But we’ve moved on from using the sun to start fires, to now utilizing it to power our factories, cars, and even our homes.
Since the 80s and 90s, residential solar panels has been saving homeowners money and helping them maintain a smaller carbon footprint.
Solar energy an excellent alternative to traditional sources of power, but many people still have their doubts. So let’s go ahead and discuss some of those points and put them to rest.
Here are four common misconceptions about using solar energy to power your home.
Solar energy is too expensive
When switching your home’s main source of power to solar energy, it’s natural to assume it’ll cost you an arm and a leg. After all, you have to pay for the upfront cost of the solar panels, the installation, and so on. However, states offer rebates and tax incentives for making the switch, cutting down the expense significantly. Skeptics would argue that only select states in the U.S. offer these incentives. But surprisingly, virtually every state offers its own version of these benefits.
Now, back to installation—you also have the option of installing the panels yourself, if you consider yourself to be quite handy around the house. You can cut down the cost this way, and still have some wiggle room in your budget. These are just a few ways solar energy can be accessible to anyone.
The solar panels only work when the sun is out
This would make for some pretty challenging winter and rainy days.
Thankfully, solar energy runs off the amount of sunlight emitted and not through outdoor temperature. So even when it’s the middle of winter, you’ll still have more than enough energy to power your home.
During the cloudy days, there is also a surprising amount of solar rays in the sky present. Though you might not be able to detect them—they can be undetectable to the naked eye in the cloudy climate— the solar panels can harness them without a problem.
I have to live a ‘green’ lifestyle
You’ve probably heard all of this talk about ‘going green.’ But what exactly does that mean? Going green means opting for more eco-friendly choices and choosing more sustainable options for the betterment of the planet. Yes, solar panels will help significantly reduce your carbon footprint, and produce less CO2 emissions into the air, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have to. Anyone can do their part while saving money on their electricity bill.
The solar panels will cause permanent damage to my roof
Installing solar panels can actually protect your roof from leaks and other damaging factors. The panels can be easily taken off and put back on, making repairs hassle-free too.
Installing solar panels is a great way to save money in the long run and introduce an eco-friendly source of renewable energy into your everyday life. It doesn’t have to be an expensive switch. Now that you have some more information on the common misconceptions on solar panels, you can make the best decision— and choose the energy source that’s right for you.