Electricity is a crucial part of everyday life. We rely on it to power appliances, and many people use electricity to heat their homes and cook food. You can’t even search the internet or play video games without power. Almost everyone pays for electricity, but how many people consider where it comes from?
Usually, electricity comes from a station or plant that uses natural gas, nuclear fuels, or the force of rushing water. Since companies own and operate these energy farms, most people have to pay them to get a share of the power they generate. The exception to this rule is solar power from solar panels. Of course, many electricity companies have dedicated large areas of land to “solar farms” that absorb sunlight as a form of renewable energy. But because you can connect solar panels to your home and use the electricity they generate for your own purposes, solar mirrors are one of the few electricity generators that don’t force users to pay a recurring premium. That’s not the same as saying solar panels are free, however (or, for that matter, a universally viable alternative).
To install solar panels, you need to consider many factors. Do you have enough money to buy them? Will your city allow it? Could you save just as much money by simply replacing all the light bulbs in your home with more efficient ones? These are just some of the questions you should ask yourself before setting out on the path to solar power, because it isn’t the renewable energy utopia you might think it is.
Why you want solar panels
Before we discuss the pitfalls on the road to owning solar panels, it’s a good idea to explore why someone would want them in the first place.
Solar panels offer many benefits, the most obvious of which is that they save money, because users can get most (or in some cases all) of their electricity from panels installed on their roofs. In fact, depending on how much electricity your solar panels generate, some energy companies may pay you for the excess electricity you use or give you credit that can be used on days when your solar panels aren’t cutting it. This system, known as net metering, is far from guaranteed, but when it’s available, it’s yet another incentive to go solar.
Like other home improvement projects, solar panels also increase your home’s value. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (via Forbes), solar panels increase your home’s value by 20 $ for every dollar they save you on electricity. This isn’t surprising, since homes that reduce the recurring cost of electricity bills are highly valued. After all, the less you spend on energy costs, the more you can spend on paying off your mortgage.
These are just a few reasons someone might consider installing solar panels. While in use, solar mirrors generate fewer pollutants than many other electricity generators and are therefore environmentally friendly. But let’s be honest here: Many people install solar panels because they want to save money on their energy bills. Whether it’s for the environment or your bank account, solar panels are an investment.
They’re so expensive, you may need financial help
The expression “pays for itself” describes items that may have a high upfront cost, but the cash they help you save will add up and eventually exceed what you initially paid. Solar panels can save you a ton of money, but only over a long period of time—too long for many people.
The average cost of a solar panel is no drop in the bucket. Prices vary depending on the type of solar panel, who installs it, and how many you buy. In 2022, the average solar panel system cost 24.000 $, but as of 2024, prices have fallen to a more affordable average of 12.700 $. Still, that’s more than most people can afford to pay all at once, especially since the “pays for itself” factor takes an average of 10 years to kick in. Government incentives may shorten or lengthen this waiting period.
If you buy solar panels, you qualify for federal solar tax credits. However, even with this benefit, many people struggle to buy solar panels outright. Fortunately, we live in an era of alternative payment methods. Many companies offer financing options that let you pay as you go, as well as loan programs that provide you with money to repay. Some solar panel installers also offer leasing programs. While these are generally more affordable, you’re simply renting solar panels while you lease them, so you cannot claim a solar energy tax credit.
Calculating how much money you’ll save on energy bills with solar panels is one thing; figuring out how much they’ll cost you upfront is quite another. Not all purchase or leasing plans are created equal, so choose the option that’s best for your wallet.
Installing solar panels isn’t always up to you
On 2018, the California Energy Commission ruled that starting 2020, all new homes and apartments would be built with solar panels. This is good news for new buildings, but what about homeowners in existing homes who want to install solar power? It depends on the circumstances, and the same is true everywhere.
Depending on where you live, you may need a permit to install solar panels. For example, homeowners in New York City and San Bernardino County, California, need solar panel permits, but most people in New Jersey can add solar panels to their homes without one—as long as the installations meet local building codes and zoning regulations. However, this lenient rule doesn’t apply to people in historic districts and protected areas. Wherever you live, if you rent a house or apartment, you also need permission from your landlord to install solar panels. If you don’t meet these criteria, you can always buy portable solar panels.
