Austin 2019 Construction Monthly

5 MYTHS ABOUT
SOLAR PANELS;
DEBUNKED
BRANDPOINT
Home solar panels can drastically cut or even eliminate
electricity bills, reduce a home’s carbon footprint,
increase resale value, and may even help a home
sell faster.
The cost of rooftop solar systems has fallen dramatically in recent
years, and most homeowners have the option of buying
the system, leasing it on reasonable payment terms, or having a
third-party pay for and install the system at no up-front cost at
all for the homeowner. Plus, home solar systems are eligible for
federal tax credits.
All of this explains why the number of homeowners installing solar
has sky-rocketed across America. Nevertheless, many homeowners
remain skeptical about taking control of their energy use and
installing solar. Why? The various myths that still persist around
solar power could be the reason.
skeptical,” says renewable energy expert Roger Ballentine, president
of Green Strategies, a leading Washington-based consulting
firm. “That’s because a number of myths persist, pointing to the
need for better consumer education about the benefits of home
solar installations.”
Ballentine points to private and government studies providing real
information that debunks the myths surrounding solar power. For
example, research by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National
Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Lawrence Berkeley
National Laboratory found solar panels help homes sell faster and
for more money than those without solar.
If you’re considering installing a solar panel system on your home,
here are five common myths - and why you shouldn’t believe them:
Myth 1: Solar panels only work if you
live in a warm, sunny climate.
“Solar technology has been around for a long time, but even
though it’s entered the mainstream, many homeowners are still
34 CONSTRUCTIONMONTHLY.COM
While solar panels work best when they get a lot of sun, a lack of
bright sun doesn’t mean they’re not working. Panels can still