One of the best roles you can assume today in creating a better world for tomorrow is that of a “Solar Power Myth Buster.” I can see it now, you masked crusader you.
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 costs too much. Never tell anyone they’re wrong. Instead, ask if you can schedule an appointment for a solar power installation appraisal for them. Let them know you don’t want to dissuade them from holding onto their beliefs, but if they’re willing to allow an open discussion, you’d like to either reinforce or dispel that belief before it gets shared with others, or keeps them from having a healthy, clean…and free power source. Let them know the appraiser will assess with them:
What is the cost of a traditional heating, air conditioning system and hot water heater today compared to a solar installation?
What is the per-watt price for electricity, or unit cost of natural gas, oil, or whatever other fossil fuel that might be used in their area?
Since 1970, coal, gas and oil utility costs have gone up, on average, 5.5 percent per year. At that rate, what will their per unit cost be in 5 years, 10 years, 15 and 20 years? On a solar off-the-grid system…it’s likely to 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.
Can you get tax credits, incentives and rebates when you install a fossil-fuel conventional system? You can if you have a solar installation.
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.
All right, Solar Myth Buster. Go forth, and create a better world for the future, armed with facts that can bust apart even the strongest relics of the fossil fuel age.
Looking to find out all you can on solar energy facts then visit www.HomeSolarPowerExplained.com to find the best advice on home solar power for you.
categories: home solar power, solar power, solar energy, renewable energy, environment
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