Common Solar Myths

Myth: Solar is too expensive for widespread usage and will therefore never compete with conventional means of power generation Facts: The cost of solar technologies has declined every year since they were first introduced onto the market in the 50s The reduction in cost has been driven by improved research and technology, and most of all by steady increases in sales volume In 2003 the US market for solar power has increased approximately 60% and it continues to rise Every ton of conventional, nonrenewable energy used adds to an overall shortage and therefore makes this kind of energy more expensive to locate and to use Solar on the other hand is a renewable resource and an immense amount of solar energy strikes the Earth's surface every day Myth: Solar won't work where I live Facts: Solar energy requires light not heat to function so even cold climates can make use of solar energy The US receives more energy in the form of sunlight in less than 40 minutes than from all the fossil fuels we burn every year The light needed by a solar system doesn't need to be direct for the system to produce results. Myth: Solar systems are unreliable and produce substandard energy than conventional energy technologies Facts: Solar electric systems have been tested to rigorous standards by public and private organizations Many solar electric products have been tested and listed by Underwriters Laboratories, just like electrical appliances Warranties of 20-25 years are standard for most systems The power produced using solar devices is the same as the power produced by the utilities Systems must meet the requirements of the National Electrical Code, the local utility, and local building codes The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has found photovoltaics to be "the most reliable source of electric power ever invented." Myth: Solar power is not practical in urban areas Facts: Solar energy systems are installed at the point of use eliminating the need to trench underground and dig up asphalt No extra land space is needed making urban installation practical Solar power systems give off no noise or pollution, making them the ideal renewable energy source in urban areas Myth: Solar devices require more energy to manufacture than they produce in their lifetime of 30 plus years. Facts: The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has conclusively demonstrated that over its lifetime, a photovoltaic system will produce more energy than it consumes The energy payback for photovoltaics is only between 2-4 years. Myth: Solar manufacturing results in more pollution than is saved by solar usage Facts: Any pollutants produced in the manufacturing process of a photovoltaic system are minimal at best. In fact, a photovoltaic system meeting half of the electrical needs of a typical household would eliminate nearly half a ton of sulfur dioxide pollution from the air The manufacturing of photovoltaic devices is very similar to that of the manufacturing of window glass. And the process used to render it electrically reactive is the same used in the manufacturing of microchips (considered a clean process by many states and municipalities) And concentrating solar power devices and solar thermal devices are really nothing more than specialized formations of steel, aluminum and glass. Much like you would find in household windows, water heaters and mirrors Myth: Solar energy and solar designs work well only in warm, sunny climates Facts: Solar technolgies can work efficiently and cost-effectively anywhere in the US, even in cloudy communities Energy-storage systems make solar technologies in less sunny regions practical Some photovoltaic systems store electricity in batteries so that energy can be retrieved later -- even after up to 30 consecutive days without sunlight Myth: Solar electricity cannot serve any significant fraction of US electricity needs Facts: The solar energy available in a 100x100-mile area of Nevada could supply the US with all its electricity using modestly efficient (10%) commercial PV systems 90% of the US current electricity needs could be supplied with PV systems built in the estimated 5 million acres of abandoned industrial sites that exist in US cities Myth: Solar power is merely a cottage industry, appealing only to small niche markets Facts: The industry has been growing by more than 35% per year over the past 2 years and in the range of 25% per year for the last 5 years The US market is approaching $1 billion per year, and it provides 25,000 jobs The US market is expected to grow to the $10-$15 billion level in the next 20 years, providing 300,000 jobs by 2025 Myth: To collect enough solar energy a business needs to install large arrays of collectors requiring vast land area. Facts: There is sufficient roof space on most businesses to produce the total electricity needed using existing photovoltaic technology