Even if you can get a solar panel permit, you need to consider insurance costs and taxes. Many home insurance policies cover solar panels, but sometimes you have to buy a separate policy. If you do, make sure it covers wind and hail damage, as these are the bane of all solar panels. In addition, depending on where you live, you may be eligible for solar property tax exemptions, solar sales tax exemptions, or both. Or neither, as is the case in states such as Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, and Pennsylvania.
Always check the math. Even if you have to pay extra after installing solar panels, you may be able to afford them—and still have some money left over—with all the money you save on electricity.
Solar panels rely on rooftops for more than just a place to sit
Anatoliy_gleb/Getty Images
Since solar farms are huge (one of the largest in the world has 500.000 panels), they’re generally built in open areas with little shade. That isn’t an option for the average homeowner, so solar panels are usually installed on rooftops. But before you do that, you need to make sure your roof is up to the task.
When planning to buy panels, assess the shape and size of your roof. Each square foot of solar cells generates about 15 watts of electricity, so you need between 200 and 1.000 square feet of space to properly power your home. The direction your roof faces is another factor. Since the equator receives the most sunlight on the planet, the general consensus is that solar panels should face it. If your roof slopes east or west, you may need to spend more on additional panels to make up for the reduced efficiency.
Perhaps the most important factor to consider is the age of your roof. Since solar panels are guaranteed to last at least 25 years, you need to make sure your roof can withstand the extra weight for decades to come. If your roof needs replacing soon and you’re considering solar power, you may want to combine the installations. After all, roof replacements are expensive (about 10.000 $), and if you’ve had solar panels installed, removing and reinstalling them during the process will only increase that cost—by much more than simply adding solar panels after a new roof replacement.
A roof is more than just a place to install solar panels. Once installed, the panels are symbiotically connected to your roof. A healthy, sturdy roof makes for healthy, sturdy solar panels.
You don’t want to DIY the installation
Admittedly, this article’s title is a little misleading. If you want to invest in solar power, you definitely want to install solar panels—but you don’t want to be the one doing it.
Like many electronics, solar panels come with warranties that guarantee they’ll work as advertised. Since solar panels are designed for extended 24-hour use, their warranties last from three to 25 years, and companies will repair or replace the panels as needed. However, this only applies to solar panels installed by licensed professionals. If you try to install solar panels yourself, you run the risk of voiding your warranty.
DIY installations also pose many other risks, most of which are related to the pitfalls of improperly installing anything on a roof. For example, solar panels are usually able to withstand strong winds thanks to their racking, but if you don't know what types of racking to use and how to set them up, your solar panels could literally fly off. What's more, a standard solar panel installation includes waterproofing and flashing, but only when it's installed by professionals. If you forget to do this when installing solar panels yourself, water will get in. And the icing on the cake? When installed by trained professionals, solar panels don't affect your home's roof warranty, but if you DIY the installation, you risk voiding that warranty along with the solar panel warranty.
Hiring a team to set up your solar panels can cost even more money on top of the cost of the panels themselves, but it provides peace of mind and a financial safety net.
Low maintenance isn't the same as no maintenance
Roofs were invented to protect people from bad weather by forming a solid surface over our heads. But when solar panels are installed, since they sit on roofs, they take on that role and all of its responsibilities. This also means they need the same maintenance as roofs.
The dark secret about solar panels is that, like other electronics, they degrade over time and become less efficient. On average, solar panels lose 0,5% efficiency each year, although some sources report this efficiency loss as high as 3% annually. Since these changes are both slow and subtle, the average user probably won't notice them, especially at first. However, you can stave off the inevitable and potentially extend the life of your solar panels with regular maintenance.
Since solar panels are built to be sturdy, you don't need to worry about anything getting inside them, but you do need to keep their exterior clean. Anything that can block or tarnish the surface, from dust and dirt to falling debris, leaves less room for the solar cells to properly absorb sunlight, thereby reducing efficiency. Washing solar panels with a water hose (or letting storms do it for you) will do the trick. Using soap, on the other hand, can leave streaks that may damage the solar panels.
