5 Misconceptions About Residential Solar Power

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5 Misconceptions About Residential Solar Power

Jan 15, 2024

If you want sustainable, clean energy, then a solar installation is the way to go. Homeowners are concerned about their carbon footprint and cost savings. Many are opting for the benefits of this type of energy. Here are some misconceptions about residential solar power.

1. It's Expensive

Considering how one can save by installing solar panels and having so many financing options, it's humorous that people still think that they're expensive. The cost of a residential solar system can range from $6,600 and $22,800, according to Forbes, but you don't have to pay everything at one time in many cases. Many solar companies provide various financing options.

With solar installation, even if you don't save up front, you can get some money back later on. Thanks to the federal government initiatives to make the country more sustainable, there is a tax credit for homeowners who make solar installations between 2022 and 2032. Expect to get a 30% credit for your solar panel upgrade, according to the United States Department of Energy. Don't forget how much you're going to save with those ongoing energy bills once you install the panels.

2. It Only Works in Intense Sunlight

The sun is always in the sky. Whether it's a rainy day, a cloudy day, or a major hail storm, the sun hasn't disappeared. You simply can't see it. Therefore, you can use your solar technology in any weather condition, whether it's the dog days of August or a snowy winter day. That sunlight, even though you can't see it, is still reaching the planet and giving life to all forms of vegetation and other creatures who need it. Since battery storage can be connected to your panels to provide nighttime energy, it's a clean energy backup you can take advantage of.

3. It's Only for Certain Homeowners

When people talk about “going off the grid,” they often use solar energy as a way to do so. After all, when you install your own clean energy source, you have lost reliance on the grid or anything else connected to your local municipality. Some people may see those who live such a lifestyle as strange or antisocial. However, solar energy has nothing to do with such an ideology. Anyone, regardless of politics, income level, or culture, can benefit from the power of solar energy.

As a matter of fact, more and more homeowners understand that solar power installations can benefit them and are making the switch to save as much money as possible. According to EnergySage, in early 2019, the U.S. surpassed 2 million solar system installations, and it's expected to continue growing.

4. It'll Damage My Roof

As long as your roof has been properly installed, there's nothing that residential solar power can do to damage it. Solar panel installation doesn't involve any drilling or roof alteration. The installation goes on top of your roofing and can even protect it. Remember, the solar panels themselves will block the elements often responsible for causing roof rot, cracks, and holes. Therefore, you may inadvertently be protecting your home from the ravages of water and other vulnerabilities that can come from the roof.

5. It's Too Hard to Maintain

One of the largest myths regarding residential solar power is the level of maintenance required. You couldn't ask for a more low-maintenance upgrade to your home. They're designed to withstand harsh weather conditions while still capturing the sun's rays. Your solar panels don't have moving parts that require maintenance or that can break down over time. You can expect a reputable solar energy company to give you a valid warranty lasting several years. Install your solar panels and expect to use the energy from them for 25 to 30 years without a new installation, according to Forbes.

If you're letting the above myths stop you from enjoying residential solar power, then it's time to move on. The above myths have no foundation and can easily be refuted by the true benefits of using solar panels. If you're ready to have a low-maintenance and clean energy source that can last several decades, then what are you waiting for? Contact our local team at Northwind Solar today to get started with our services.

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Northwind Solar will Transition Forward Note: This communication from Northwind Solar CEO Josh Stolzenburg is a message to our stakeholders, clients, and friends about an exciting new development at Northwind. I’ve been consumed, for nearly two decades now, leading a passion project called Northwind Solar. Originally conceived to provide meaningful work for those who wanted to advance climate and energy solutions, we’ve grown into one of Wisconsin’s most effective and respected solar companies. Thirty committed employees (of whom 16 share ownership) now work out of our Amherst office. The time has come for me to step out of the role of CEO, shift my Northwind work to new priorities, and cultivate next generation leadership. As a company, we have matured over the years and come a long way from the conceptual white boards I scrawled on the walls of a friend’s basement in 2007, My crude “business plan” evolved from educational work (with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association) which fueled my desire to put meaningful green kilowatt hours on the Wisconsin grid to offset fossil fuel use. I engaged a couple of technically proficient business partners in 2008 and we began to offer wind, solar heating, and solar electric to suit the needs of a growing customer base. In the mid-teens we shifted our exclusive focus to solar electric (including battery systems and, now, smart electrification). From the beginning, community involvement was an important corollary to our professional work. My early involvement with the development of the Central Rivers Farmshed and work with the WI Farmer’s Union led to compelling work with and support for local small farms. Until recently, I’ve advised Mid-State Technical College’s renewable energy program since it’s inception in 2008 and we’ve been able to hire graduates of that program consistently since 2010. I’ve served on the Renew WI board of directors since 2019 and helped to create SolarShare WI, a thriving community solar investment cooperative. Part of the Northwind ethos has been distributed management and shared ownership. We formalized that in 2017 when we converted from a partnership to a worker owned cooperative. Employees could buy in, become owners, and share in the financial rewards and governance. In the seven years since there have been challenges, successes, and changes in personnel as we have learned to be a democratic company.