Dispelling the Most Common Solar Energy Myths

picture of sun in the distance

Solar power is one of those things that, while ticking all the boxes for a huge success, somehow still manages to lag behind in implementation.

Interest in this power source has been steadily rising recently, as we become more aware of the effects our carbon emissions have on climate and advances made installing such technology cheaper and easier than ever before. Not only does solar energy benefit your pocketbook, but the environment as well. And still, with some notable exceptions that we support wholeheartedly, governments are slow to invest and expand this renewable and to break our dependence on fossil fuel, even if the facts about solar energy support expanding its use.

There are always two sides to everything, and there is a list of disadvantages that complements all of its advantages. So we’re here to talk (or write) to the regular Joe, the guy on the streets, about them both. If the big shots won’t get this ball rolling, we’ll just have to do so for ourselves.

 

Sunny side up

sunny side up

One of the first arguments critics bring to the discussion is what they perceive as its unreliability — the fact that such panels don’t work when the Sun isn’t shining is a deal-breaker to them. And they do have a point — solar power cannot be harnessed during a storm, on a cloudy day or at night. This limits how much power can be saved for future days, and some days we may still need to rely on other means to feed our society’s need for energy.
But it holds true for any energy-producing method; a coal plant cannot function without coal. Wind turbines without wind are just expensive field ornamentation. A car without petrol (or batteries if it’s electric) won’t run, and you wouldn’t function without food and water.

However, Earth’s reserves of fossil fuel will deplete, so coal and petrol are something our grandchildren will learn about in history class. Once they’re gone, they’re gone for good, but the sun will always rise. Viewed in that light (pun intended), the argument can be made that in the long run it’s one of the most reliable and consistent energy sources we have at our disposal. In addition, solar power can also be used to boost our current fossil fuel plants’ output, allowing for a smooth transition from our current grid to a more renewable-focused one, and such plants can become a fail safe mechanism during the times when solar power can’t provide all the juice we need.

But I’m already connected to the grid, and panels cost!

Solar cells and panels tend to be very expensive when you first purchase them, with a full installation lightening your pocket in the order of a few thousand dollars. Its a pretty daunting figure, I know.

Once installed, however, very little maintenance is required to keep solar cells running. There are no moving parts which makes it, for all intents and purposes, impossible to break down. Solar cells tend to last a good long time with only an annual cleaning to worry about, so maintenance costs are close to zero.

And if enough are installed, you won’t need to pay a dime on your electricity bill. In the US, you might actually end up earning some money as you pump power back into the grid, as the Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA) dictates that the traditional power grid must purchase the excess electricity that renewable energy systems generate.

 

Freedom!

Braveheart film

Solar power provides energy independence by decentralizing energy production, and taking you off the grid. Even better, the “fuel” for solar panels cannot be bought or monopolized — it is free for all to use. Once you have solar panels on your roof, you essentially have an independent source of electricity that is all yours.

This is most apparent for individuals, but also important for cities, counties, states, countries, and even companies. It lessens a country’s reliance on fossil fuel or energy imports as sunlight is available everywhere. For example Ukraine in recent years has saved approximately $3 billion in reduced oil and gas imports from Russia thanks to the solar power plants developed by a single developer.

Some critics argue that this wreaks havoc on whole economies that rely primarily on energy and energy resource exports, but then again, so did the combustion engine for the horse breeding industry — it’s called progress.

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