Ultimately, solar panels are a somewhat “set it and forget it” outdoor addition. Once they're on your roof, you need to worry about them about as often as you generally worry about your roof. But completely forgetting about the well-being of your solar panels can cause problems, unlike forgetting to maintain your roof.
You may also need a solar battery
Contrary to popular belief, you can't declare your independence from public electric utilities with solar panels alone. A bright, sunny day will provide plenty of electricity, but even if it's enough to power all the lights and appliances in a home, what happens when the sun sets or clouds block the sun? That's where storage solutions come in.
Solar batteries, as their name suggests, use solar panels to charge. Or, to be more specific, solar batteries collect the excess electricity generated by solar panels but not used by household appliances, and store it for later. These batteries are useful because they provide electricity you don't have to pay for when the sun isn't available. And yes, solar batteries also provide power during an outage, as long as they're sufficiently charged.
Depending on the maximum capacity and the material used, you may need to install multiple solar batteries. These devices always add to the cost of installing solar panels, but the specific battery you choose can mean the difference between an additional charge of 200 $ or 14.000 $. And if your local electric utility doesn't support net metering, solar batteries are a crucial add-on, since you need to use all the electricity your solar panels produce to prevent excess power from causing grid reliability issues.
It's better to have a solar battery and not need it than to need one and not have it. If you don't think you'll produce a lot of excess electricity, go with one of the less expensive options.
Match your power requirements to your panel output
Solar panels have the potential to solve many energy issues, but they are far from a turnkey solution. As with many things in life, a little research goes a long way, and that goes double when your financial future may be hanging in the balance.
Before you decide which solar panels you want to buy, first determine whether you need them. How much money could you save on your energy bill with more efficient light bulbs or appliances? Buying these items is somewhat expensive, but it is always cheaper than installing solar panels. Efficient electronics can also help you buy cheaper solar panels.
If you’re ready to buy solar panels, consider their power output and match it to the amount of power you expect your home to consume. To calculate the latter, multiply the average power of your appliances by the average time they are in use, then multiply that by the percentage of energy you expect the system to lose. Or you can simply contact your local energy provider. The solar panel you buy should meet or exceed the number you calculated, but you should also consider the panel’s efficiency, since not all the sunlight it absorbs is converted into electricity. You may need to buy more expensive solar panels than you initially thought, or alternatively, replace your light bulbs with energy-efficient ones and then supplement them with solar panels.
While calculating your energy needs will help you get the right solar panel for your lifestyle, honestly, depending on the math, you may find that solar panels won’t save you enough on electricity. It happens, but sometimes paying more for electricity is the financially responsible choice.
Solar panels need to stay sunny-side up
Solar panels can’t work without sunlight. However, to maximize their effectiveness, you can’t just set them up and call it a day. You need to orient the panels to receive as much sunlight as possible, and even then, the globe won’t always cooperate.
While some companies say you should point solar panels east or west, as mentioned earlier, most organizations agree that you should orient the panels toward the equator. Installing solar panels along this bearing maximizes their absorption of sunlight, so it goes without saying that if your roof is shaded by either trees or tall buildings, you won’t get the most out of the installed solar panels. The same applies depending on your location.
Not every country in the world can rely on solar power. Due to factors such as geography or even infrastructure, the effectiveness of solar panels can vary between states or even counties. To make up for this drawback, you could install more solar panels, but then you would have to deal with the associated costs. And that says nothing about whether your roof is large or strong enough to support the extra solar cells.
Before considering installing solar panels, always do your research. Check solar maps and contact not only solar panel installation companies but also your local electricity provider. The more information you have, the better.
To reduce your carbon footprint, you must first have a big
People buy solar panels for various reasons, usually because they want to save money or rely on an energy source that produces less pollution. However, producing solar panels costs more than money. As they say, you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs, and solar panels are one big omelet.
