5 Solar Myths You Shouldn’t Believe
If you’ve looked into converting your home to solar power, you may have heard some myths about solar panels. We’re here to set the record straight.
In this blog, we’ll debunk the following 5 myths implying that solar panels:
- Are expensive and inefficient
- Only work in warm, sunny weather
- Are high maintenance
- Will damage your roof
- Decrease your property value
Thinking of converting to solar power? Call Photon Brothers at 720-370-3344 or schedule a free estimate online. Our experienced solar technicians are dedicated to providing high-quality solar panel installations while delivering customer service that’s worth raving about.
Myth #1: Solar panels are expensive and inefficient
The cost of installing solar panels has gone down significantly over the past decade—and will only keep decreasing as more people convert to solar.
The average solar panel installation costs between $15,000 and $25,000, but the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) lets you apply 26% of that installation cost toward what you owe in federal taxes.
Plus, if you’re looking to go solar, you won’t have to pay upfront in cash. Most solar installation companies offer financing options to help make solar power an affordable option for you.
Once your solar panels are installed, you can potentially save a lot on your utility bill. How much you’ll actually save depends on:
- How much electricity you use
- The size of your solar power system
- How much power your system can generate
- Electricity rates set by your Colorado utility company
- The amount your utility company offers for the extra solar energy you send back to the grid
You can learn more about going solar at energy.gov.
Myth #2: Solar panels only work in warm, sunny weather
Solar panels don’t always need bright, direct sunlight—any UV rays that hit the panel surface are converted into electricity. That said, the panels will generate electricity at a slower rate in cloudy weather, but still enough to meet your home’s electrical needs.
Plus, solar panels need light, not heat, which means they can even generate enough electricity to power your home during the cold, short daylight hours of Colorado winters. In fact, solar panels are more efficient in cold weather than they are in hot weather.
Myth #3: Solar panels are high maintenance
Once installed on your roof, solar panels require little to no maintenance. Most solar panel experts recommend cleaning the panels once or twice a year to remove any dirt or grime that they’ve accumulated to help improve efficiency.
Solar panels don’t have any moving parts, which means they don’t often require repairs. If you have a battery-based system—which is more expensive and less common than connecting the panels to your utility grid—the battery may require additional maintenance.
Plus, solar panels are designed to be durable, so they can withstand inclement weather like hail, sleet, snow, etc.
Myth #4: Solar panels will damage your roof
When properly installed, solar panels don’t damage your roof at all.
Before installing your panels, solar technicians will inspect your roof to make sure it’s in good condition and structurally sound enough to handle the additional weight.
If the solar panels do happen to damage your roof, most reliable solar installation companies will back their service with a warranty to make sure they fix anything that goes wrong. At Photon Brothers, we include a 25-year warranty on your panels.
Myth #5: Solar panels decrease property value
Solar panels will increase the value of your home and typically help your home sell faster than homes without them. Most potential homebuyers are starting to consider solar panels as upgrades, similar to the way they do a renovated kitchen or bathroom. This means they’re often willing to pay more—sometimes as much as $15,000 (according to energy.gov)—for a home that already has solar panels installed.
Want to convert your Colorado home to solar?
We’re committed to helping Colorado homeowners invest in your home and protect the environment through clean, affordable solar power. Call Photon Brothers at 720-370-3344 or contact us online for a free estimate.