At Orange Electric, we hear a lot of solar myths. Here are a few of the most blatant examples.

You Can Get Free Solar Panels From the Government

You may come across false solar advertisements offering “free government solar panels.” This is not true; while you can go solar with no money down via a solar loan or lease, the federal and state governments do not provide free solar panel installations.

While the government will not pay for solar panel installation, it will reduce the initial cost of purchasing a solar panel system through various solar incentives. You can deduct 26 percent of the cost of your solar installation from your federal tax bill thanks to the federal investment tax credit (ITC). Depending on where you live, your state or local government may also provide additional solar incentives, such as tax credits, rebates, or performance-based incentives (PBIs).

Solar Is Only for the Rich

Many people feel that solar panels are a luxury item that only the wealthy can buy. This is not the case; because of falling solar costs and the availability of financing options, solar has become a practical option for many property owners.

Over the last decade, solar costs have dropped considerably; in 2008, the average cost of a solar panel installation was $8.82 per watt. On EnergySage, the current average cost of solar is $2.77 per watt.

You Have To Go Off the Grid

Although an off-grid solar panel system using solar batteries is possible, the great majority of solar panel installations are grid-connected. This enables you to use solar energy generated by your system during the day and grid power once the sun goes down.

This isn’t to say that a solar panel system can’t fulfill all of your electricity demands; under a scheme known as net metering, your utility will credit your electricity bill for any excess energy produced throughout the day. Net metering only pays you for the net amount of energy you use from the grid. You can apply credits to a future account if you generate more electricity than you consume in a given month. Even if your solar energy system produces more energy than you utilize during your electrical billing cycle, you will still receive a bill from your utility, but the amount owed will be negative.

Net metering laws vary by state and utility, so before going solar, check with your energy company about their net metering policies.

Solar Panels Do Not Work in Cold Weather

Solar panels generate power by absorbing sunlight. Due to fewer sunlight hours, if you reside in a particularly cold state with regular snowstorms, you will almost likely generate less solar electricity in the winter than in the summer. The amount of electricity you create in the winter, on the other hand, will be adequate to save money on your electricity bill. In fact, because of the colder temperatures, solar panels work more efficiently when the sun shines throughout the winter months.

If your solar panels are covered in snow, they will not produce any power. Solar panels, fortunately, are designed to take a certain amount of weight, so the snow should not be an issue. Furthermore, most panels are slanted so that when the sun shines, the snow melts on its own.

When you need commercial solar installation in South Jordan, UT, contact Organce Electric today.

Seth Erhart