The rising cost of traditional electricity and the growing desire for a more sustainable lifestyle are prompting many homeowners to consider solar panels. But, like any person who considers this eco-friendly switch, you start to research it and get bombarded with solar energy myths and facts.
Read on to debunk the 10 most common myths and explore the realities of solar power. By the end of this article, you’ll be aware of common solar panel myths and why they are untrue.
You can expect 40-70% of their standard output on a cloudy day. According to the latest research, panel productivity depends only on the Sun’s radiation, not on the clouds.
Even with slightly reduced efficiency on cloudy days, panels can significantly offset your electricity bills. While sunshine is important, scorching temperatures can affect solar efficiency. So, you may get more electricity during a moderately cloudy day with 77°F outside rather than in a cloudless 110°F day.
Another common solar myth that scares many Illinois homeowners is that panels become useless in winter. Meanwhile, slightly cold weather improves panels’ efficiency. Solar power generation relies on the photovoltaic effect, which converts sunlight into electricity.
The truth about solar panels is that colder temperatures improve the panels’ conductivity, slightly enhancing their efficiency compared to scorching days. However, extremely low temperatures (below 40°F) can harm panel productivity. Luckily for Chicago homeowners, the usual winter temperature is about 10-15°F. It means you can safely use solar panels during winter.
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A fun fact about solar panels in winter is that their productivity is tied to daylight hours, not temperature. Winter days in northern regions like Illinois are shorter, so your panels have less time to catch the daylight. We recommend tilting your panels to match the locations’ latitude.
However, it’s a solar panel fact that productivity and price are often connected. The more efficient options are usually expensive. For instance, panels from premium brands like Maxxeon, Tesla, or Canadian Solar can cost 40-60% more than average options.
While it’s a tricky situation, there is a way to benefit from solar energy, even for renters. Talk to your landlord and describe the benefits of solar energy. Discuss the possibility of installing a solar system for the entire building. Tell them facts about solar panels, such as increased property value and lower electricity bills.
If your area offers VNM programs, the landlord could install solar systems, and tenants could subscribe to receive a portion of the generated power at a reduced rate. It would save money while the landlord benefits from incentives and potentially increases property value.
The truth about solar power is that you don’t need to install it on your roof to benefit from it. The other way to use solar while renting is to subscribe to the nearest community solar farm. These programs allow you to subscribe to a solar farm and receive credits on your electricity bill based on the energy produced by your share.
One of the most common myths about solar panels is that they are too expensive for an average family. There are a lot of tax credits and local incentives that can lower the costs of installing the solar system. The most well-known federal initiative is the Solar Federal Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 30% of your solar system as a tax credit.
Chicago solar owners can use the Tax Assessment Reduction program, participate in the Illinois Shines program, and cover their nighttime electricity bills with net metering. They can also use alternative financing options like a solar loan, solar lease, or community farm subscription.
The true cost of solar panels depends on the chosen system capacity, battery installation, and preferred brand. The average price of solar panels in Chicago varies from $18,000 to $25,000. The amount you save on electricity bills depends on your energy usage, electricity rates, and system size. However, studies show that solar panels can significantly offset electricity costs, leading to payback periods of 5-10 years in many cases.
The idea that you can get completely free solar panels from the government is a misconception and one of the most popular solar panels myths. The truth about solar energy is that the government can make panels more affordable, but still, the system won’t be free.
As we said, Chicagoans can use federal, state, and city incentives like the ITC tax credit, Illinois Shines, and the Tax Assessment reduction. These credits and reductions reduce your federal tax liability but don’t provide a direct cash payment.
Low-income families can apply for the Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) program. Participants pay a reduced rate for the energy produced by their solar system, with a cap ensuring the cost remains less than 50% of the value they receive.
Ready to find the right solar system for your home? Don’t waste another minute — get your free solar quote right away!
It’s one of the most popular solar panels myths that frightened many potential solar system owners. In reality, it’s a timely, yet easy process. The most time-consuming part of the solar journey is waiting for local government authorizations. The actual installation will take 1-3 days, depending on roof and system complexities.
Reputable solar companies streamline this process even more. They’ll conduct a site assessment, design the system, obtain permits, and handle the installation itself. The actual installation process is often completed within a few days by trained professionals.
Some people in forums say that you can do it on your own, but it’s also one of the myths about a solar energy system. In this case, you’ll lose manufacturer warranty. That’s why we recommend collaborating only with reliable installer teams so you can be sure that your panels are secured by product and craftsmanship warranties.
While debunking solar energy myths, we can’t forget about this one. If a verified team correctly installs panels, you have nothing to be worried about. Proper installation is the key to success. Reputable solar companies use methods that secure the panels to your roof structure without compromising its integrity. They avoid excessive drilling or modifications that could create leaks.
Experienced installers take precautions to ensure proper flashing and sealing around the panel mounting points. It prevents water infiltration and protects your roof’s underlayment, debunking popular solar panels myths. Reputable installers consider the panels’ weight, providing additional strengthening if needed.
The interesting fact about solar panels is that they have a longer lifespan for every generation. The first experimental generation in the 1960s and 1970s had an average 3-7 years lifespan. Meanwhile, modern panels will last for 20+ years with almost original productivity.
The average degradation rate is typically around 0.5% to 1% annually, while solar energy myths claim that panels lose 3-5% of their productivity each year. Most manufacturers provide a performance warranty of 20-30 years. They claim their panels will have at least 80% of their original capacity even in the last warranty years.
It is one of those solar panel myths that raises major concerns about potential eco-conscious solar owners. However, it’s not valid today. As the solar industry matures, there’s a growing emphasis on responsible end-of-life management for solar panels. Legislation and recycling initiatives are here to ensure the usage of glass, aluminum, silicon, and copper elements.
New and improved eco-technologies can effectively recover these components for manufacturing new products. Solar recycling reduces the need for virgin materials, lowers energy consumption while producing new products, and minimizes the environmental impact of landfills.
Solar energy is a powerful and eco-friendly renewable energy solution for your energy independence. Now that you are aware of major solar myths and facts, you can make a truly informed decision when choosing your future systems.
Ready to find the right solar system for your home? Don’t waste another minute — get your free solar quote right away!