Photovoltaic cells in solar panels can be made from many different materials, but silicon is by far the most common. While silicon is one of the most abundant elements on Earth, it is still difficult to process the material into solar panel cells. According to studies, each panel requires 600 grams of silicon. In addition, regardless of the main material, all solar panels use metals such as copper, silver, and lithium, which are significantly rarer and must be mined. And of course, metal mining produces carbon emissions. But that is only the cost of sourcing the materials.
Different solar panel component makeups require different manufacturing processes, each with its own environmental impact. The most efficient solar panels, made from monocrystalline silicon, are expensive and cause the most pollution during production. Meanwhile, the least efficient panels, thin-film panels, are comparatively cheap and produce fewer carbon emissions during manufacturing. That sounds like good news, but producing thin-film solar panels also involves the most toxic chemicals of any type of solar panel. In addition, not all countries have the same standards for power generation and emissions from power generation, so some nations allow their solar panel factories to release more carbon than others.
Solar panels can help save the environment, but if we’re not careful, we could produce so many that we end up harming the environment.
Beware of scams
Wherever you go or whatever you want to do, someone is always trying to take advantage of you. They don't care whether you want to save money or help the environment by switching to solar energy. They only care about making a profit from it.
Chances are, you or someone you know has received calls from telemarketers offering "free solar panels." Don't fall for their sales pitches. According to Grouphug Solar founder and Wildgrid co-founder Krystal Persuad (via CNET ), telemarketers are only after your information and will distort the truth to get it. The phrase "zero money down" is just marketing speak for getting something through a loan or lease. That's not the same as getting solar panels for free, but telemarketers don't want you to know that.
Although you should never trust telemarketers, you should be just as wary of solar company sales representatives, as they may exaggerate what their solar panels can do or at least lie by omission to make a sale. The power output of each solar panel is advertised using two ratings: the Standard Test Conditions (STC) rating and the Photovoltaics for Utility Scale Applications Test Conditions (PTC) rating. STC ratings reflect solar panel output under idealized conditions, while PTC ratings, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), are more realistic, meaning they are lower. You can find PTC ratings with a little research. If a sales representative claims their solar panel's power output differs from its listed PTC rating, they're probably trying to pull a fast one on you.
This doesn't mean everyone is out to get you if you want to invest in solar energy; you just need to be careful.
Source: Slashgear
Usually, electricity comes from a station or plant that uses natural gas, nuclear fuels, or the force of rushing water. Since companies own and operate these energy farms, most people have to pay them to get a share of the power they generate. The exception to this rule is solar power from solar panels. Of course, many electricity companies have dedicated large areas of land to “solar farms” that absorb sunlight as a form of renewable energy. But because you can connect solar panels to your home and use the electricity they generate for your own purposes, solar mirrors are one of the few electricity generators that don’t force users to pay a recurring premium. That’s not the same as saying solar panels are free, however (or, for that matter, a universally viable alternative).
To install solar panels, you need to consider many factors. Do you have enough money to buy them? Will your city allow it? Could you save just as much money by simply replacing all the light bulbs in your home with more efficient ones? These are just some of the questions you should ask yourself before setting out on the path to solar power, because it isn’t the renewable energy utopia you might think it is.
Why you want solar panels
Before we discuss the pitfalls on the road to owning solar panels, it’s a good idea to explore why someone would want them in the first place.
Solar panels offer many benefits, the most obvious of which is that they save money, because users can get most (or in some cases all) of their electricity from panels installed on their roofs. In fact, depending on how much electricity your solar panels generate, some energy companies may pay you for the excess electricity you use or give you credit that can be used on days when your solar panels aren’t cutting it. This system, known as net metering, is far from guaranteed, but when it’s available, it’s yet another incentive to go solar.
Like other home improvement projects, solar panels also increase your home’s value. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (via Forbes), solar panels increase your home’s value by 20 $ for every dollar they save you on electricity. This isn’t surprising, since homes that reduce the recurring cost of electricity bills are highly valued. After all, the less you spend on energy costs, the more you can spend on paying off your mortgage.
These are just a few reasons someone might consider installing solar panels. While in use, solar mirrors generate fewer pollutants than many other electricity generators and are therefore environmentally friendly. But let’s be honest here: Many people install solar panels because they want to save money on their energy bills. Whether it’s for the environment or your bank account, solar panels are an investment.
