4 Myths About Solar Energy

Fossil fuels are not renewable and produce greenhouse gases. Nuclear, as we have recently been reminded, is dangerous and produces waste that remains radioactive for thousands of years. Natural gas, while less ‘dirty’ than coal, is not renewable. So why haven’t we switched to the forms of energy that we know are renewable and have the technology to develop? There’s solar, of course, but also wind, geothermal, and hydro.

Good question. And while part of the answer has to do with existing infrastructures and industry influence over energy policy, some of it has to do with misconceptions about renewable energy. We’ve chosen to look at four common myths about solar, but many of these apply to other forms of renewable energy as well.  

Myth #1. Solar is not viable as a major source of energy. It is too expensive/impractical/inefficient to be adopted on a largescale basis.

In fact, solar efficiency has been rising yearly and has topped a remarkable 40% in some lab experiments. While real world efficiency is lower, it still achieves 10-20% in actual applications. As for feasibility, both approaches to solar — distributed rooftop systems and remote solar power plants — are capable of generating a large percentage of our total energy.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “The solar energy resource in a 100-mile-square area of Nevada could supply the United States with all its electricity (about 800 gigawatts) using modestly efficient (10%) commercial PV modules…A more realistic scenario involves distributing these same PV systems throughout the 50 states. Currently available sites—such as vacant land, parking lots, and rooftops—could be used. The land requirement to produce 800 gigawatts would average out to be about 17 x 17 miles per state. Alternatively, PV systems built in the “brownfields”—the estimated 5 million acres of abandoned industrial sites in our nation’s cities—could supply 90% of America’s current electricity.”

Myth #2. Solar only works when it’s sunny.

That’s not quite true. Solar photovoltaic works when there’s light, and even on overcast and rainy days, there’s enough to generate electricity. It’s true that solar panels are less efficient and produce less energy on overcast days. However, Germany, not a country known for its sunny weather, is a world leader in producing solar electricity.

Myth #3. Solar does not offset significant emissions.

Although the manufacture and disposal of solar modules do have a small environmental impact, solar modules do not produce emissions for the 25+ years they operate.  Over this lifetime, even small solar systems can offset significant quantities of emissions that would otherwise have been produced by traditional energy. It doesn’t take a solar power plant. A modest 2.5kW system is equivalent to 270,000 miles not driven, 300 barrels of oil not produced, or 220,000 pounds of greenhouse gases not emitted.

Myth #4. Solar requires more energy to manufacture than it produces in a lifetime.

Actually, according to a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the amount of energy used to manufacture solar modules is paid back in less than four years. The lifespan of solar modules is usually 25 years or more, producing a net energy gain for at least two decades.

Curious about how solar could work for your home or business? Premier Power offers a whole range of residential and commercial solar solutions, from small rooftop systems to major solar power plants. Come visit us for a free solar consultation or to learn more about solar power plants, solar roof tiles, and more.

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