Debunking Scary Myths About Solar Panels

Companies that install solar panels hear a lot of questions and objections to solar panels that are based on myths and outdated information. If you’ve been hesitant to invest in a solar PV system because you were afraid solar panels would make it harder to sell your house or that you wouldn’t get enough electricity for your needs, these answers should set your mind at ease.

Will My Solar panels Only Produce Energy When It’s Sunny?

That’s certainly a reasonable question here in the UK, where sunlight seems to be at a premium. However, solar PV systems don’t need a sunny day to produce electricity – they just need daylight. The sunnier it is the more energy they’ll produce, but in Germany, which gets about the same number of sunny days as we get in the UK, about 18% of the electricity used is produced by solar panels.

Do Solar Panels Have to Be Mounted on My Roof?

A south-ish facing roof is the best place to put solar panels, but it’s not the only place you can put them.  You can also have solar PV panels installed on a wall that faces south or even, if you have the room on your property and your local codes allow it, on a free-standing frame on the ground.

Does My Roof Have to Face South?

A south-facing roof is the best option for solar panels because it gets the most direct sunlight. However, if your roof is within 90 degrees of south – that is, oriented southwest or southeast or any direction between the two – solar panels will still generate enough electricity to make investing in a solar PV system a good idea.

Are Solar Panels an Alternative to My Normal Source of Electricity?

While some people completely switch over from traditional electricity sources to solar power, it’s far more common to install a grid-tied system. In a grid-tied system, you’ll use solar electricity when your solar panels are generating energy and draw from your usual electricity supplier when you need more than your panels produce. You don’t have to do a thing to switch between the two – it’s all automatic. You’ll never notice a difference between one power source and the other.

Will I Have to Get Planning Permission to Install Solar Panels?

In most cases, you don’t need special permission to install solar panels, though there are some exceptions. If you’re not certain, check with your council or local agency to find out what permissions are required to allow solar PV systems.

Do Solar Panels Go Wrong All the Time?

Actually, solar PV systems require very little maintenance at all. They have no moving parts and don’t require tracking systems to keep them aligned to direct sunlight. They don’t break down or wear out. The only part of your system that is likely to need replacing is the inverter, which will last about 10 years before it needs replacing.

Solar panels are an excellent investment both for your wallet and for our energy future. Don’t let misinformation and confusion keep you from investing.