With an average annual growth rate of 24%, solar power has gained a great deal of momentum in the last ten years. With government incentives and technological advances combined with an increasing demand for energy and growing environmental concerns, more people are turning to solar as a renewable energy source that can cut their energy costs. But despite its growth, there are a lot of misconceptions about solar power that have kept it from being adopted more widely.

Here are some of the common myths about solar panels and the reasons why they’re not true.

#1: They Will Provide Power to My Property During an Outage

This is a common belief among many people, and it might have come from the assumption that they should provide power even when the grid is down since it generates energy from sunlight. Most solar systems are grid-tied, so they’re designed to automatically shut down during a power outage. This is done for two main reasons, and the first one has to do with safety.

When the power goes out, grid-tied systems will stop sending electricity into the grid so utility workers won’t get harmed. Most solar systems also use inverters that are designed to synchronize with the grid. When it goes down, they shut down to keep electricity from feeding back into the grid. Some systems can store excess electricity in batteries, which can provide backup power when the grid is down. But it’s important to understand this distinction and add battery storage to your system if you want backup power.

#2: They Will Offset My Entire Electric Bill

There are a number of reasons why people may think that solar panels will eliminate their electric bill, but it just isn’t true. They can reduce your electricity bill by a significant amount, but whether it will provide a complete offset can depend on a number of factors. Some of them can include the following:

• The size of the system.
• Your total energy usage.
• Local regulations.
• Whether you want to integrate battery storage.

Most properties use more electricity than the solar panels can produce at certain times (such as at night), so they’ll still draw power from the grid (which will incur charges). If your local utility company offers it, net metering will allow any excess energy generated during the day to be fed back into the grid for credits. But it may only cover some of your energy usage. Other utility policies may affect how much you can offset your electric bill, but they can vary.

#3: They’re Not Cost-Effective

There are a lot of misconceptions about upfront costs, efficiency, and maintenance requirements. There are also a lot of false beliefs about incentives and financing options, which have contributed to this false belief. Utility rates are rising across the country, but solar panels can help you lower your electricity costs. There are also a number of incentives (such as tax credits and rebates) that can help you reduce your upfront cost of a solar panel installation. You can save a great deal on your electric bill over time, so it can be a very cost-effective investment.

#4: They Can Cause Roof Damage

Many people who believe this don’t think about the age and quality of their roof before they do a solar system installation. If they’re properly installed, solar panels should never cause a roof to leak. They will usually protect your roof from outside elements, which can prevent damage. But you need to look at the age and condition of your roof before you proceed with the installation, because it will ensure the longevity of both systems.

#5: They’re Not Reliable and Won’t Work on Cloudy Days

This myth most likely comes from a misunderstanding of how solar panels operate and how they generate electricity. They can still generate electricity on cloudy days, but they won’t be as efficient. Solar panels are designed to capture both direct and diffused light. So while they’re not as efficient on cloudy days, they can still generate electricity. It will, of course, depend on the amount of cloud cover and the technology being used on your particular system.

If you’re looking for one of the best places to get solar panels in Corpus Christi, be sure to reach out to Solar Power Integrator. We have a team of experienced professionals who would be more than happy to speak with you about what would work best for your specific situation.