Are Those Solar Power Myths Really True?
If you've always dreamed of being the masked crusader who creates tomorrow's better world
, the right role for you right now is that of the "Solar Power Myth Buster."
Before you grab your cape and head out the door, though, let's arm you with a few facts about solar power myths:
Myth #1: Solar power is too expensive. Before you allow anyone to cling tenaciously to that belief, ask them if you can schedule an appointment for a solar power installation appraisal for them. Tell them you would never try to dissuade them from believing what they choose, but if they're willing to allow an open discussion, you'd like them to be assured that their belief is right before they share it with others...or worse yet...possibly keep them from having clean, free power because they attached too strongly to an old, rigid belief system. Tell them the appraiser will help them assess:
What is the installed cost of a solar energy system for heating, air conditioning, and a hot water tank compared to a conventional system?
What is the current cost per watt for electricity in their area, or comparative cost per unit for other fossil fuel used?
On average, the costs of coal gas and oil (power plant sources for generating electricity) have gone up 5.5 percent per year since 1970. If you know your per watt or per unit price for energy today, what will it be in the next 5, 10, 15 or 20 years? With a solar power system, especially if it is off the grid, it will most likely be...free.
What is the guarantee on your conventional home power system equipment? Most of today's standard furnace, air conditioning systems, and hot water heaters are guaranteed to last for 10 years. Solar components are guaranteed to last between 25 and 30 years.
When your conventional system is installed, what kind of tax credits, incentives and rebates are available? There are a number of them for solar installations.
Myth #2: I'll still have to have a traditional system, anyway, because solar systems only work where there's a lot of sunshine. OK, there's a possibility you'll need a back-up system. But...it's not a big possibility. Japan and Germany have less sunlight than a majority of the United States but have a much larger reliance of solar energy. If you live along the northern tier of the United States you may need more panels to produce the same amount of electricity as your Southwest counterparts, but you can still power your home or business with solar energy. With the advances in solar technology that have been made, nearly all systems can function with back-up battery power that's been created by your solar energy system.
Of course, there are other options for a back-up also like a wood stove, or a wood insert in a passive solar stone fireplace design, or even better, a wind turbine...another renewable energy source.
Myth #3: I'll have to cut way back on my energy consumption. Let them ponder that myth. It wouldn't hurt any of us to do a few things to cut back on our power usage. Just a few of those might include turning off lights and computers when they're not being used, and switching to CFL light bulbs. I'm sure there are plenty more little things you can think of as well. But...you don't have to. The main difference here is how big a system you want to put in. A larger solar energy system installation is going to cost more. More panels, more inverters, more parts. The amazing thing is, though, whatever size of energy system you end up with, once you've paid for the initial installation, you've recovered your cost, and your energy is free. And, your carbon footprint just got substantially reduced. Now that is amazing.
Myth #4: My home value will be reduced, and the aesthetics ruined with solar panels on my roof. Actually, the truth is just the opposite. Your home value will increase with a solar energy system...quite a lot in fact...and it will sell faster. Now if you have a solar hot water heater on your roof, it may be unappealing for some people, and for a few, even the solar panels may not be pleasing. They're in the minority, though, and, with the latest technology, solar panels shaped like roof tiles ensure even the most discerning eye will find a pleasant, and valuable rooftop.
Myth #5: What's keeping solar popular now is government incentives. It won't be around once the incentives aren't. Simply not true. Solar power is staying. Its time is right, and its time is now. Global warming is creating the impetus for a strong citizen movement that won't relent, and won't give up, until future generations have an opportunity to see a bright, clean world.
There you have it, Solar Myth Buster. Facts with which to disarm even the Goliaths of the energy world. So...what are you waiting for...go to it.
by: Timothy Peters.
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