Solar power is not perfect and grid power is far from ideal. One is obviously more environmentally friendly than the other…or is it? If you are debating adopting self-sufficient home energy, this article will help you put these falsehoods to rest. By tearing down the lies you’ve heard about solar energy, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether self-sufficient home energy is right for you and your family.
one) Lie number one is that: it takes more energy and creates more pollution to make solar panels than can be offset by the solar energy produced by the solar panels.
This link is simply not true. It has been shown that it only takes one year to offset the pollution created by the production of that solar panel. An average solar panel will last approximately 25 years. So, in a year, the negative impacts of building that solar panel will be nullified, leaving only clean energy produced naturally. Not bad. Also, keep in mind that more than 90% of an average solar panel is recyclable, including aluminum, glass, and the solar cells themselves.
two) The second common lie about solar power is that it only works in the hottest parts of the world and works best in the summer because it’s hotter.
Actually, solar panels work in almost all areas of the world. The world leader in solar energy at the moment is Germany and they are quite far north, don’t you think? Solar power will work anywhere from Alaska to Africa. Of course, panels will store more power in super sunny regions, but more isn’t necessarily better. Solar panels do not tolerate high temperatures for long periods of time. The hotter it is, the less efficient the panels become. Therefore, a balanced climate is better for solar panels to work at their best.
3)Solar panels do not work on cloudy days
This is not true, they work. Even in 100% cloudy conditions, the solar panels still work and generate enough clean electricity to produce power that can even save a little more on batteries. Cloudy conditions will reduce production, but it depends on the degree of daylight blockage.
4)I can sell my extra energy to the hydroelectric company and have electricity during blackouts.
While it’s true that if you set up with a grid-tied solar power system, you can sell your extra power to the hydro company, if you do, you won’t have power during power outages. It’s a great feeling that the hydro company pays you for the power instead of the other way around! However, if you are exporting power to the grid during a blackout, you could electrocute workers who are trying to fix the problem! And keep in mind that these grid connection systems cost more. For reliable, self-sufficient home power during blackouts, go it alone and store your extra power in home batteries.
5)You can get all the power you need from a mid-size solar power system
With so many power requirements in homes today, the amount of energy you’ll actually need to power all of those appliances, tools, gadgets, and electronics in a typical home is a lot more power than you might think. The best way to find out how big of a system you need is to look at your hydroelectric bill to figure out how many kilowatt hours you use per month. Divide that by 4-5 peak daylight/sun hours and you’ll find roughly what size system you’ll need to install to get that kind of power. Of course, if your biggest energy consumers – the stove, dryer, and heating system – can be set to run on a different type of fuel, like propane or wood, you’ll save dramatically on kilowatts. Consider any other energy efficiency measures that might reduce the size of the system you need. Even if solar power is green, saving energy is even greener!
6)Solar energy costs an arm and a leg
Depends… While home solar is definitely not as cheap as taking what you already have – the hydro company – it pays for itself over time. Of course, initially, you’ll have to shell out some hard-earned money to get set up with solar, but there are ways to reduce this pain. There are green loans to help you make the transition, and all sorts of government incentives to lower the upfront costs of going solar. Also keep in mind that as time goes on and consumer demand increases, prices go down.