They’re so expensive, you may need financial help
The expression “pays for itself” describes items that may have a high upfront cost, but the cash they help you save will add up and eventually exceed what you initially paid. Solar panels can save you a ton of money, but only over a long period of time—too long for many people.
The average cost of a solar panel is no drop in the bucket. Prices vary depending on the type of solar panel, who installs it, and how many you buy. In 2022, the average solar panel system cost 24.000 $, but as of 2024, prices have fallen to a more affordable average of 12.700 $. Still, that’s more than most people can afford to pay all at once, especially since the “pays for itself” factor takes an average of 10 years to kick in. Government incentives may shorten or lengthen this waiting period.
If you buy solar panels, you qualify for federal solar tax credits. However, even with this benefit, many people struggle to buy solar panels outright. Fortunately, we live in an era of alternative payment methods. Many companies offer financing options that let you pay as you go, as well as loan programs that provide you with money to repay. Some solar panel installers also offer leasing programs. While these are generally more affordable, you’re simply renting solar panels while you lease them, so you cannot claim a solar energy tax credit.
Calculating how much money you’ll save on energy bills with solar panels is one thing; figuring out how much they’ll cost you upfront is quite another. Not all purchase or leasing plans are created equal, so choose the option that’s best for your wallet.
Installing solar panels isn’t always up to you
On 2018, the California Energy Commission ruled that starting 2020, all new homes and apartments would be built with solar panels. This is good news for new buildings, but what about homeowners in existing homes who want to install solar power? It depends on the circumstances, and the same is true everywhere.
Depending on where you live, you may need a permit to install solar panels. For example, homeowners in New York City and San Bernardino County, California, need solar panel permits, but most people in New Jersey can add solar panels to their homes without one—as long as the installations meet local building codes and zoning regulations. However, this lenient rule doesn’t apply to people in historic districts and protected areas. Wherever you live, if you rent a house or apartment, you also need permission from your landlord to install solar panels. If you don’t meet these criteria, you can always buy portable solar panels.
Even if you can get a solar panel permit, you need to consider insurance costs and taxes. Many home insurance policies cover solar panels, but sometimes you have to buy a separate policy. If you do, make sure it covers wind and hail damage, as these are the bane of all solar panels. In addition, depending on where you live, you may be eligible for solar property tax exemptions, solar sales tax exemptions, or both. Or neither, as is the case in states such as Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, and Pennsylvania.
Always check the math. Even if you have to pay extra after installing solar panels, you may be able to afford them—and still have some money left over—with all the money you save on electricity.
Solar panels rely on rooftops for more than just a place to sit
Anatoliy_gleb/Getty Images
Since solar farms are huge (one of the largest in the world has 500.000 panels), they’re generally built in open areas with little shade. That isn’t an option for the average homeowner, so solar panels are usually installed on rooftops. But before you do that, you need to make sure your roof is up to the task.
When planning to buy panels, assess the shape and size of your roof. Each square foot of solar cells generates about 15 watts of electricity, so you need between 200 and 1.000 square feet of space to properly power your home. The direction your roof faces is another factor. Since the equator receives the most sunlight on the planet, the general consensus is that solar panels should face it. If your roof slopes east or west, you may need to spend more on additional panels to make up for the reduced efficiency.
Perhaps the most important factor to consider is the age of your roof. Since solar panels are guaranteed to last at least 25 years, you need to make sure your roof can withstand the extra weight for decades to come. If your roof needs replacing soon and you’re considering solar power, you may want to combine the installations. After all, roof replacements are expensive (about 10.000 $), and if you’ve had solar panels installed, removing and reinstalling them during the process will only increase that cost—by much more than simply adding solar panels after a new roof replacement.
A roof is more than just a place to install solar panels. Once installed, the panels are symbiotically connected to your roof. A healthy, sturdy roof makes for healthy, sturdy solar panels.
You don’t want to DIY the installation
Admittedly, this article’s title is a little misleading. If you want to invest in solar power, you definitely want to install solar panels—but you don’t want to be the one doing it.
