Little Known Solar Facts
There are many misconceptions when it comes to solar. While solar has been around for decades, it is somewhat new to mainstream technology and is commonly underestimated as a superior source for energy generation. Solar is unique in that it offers a long-term, high-efficiency, clean energy technology with huge money-saving results in its ability to generate electricity from the sun. These attributes coupled with rising electric utility rates, inflation, and a growing electric vehicle market makes going solar more popular than ever. While solar certainly provides the most affordable energy in the world, there are several little known facts which often take a backseat to the more popular discussion of a zero dollar electric bill.
Fact 1: Solar Energy is the Most Abundant Energy Source on Earth
It is no myth that our sun is a powerful, consistent, and reliable energy source blanketing the Earth each and every day. In just one hour, the sun covers the Earth with enough energy to power the whole world for an entire day. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “173,000 terawatts of solar energy strikes the Earth continuously, that’s more than 10,000 times the world’s total energy use.”
With solar technology we now have the ability to harness this natural renewable energy source and produce our own clean and affordable energy.
Fact 2: Solar Energy is Cheaper and Cleaner than Using Fossil Fuels
The price of using fossil fuels to create our electric energy is in constant fluctuation. As consumers of energy, when fossil fuel prices go up, so does your energy costs. Rarely do consumers enjoy lower energy costs for long periods of time, even if the fossil fuel markets are flush with excess. These fuels are also a limited resource, require more and more funds to access and refine these fuels into energy, and contribute significantly to global warming trends. Energy produced from the use of fossil fuels is often known as “dirty energy.”
Solar on the other hand provides a fixed energy cost, produces clean energy and comes from a renewable source, the sun. Owners of a solar array will never receive an invoice from the sun. Pending the solar array is bought and paid for, the energy produced from the solar array is free.
Fact 3: A Solar Array has a 40+ Year Life Span
Because solar panels (aka solar modules) do not contain any moving parts, their life expectancy is extremely long. This is why solar panel manufactures will provide 25 and 30 years warranties on tier 1 rated solar panels. The solar panels will however experience some degree of energy production loss over time. This degradation is often less than 0.5% a year. Meaning, in 25 years, the solar panel will still be producing 80% or more of the electricity it did on day one. String inverters and micro inverters will typically have a 10 year manufacturer warranty but can be expanded to 20 and 25 years depending on the manufacturer.
Fact 4: A Solar Array is Low Maintenance
A professionally designed, engineered and installed solar array is nearly maintenance-free. The panels are primarily glass, aluminum and copper. The tempered glass used on a tier 1 solar panel is extremely durable and made to withstand extreme weather events and impacts from hail, debris, a stray frisbee, etc. However, this does not mean they are unbreakable if you throw a hammer at it.
The racking used on a roof-mounted or ground-mounted solar array is also low maintenance. The racking is constructed of heavy gauge aluminum and ground posts used by Eagle Point Solar are galvanized steel i-beams.
Fact 5: You Can Produce Solar Energy on Cloudy Days
A common misconception about solar is that is can only produce energy when it is sunny. That is not the case at all. Solar panels use ultraviolet light to create power. Even on a cloudy day, there is ultraviolet light present. Infrared light, which can also be used for solar energy and is present on cloudy and dark days, is lower in energy than visible light, but solar panels are still able to convert it into electricity. Ultraviolet light is often greatest in summer as the sun is high in the sky and its rays pass through less atmosphere before reaching the earth’s surface. In winter, the sun is lower in the sky and its rays have a longer course through the atmosphere. Therefore, a solar array’s production is tied more to the amount of ultraviolet light it is exposed to on any given day. Thick clouds and dense fog can effect solar production totals if these weather patterns limit penetration of ultraviolet light from reaching the solar panel.
Fact 6: A Solar Array Will Increase Your Home’s Value
A home with solar is proven to sell quicker and for more money than a home without solar. According to EnergySage (2021), solar panels on average increase a home’s value by 3-4%. Given rising interest rates, inflation and the rapidly growing electric vehicle market since this study was reported, it is realistic to assume these figures are even greater in today’s real estate market. Read more in our blog: Does a Solar Energy System Affect Property Value?
Fact 7: Solar Electricity Has Been Around Since 1839
Alexandre Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect, the ability to create an electric current from the sun’s rays in 1839. Russell Ohl invented the first solar panel cell in 1941 and the first commercial silicon solar panel was built by Bell Laboratories in 1954. Solar may seem new in our everyday life because we see it more and more on homes, farms and buildings around us. However, solar is a time-tested and proven technology which continues to advance and provide affordable, reliable and clean energy throughout the world.
Fact 8: You Can Own Your Own Solar Array for Less Than You Think
Without solar, you will continue to pay your utility each month for electricity…forever. As utility rates increase year-over-year, you’ll continue to pay more and more. The cost of your electricity over the next 40 years is far greater than the cost of a solar array which will produce clean, affordable energy during the same 40 years. If you are interested in becoming a solar owner you can pay cash for your system, use a home equity loan, or finance the array with a solar loan. Typically, the monthly payment on a solar loan is comparable to your current monthly electric bill. As previously mentioned, as utility rates increase your monthly loan payment will remain the same each month. Read more about Eagle Point Solar’s financing options here. When you’re ready to enjoy the financial and environmental benefits of solar, begin here with our Free Solar Analysis estimate.
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Get all the facts before you decide
Are you curious about solar, but unsure if it is right for your home or business? Our Free Solar Analysis can help. We’ll educate you on how much energy a solar array on your property could generate, how that compares to your current electrical usage and how much money you will save over the next 25 years. We’ll also provide information on financing options, tax credits, energy grants, rebates, equipment and warranty information. You’ll even see a mockup of what the array would look like on your property and where you’ll receive the greatest solar energy production.