We’ve now explored myths around Savings, Estimates, Incentives, and Taxes and about Sizing Your Solar Electric System. In this third part of our series on misconceptions and misinformation about solar, we’re going to talk about the actual installation of solar electric systems, as well as how they relate to the environment around us.
Myth: Solar Will Damage My Roof
Reality: Not if it’s installed correctly! Any home improvement done poorly can damage your home, from a new water heater, to insulation, plumbing, or yes, a solar electric system. So it is important to understand how your solar installer will connect racking that holds the solar modules to your roof structure.
We use sturdy, industry-standard methods to connect solar racking to the roof, with an appropriate method for each roof type. For built-up flat roofs, this means connecting a steel standoff to the roof trusses using stainless steel hardware and sealant, then adding an all-metal flashing with sealant underneath, and roof repair fabric and sealant on top.
For tile roofs and asphalt shingle roofs, we use high-quality, sturdy tile hooks and composition shingle mounts made by Quick Mount PV (you can see installation videos on the linked pages). For metal standing seam and metal trapezoidal roofs, we use products from S-5! For membrane roofs, we can work with your roofer who can properly seal standoffs after we attach them to the structure.
Myth: I Can Install Solar Even If My Roof is in Poor Condition
Reality: Nope! Some installers will want to rush you into installing solar on a roof that needs repair or replacement. This is a bad idea. When you do decide to replace your roof, you’ll have to pay thousands to remove and re-install your solar electric system. Instead, get your roof replaced or repaired before installing solar.
Myth: Solar Means I Have to Upgrade My Electrical Panel
Reality: It depends. If you want a large solar electric system, your existing electric panel is in poor shape, you want to add batteries, or you don’t have space for a solar breaker, you may need to upgrade your electrical panel. But for most people installing a grid-tie solar electric system in Southern Arizona, this will not be necessary. For more information, see our recent post, Why Do I Need to Upgrade or Replace My Electric Panel?
Myth: All Solar Installers Install the Same Way
Reality: Methods and quality of work can be very different from installer to installer! Some folks jump into the solar industry thinking that solar is a quick buck. In their wake, they leave poorly designed and installed systems, that won’t perform well, and can damage your home. Your installer should be able to explain how the systems are installed, and have the licensing, training, and experience required to make sure your solar electric system will last for 25+ years.
Quality solar installers have usually been in business for a few years, and/or have highly experienced employees. Net Zero Solar has been installing solar for over eleven years, and many of our team members have been in the industry for over fifteen years. Chad & Louis are NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professionals. We’re also proud that we spend time and money to continuously improve our installation process.
Myth: Solar Panels Aren’t Clean Energy
Reality: Solar panels are a clean, long-lasting source of energy. Most modules have warranties of 25 years, with expected lifetimes longer than that. Silicon solar modules (like the LG Solar products we install) do not contain toxic compounds. But because the manufacturing process often uses toxic substances, it is important to source from manufacturers that have a good environmental safety record.
Another easily disproved myth is that solar modules use more in energy and materials than the energy they will produce over their lifetime. This is absurd. In fact, the energy payback time for most solar modules is between 6-24 months.
We do believe that solar modules should be reused or recycled if at all possible, so we use the services of Recycle PV Solar as needed.
Myth: Solar Panels Are Ugly
Reality: We don’t dispute that there are some poor looking solar installations out there, tilted up at strange angles (we tend to refer to these as “fish gill installations”), or strangely sprinkled on rooftops. But given just a little bit of know-how, solar installations can be aesthetically pleasing clean power producers!
It’s also important to compare solar to other sources of energy. Just because you don’t see the negative effects in your backyard doesn’t mean they aren’t ugly sources of energy! The coal mine, uranium mine, or natural gas well that fuels electricity generation for your home exists, even if it’s in somebody else’s backyard.
Myth: Solar Roof Tiles Will Change the World!
Reality: Whether it’s a shady Facebook ad, or an emotionally immature billionaire in trouble (again!?) with the SEC for his tweets, somebody always seems to be shilling for solar roof tiles. A solar electric system that integrates into the roof and looks great! It’ll save money because you don’t have to buy roofing!
Not so fast. A multitude of manufacturers have tried various solar shingle and tile products over the last couple of decades. None have been commercially successful. Many have had engineering problems, like poor performance in our hot desert climate. Although it’s now a few years old, this article from Eric Wesoff (a highly experienced industry journalist) shares some common sense on the subject.
More Myths: The Mythening
Yeah, we’ve still got more solar myths to explore over the next couple months. We promise, we’ll share about other topics soon. But before then, we’ll tackle myths about using & maintaining your system, and off-grid systems.
We had also planned to discuss myths about batteries & energy storage, but most of them have been covered on our new Batteries page.
If you’ve seen other myths or have questions, please comment below. We’d love your feedback!
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