Like many electronics, solar panels come with warranties that guarantee they’ll work as advertised. Since solar panels are designed for extended 24-hour use, their warranties last from three to 25 years, and companies will repair or replace the panels as needed. However, this only applies to solar panels installed by licensed professionals. If you try to install solar panels yourself, you run the risk of voiding your warranty.
DIY installations also pose many other risks, most of which are related to the pitfalls of improperly installing anything on a roof. For example, solar panels are usually able to withstand strong winds thanks to their racking, but if you don't know what types of racking to use and how to set them up, your solar panels could literally fly off. What's more, a standard solar panel installation includes waterproofing and flashing, but only when it's installed by professionals. If you forget to do this when installing solar panels yourself, water will get in. And the icing on the cake? When installed by trained professionals, solar panels don't affect your home's roof warranty, but if you DIY the installation, you risk voiding that warranty along with the solar panel warranty.
Hiring a team to set up your solar panels can cost even more money on top of the cost of the panels themselves, but it provides peace of mind and a financial safety net.
Low maintenance isn't the same as no maintenance
Roofs were invented to protect people from bad weather by forming a solid surface over our heads. But when solar panels are installed, since they sit on roofs, they take on that role and all of its responsibilities. This also means they need the same maintenance as roofs.
The dark secret about solar panels is that, like other electronics, they degrade over time and become less efficient. On average, solar panels lose 0,5% efficiency each year, although some sources report this efficiency loss as high as 3% annually. Since these changes are both slow and subtle, the average user probably won't notice them, especially at first. However, you can stave off the inevitable and potentially extend the life of your solar panels with regular maintenance.
Since solar panels are built to be sturdy, you don't need to worry about anything getting inside them, but you do need to keep their exterior clean. Anything that can block or tarnish the surface, from dust and dirt to falling debris, leaves less room for the solar cells to properly absorb sunlight, thereby reducing efficiency. Washing solar panels with a water hose (or letting storms do it for you) will do the trick. Using soap, on the other hand, can leave streaks that may damage the solar panels.
Ultimately, solar panels are a somewhat “set it and forget it” outdoor addition. Once they're on your roof, you need to worry about them about as often as you generally worry about your roof. But completely forgetting about the well-being of your solar panels can cause problems, unlike forgetting to maintain your roof.
You may also need a solar battery
Contrary to popular belief, you can't declare your independence from public electric utilities with solar panels alone. A bright, sunny day will provide plenty of electricity, but even if it's enough to power all the lights and appliances in a home, what happens when the sun sets or clouds block the sun? That's where storage solutions come in.
Solar batteries, as their name suggests, use solar panels to charge. Or, to be more specific, solar batteries collect the excess electricity generated by solar panels but not used by household appliances, and store it for later. These batteries are useful because they provide electricity you don't have to pay for when the sun isn't available. And yes, solar batteries also provide power during an outage, as long as they're sufficiently charged.
Depending on the maximum capacity and the material used, you may need to install multiple solar batteries. These devices always add to the cost of installing solar panels, but the specific battery you choose can mean the difference between an additional charge of 200 $ or 14.000 $. And if your local electric utility doesn't support net metering, solar batteries are a crucial add-on, since you need to use all the electricity your solar panels produce to prevent excess power from causing grid reliability issues.
It's better to have a solar battery and not need it than to need one and not have it. If you don't think you'll produce a lot of excess electricity, go with one of the less expensive options.
Match your power requirements to your panel output
Solar panels have the potential to solve many energy issues, but they are far from a turnkey solution. As with many things in life, a little research goes a long way, and that goes double when your financial future may be hanging in the balance.
Before you decide which solar panels you want to buy, first determine whether you need them. How much money could you save on your energy bill with more efficient light bulbs or appliances? Buying these items is somewhat expensive, but it is always cheaper than installing solar panels. Efficient electronics can also help you buy cheaper solar panels.
