Photo by Vivint Solar on Unsplash
Solar energy has grown more popular in recent years. In fact, a recent poll reveals that many Americans overwhelmingly favor the use of renewable energy and want the US to transition to renewable energy sources.
Despite its popularity, there are still quite a few misconceptions and myths that disparage solar energy as a viable source of energy for residential spaces. But how much of this is grounded in facts and science? To help answer this question, we’ve put together a list of the four biggest myths and misconceptions about residential solar energy in hopes of shedding some light on this innovative energy resource.
1. Solar Energy is Expensive
One factor that immediately puts people off from going solar is the costs that are attached to it. While it is true that you’ll have to invest your resources to make the switch to solar, installing solar panels can also end up saving you money in the long run. In fact, studies show that making the switch to renewable energy can save Americans billions of dollars in energy costs.
Florida also participates in a rooftop solar program that credits homeowners with solar panels installed for all the extra energy their home produces. This, along with the other financial benefits of solar energy, goes a long way when it comes to offsetting the initial costs.
2. Solar Energy Systems Lowers Your Home’s Value
It’s understandable to be worried about how any improvement or renovation project affects your home’s value. Indeed, there are changes that could end up tanking the value of your property. However, installing a solar energy system isn’t one of them.
In fact, having a solar energy system can actually increase your home’s value in some states. Florida is a great example of this, as homes with solar panels can sell for 4% more than homes that don’t use green energy. This means homes in Central Florida, South Florida, and North Florida that have solar panels can expect the value of their homes to increase in the years to come!
3. Solar Won’t Work in Some Areas
Given that solar panels rely upon the power of the sun to generate energy, it’s normal to be wary about them not working in colder or rainier climates. Now, what people fail to realize is that there will be a couple of hours of daylight, even in the worst conditions. Ultimately, this means that solar energy will still be viable no matter where you are in the world. Trust us; if a solar farm can function in Anchorage, Alaska, there should be no problems with the solar panels in Jacksonville homes!
4. Solar Energy Will Only Be Applicable If You Own the Property
Many people think that you can’t go solar unless you own the house. This also automatically makes it inaccessible to people living in condominiums. However, this just isn’t true! There are many community solar programs that allow multiple households or units to share a solar array that is separate from their homes. This can also make going solar more affordable as all the costs will be split among all the residences that are connected to the solar energy system!
Conclusion
Disinformation is indeed a hindrance to true progress. And while we understand that not everyone is ready and capable of making the switch, we hope that the information stated above will help you make more informed decisions when it comes to using solar energy at home.
Enlight Energy provides quality energy solutions that can help improve your home’s efficiency. We provide solar panels in North Florida and other neighboring regions. Schedule a free audit with us today so that we can help you find the right solar cell system for your home!