Five Myths of Solar Power
With so much information available to consumers, it’s no wonder that some people have many misconceptions about the benefits of solar power. We’re here to bust those myths! Here are five common misconceptions about solar power:
MYTH #1: Solar devices require more energy to manufacture than they produce in their lifetime.
FACT:
In a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) conclusively demonstrates that energy payback for photovoltaic (PV) power is, in the worst case, less than 4 years. Given that PV module lifetimes are generally in excess of 30 years, a PV system will produce far more energy than it consumes over its lifetime.
Energy output and input ratios for concentrating solar power (CSP) and solar thermal devices are even more favorable, given their simple manufacture. This myth has its origins in the early history of PV power, when devices were essentially custom-fabricated for military, space and research markets.
MYTH #2: Solar won’t work where I live.
FACT:
Solar thermal is dependent on heat and PV Solar devices are dependent on light – and this light does not need to be direct.
More important than place-to-place variations in solar intensity is the price of daytime electricity where you live and the existence of state incentives for clean energy.
MYTH #3: Photovoltaics cannot significantly offset environmental emissions.
FACT:
PV systems produce no atmospheric emissions or greenhouse gases. Compared to fossil-generated electricity, each kilowatt of PV electricity annually offsets up to:
- 16 kilograms of nitrogen oxides
- 9 kilograms of sulfur oxides
- 2,300 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2)
If the industry grows by the 25% per year as predicted PV in the United States will offset 10 million metric tons of CO2 per year by 2027 — equivalent to the annual increase emitted by U.S. fossil fuel electricity generation. This means that the emission rate will become negative thereafter as the PV contribution grows!
MYTH #4: Photovoltaic systems are too expensive and will never compete with “the big boys” of power generation. Besides, you can never get the energy out that it takes to produce the system.
FACT:
The energy payback period is dropping rapidly. For example, it takes today’s typical crystalline silicon module about 4 years to generate more energy than went into making the module in the first place. The next generation of silicon modules, which will employ a different grade of silicon and use thinner layers of semiconductor material, will have an energy payback of about 2 years. This means that these modules will produce “free” and clean energy for the remaining 28 years of their expected life.
MYTH #5: Solar power systems are too expensive for widespread usage.
FACT:
Solar PV technologies have declined in price every year since they were introduced onto the market, driven by improved research and development, and most of all by steady increases in sales volume. (In 1954, approximately one watt of PV generating devices was manufactured. In 2004, approximately one billion watts will be manufactured worldwide.)
Every solar panel purchased makes the next one cheaper, in stark contrast to nonrenewable sources, which become scarcer and more expensive with every ton that is burned.
PV has recently exploded into a number of industrial markets, where it is quite simply the lowest -cost source of power available. These include highway warning signs, rural irrigation applications and remote electrical and communications devices. Similarly, for any application more than about half a mile away from the electrical grid, a solar system will likely prove less expensive than will power line construction.
The most rapidly-growing segment of the solar industry is for “grid connected” systems – rooftop solar panels on homes or businesses that remain connected to the conventional electrical grid. In some cases, as where electricity is more expensive during the middle of the day, or when solar is used to support power-critical applications (e.g. banking, microchip manufacturing), the economics are very compelling without further incentives. In other places, comparatively modest state or federal incentives can make solar a great investment for home or business owners that better with every year.
Solar Photovoltaic vs. Solar Thermal
One of the most asked questions we get is whether a person should get solar photovoltaic panels or solar thermal panels. While the answer to that question lies in how much direct sunlight a roof gets, how big a roof is, and other factors, we thought it’d be helpful to first understand the differences between the two types of solar panel systems.
Solar Photovoltaic
Also called solar electric, photovoltaics are primarily used to provide energy to your home. They consist of an array of photovoltaic cells, made of silicon, that capture sunlight and convert it into energy. These systems integrate with your electric company’s power grid, off-setting the amount of energy you receive from the power company. Solar electric systems allow you to receive the financial benefits of both SRECs and Net Metering.
Solar Thermal
Solar Thermal systems, also called solar water heating systems, collect the sun’s energy and use it to heat the water in your house. The panels contain tubes filled with glycol, a non-toxic liquid similar to anti-freeze. Solar thermal panels trap the sun’s heat, which heats the glycol. Then, the glycol is moved through the tubes to a heat transfer system that heats your water. Depending on the size of the system, you can heat the water you use for bathing and washing. Or, if your home is heated with water radiant heat and can support a larger system, you could heat your entire house! Either way, you’ll save a lot of money on your electricity bill.
How to choose the right system
There are many factors that go into choosing which type of solar panel system to install. Here are a few questions that we typically ask when we do a solar analysis:
- Do you want to reduce or eliminate your electric bill?
- Are you concerned about future energy costs?
- Do you want to have a positive impact on the environment?
- Are you concerned about the appearance of a solar panel system?
- How much space do you have?
- Do you want to improve the resale value of your home?
- How much are you currently paying for electricity?