If you’re ready to buy solar panels, consider their power output and match it to the amount of power you expect your home to consume. To calculate the latter, multiply the average power of your appliances by the average time they are in use, then multiply that by the percentage of energy you expect the system to lose. Or you can simply contact your local energy provider. The solar panel you buy should meet or exceed the number you calculated, but you should also consider the panel’s efficiency, since not all the sunlight it absorbs is converted into electricity. You may need to buy more expensive solar panels than you initially thought, or alternatively, replace your light bulbs with energy-efficient ones and then supplement them with solar panels.
While calculating your energy needs will help you get the right solar panel for your lifestyle, honestly, depending on the math, you may find that solar panels won’t save you enough on electricity. It happens, but sometimes paying more for electricity is the financially responsible choice.
Solar panels need to stay sunny-side up
Solar panels can’t work without sunlight. However, to maximize their effectiveness, you can’t just set them up and call it a day. You need to orient the panels to receive as much sunlight as possible, and even then, the globe won’t always cooperate.
While some companies say you should point solar panels east or west, as mentioned earlier, most organizations agree that you should orient the panels toward the equator. Installing solar panels along this bearing maximizes their absorption of sunlight, so it goes without saying that if your roof is shaded by either trees or tall buildings, you won’t get the most out of the installed solar panels. The same applies depending on your location.
Not every country in the world can rely on solar power. Due to factors such as geography or even infrastructure, the effectiveness of solar panels can vary between states or even counties. To make up for this drawback, you could install more solar panels, but then you would have to deal with the associated costs. And that says nothing about whether your roof is large or strong enough to support the extra solar cells.
Before considering installing solar panels, always do your research. Check solar maps and contact not only solar panel installation companies but also your local electricity provider. The more information you have, the better.
To reduce your carbon footprint, you must first have a big
People buy solar panels for various reasons, usually because they want to save money or rely on an energy source that produces less pollution. However, producing solar panels costs more than money. As they say, you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs, and solar panels are one big omelet.
Photovoltaic cells in solar panels can be made from many different materials, but silicon is by far the most common. While silicon is one of the most abundant elements on Earth, it is still difficult to process the material into solar panel cells. According to studies, each panel requires 600 grams of silicon. In addition, regardless of the main material, all solar panels use metals such as copper, silver, and lithium, which are significantly rarer and must be mined. And of course, metal mining produces carbon emissions. But that is only the cost of sourcing the materials.
Different solar panel component makeups require different manufacturing processes, each with its own environmental impact. The most efficient solar panels, made from monocrystalline silicon, are expensive and cause the most pollution during production. Meanwhile, the least efficient panels, thin-film panels, are comparatively cheap and produce fewer carbon emissions during manufacturing. That sounds like good news, but producing thin-film solar panels also involves the most toxic chemicals of any type of solar panel. In addition, not all countries have the same standards for power generation and emissions from power generation, so some nations allow their solar panel factories to release more carbon than others.
Solar panels can help save the environment, but if we’re not careful, we could produce so many that we end up harming the environment.
Beware of scams
Wherever you go or whatever you want to do, someone is always trying to take advantage of you. They don't care whether you want to save money or help the environment by switching to solar energy. They only care about making a profit from it.
Chances are, you or someone you know has received calls from telemarketers offering "free solar panels." Don't fall for their sales pitches. According to Grouphug Solar founder and Wildgrid co-founder Krystal Persuad (via CNET ), telemarketers are only after your information and will distort the truth to get it. The phrase "zero money down" is just marketing speak for getting something through a loan or lease. That's not the same as getting solar panels for free, but telemarketers don't want you to know that.
Although you should never trust telemarketers, you should be just as wary of solar company sales representatives, as they may exaggerate what their solar panels can do or at least lie by omission to make a sale. The power output of each solar panel is advertised using two ratings: the Standard Test Conditions (STC) rating and the Photovoltaics for Utility Scale Applications Test Conditions (PTC) rating. STC ratings reflect solar panel output under idealized conditions, while PTC ratings, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), are more realistic, meaning they are lower. You can find PTC ratings with a little research. If a sales representative claims their solar panel's power output differs from its listed PTC rating, they're probably trying to pull a fast one on you.
This doesn't mean everyone is out to get you if you want to invest in solar energy; you just need to be careful.
Source: Slashgear
