We know that there are a lot of common misconceptions about solar power floating around, so we decided to debunk some of the most common myths.
Myth #1: Solar panels are too expensive.
Fact: Solar panels are actually becoming very affordable. Their cost has dropped about 80% since 2008, bringing solar power into the price range of many middle class families. In addition, the panels can pretty easily pay for themselves in savings on energy bills and increased home value.
Myth #2: The solar industry doesn’t create jobs.
Fact: In the U.S. alone, over 5,000 solar companies employ more than 100,000 workers. Not only is the solar industry decreasing the U.S. dependency on fossil fuels and reducing carbon emissions, but it is also putting food on the tables of American families.
Myth #3: Solar panels don’t work in cold or cloudy places.
Fact: You don’t need bright sunny days every day to make solar make sense. In fact, some of the world’s leading solar users are cold, cloudy places (Germany, New Jersey, and Massachusetts all make the list). In fact, snow can make your solar panels even more effective because it reflects sunlight.
Myth #4: Solar panels will hurt the resale value of my home.
Fact: In recent studies, solar panels actually increased the value of homes by about $20,000 for every $1,000 in annual energy savings. This added up to homes with solar energy selling for about 17% more than homes without. In addition, these homes were shown to sell about 20% faster than homes that did not have solar panels, even in this tough market.
Myth #5: Solar panels are all made in China.
Fact: In actuality, the U.S. is a significant net exporter of solar panels, with many of these exports going to China. In 2010, we exported $5.6 billion dollars worth of solar energy products and solar installations in the U.S. created about $4.4 billion in value that stayed in the states.
Hopefully after this article, you feel a little more informed about the truth behind the solar power industry. Give us a call today if you’re interested in learning more or want to find out how much you can save with solar power.