What are some misconceptions about solar energy?
- Solar energy only works when the sun is shining
- Going solar is too expensive
- You can’t go solar unless you own the house the panels will be installed on
- You can only install solar panels on the roof
- Installing solar panels is complicated and might damage your roof
Investing in solar energy is a rising trend in the Philippines as well as the rest of the world. Despite that, there are still people who don’t believe in the efficiency and effectiveness of going solar. This is likely because they are misinformed about the concept and mistakenly believe in one or more of the myths and misconceptions about solar energy.
At Solaric, we want to do more than just solar panel setups. We also want to educate the general public about solar energy, harnessing it for personal use and exporting it for others. We take it upon ourselves to correct the misconceptions people have about going solar, and we’ve compiled a few of the most common ones in this article. Here’s our take on the myths and misconceptions people have about turning on the sun.
Myth #1: Solar energy only works when the sun is shining
Even in low light, cloudy or rainy conditions, your solar panels can still work effectively, because sunlight still reaches the earth. The sun is an incredibly powerful source, so even a little energy from sunlight is more than enough to power your home. Additionally, sometimes it’s even better for solar power conversion when the weather is cold, because heat interferes with sunlight’s conversion into electricity.
Myth #2: Going solar is too expensive
Admittedly, solar power used to be a brand new technology and, as with any new innovation, the costs for it weren’t cheap. But that was then. Nowadays, the demand for more sustainable sources of energy has boomed, prompting suppliers to follow. Thus, going solar has never been more affordable.
Data shows that solar energy price in the Philippines has been declining during the past years. The cost of solar PV systems was reduced by 48.4% in 2011. In 2021, solar PV continued to drop to more than 80%. The drop in solar energy price is caused by several factors, including lower solar installation equipment costs, government solar incentives, and better panel manufacturing costs.
As a bonus, there are a lot of additional perks to going solar that also contribute to your financial status: you might be able to achieve the ZeroBill, you can supply your excess power back to the grid and get paid for the surplus, there are incentives from the government, and you add more value to your home or building by going solar as well.
Myth #3: You can’t go solar unless you own the house the panels will be installed on
Just because your house doesn’t have solar panels on it doesn’t mean you can’t leverage solar energy yourself. There are community solar programs available, or if someone else is providing solar energy for a fee, you can import it from them. Bottom line is, if you really want to convert to solar power for its benefits to the environment, society, and the economy, there’s a way to do so.
Myth #4: You can only install solar panels on the roof
Not true! Solar panels are usually installed on the roof because that’s the area that gets the most sunlight, but if you have a similarly-lit place in your home like a yard, a patio, or even a balcony, you can mount your panels there. There are a few benefits that roof mounting provides, of course—the panels not getting in your way is one of them—but again, if you really want it, you don’t have to be limited by what the usual practice is.
Myth #5: Installing solar panels is complicated and might damage your roof
Installing solar panels isn’t that complicated—it can even be done by yourself. But we recommend getting an expert to do it, to make sure it’s done properly and doesn’t damage your roof. If done right, the installation of solar panels isn’t meant to cause any damage to your roof at all. In fact, it can even protect your roof since it adds a layer of protection between your roof and the elements.
Key Takeaway
As you can see, most of the myths and misconceptions about solar energy that people have can be argued with a solar expert and proven false. There has never been a better time to go solar, and for a country like the Philippines, it’s such a viable option that it’s practically common sense.
Turning on the sun with Solaric allows you to not only reap the general benefits of going solar but also to experience full, dedicated service from a team of experts. We take each project seriously, whether it’s our solar panel installation, instructing the future users of solar energy, or facilitating our Solar 101 and 202 Seminars.
Contact us today if you’d like to know more about solar energy, get a quote for our solar panel installation, or discover how to get that coveted zero bill. We look forward to partnering with you for a bright, sunlit future!