In an era of misinformation, it is easy to make quick decisions based on a clickbait headline, rumors, or a contrived narrative to push one’s personal agenda (wink wink, power companies). We are all about the facts and would like to dispel some common myths about powering your home with solar panels. 

Myth #1: Solar only works when the sun is shining. 

Busted! Solar technology can be used in virtually any condition, including rainy or cloudy days. We live in Florida and know all too well that you get sunburnt on an overcast day. That is because UV rays are still penetrating the clouds and making their way to our beaches and rooftops. On top of that, battery storage can be connected to your solar panels and provide energy at night. This is your self-charging, clean-energy backup, as opposed to conventional backup generators—if the power goes out in your neighborhood, your power will stay on. If for some reason you are consuming more power than the system produces on a particular day, 

Myth #2: Solar panels aren’t efficient enough. 

Busted! Some customers hear that solar panels have an efficiency rate of 22% and wonder why it’s not 100%. Well, let’s break it down. When the sun hits the panels, some sunlight will be reflected off or converted to heat instead of electricity. Solar cell materials also can’t absorb all the types of light that makeup sunlight, like infrared light. The world-record efficiency for a solar cell at room temperature under normal sunlight is 39%, but these cells are not cost-effective for home use.
 
Truth is that the sun produces an immense amount of energy. The sunlight that shines on the earth in under two hours has more power than the entire world consumes in a year. With this huge energy supply, commercially available solar panels provide plenty of power to meet your home’s needs, at a cost less than electricity provided by the grid. Arise Power always selects the most efficient top-tier products on the market so you can rest assured that what you have on your roof is the best of the best. 

Myth #3: Solar is too expensive. 

Busted! While the cost of a residential solar system can range from $15,000 to $85,000, you don’t have to pay a dollar upfront. There are several no money down, low-interest solar financing options that allow you to pay over time while still taking advantage of local, state, and federal tax incentives to offset the costs. Often the solar loan will be cheaper than your monthly utility bill providing immediate savings, along with a fixed predictable bill that does not increase over time like your utility power will. These programs have made solar accessible to all, paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future. 

Want more information? Download our free solar e-book here (Link to e-book).