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Solar energy has gained popularity recently due to its position as a greener and cheaper long-term alternative to power homes and businesses. This growing interest has led to a surge of online and offline misinformation, making many interested in installing solar panels stay on the fence. To fight the misconceptions about solar power, we want to help you separate fact from fiction by debunking the most common solar energy myths. Myth #1: Solar Panels Don’t Work in Cold Weather or Cloudy Days Fact: Solar panels work even in winter when we have below-zero temperatures most days. This myth is widespread since many believe solar panels depend on solar heat to produce energy. The fact is that solar panels get power from the sunlight, and this light is absorbed by the photovoltaic (PV) cells the panels are made of, turning the light into usable energy. Moreover, solar panels are more efficient in cold temperatures, just like any other electrical appliance in your home. High temperatures reduce PV cells’ output efficiency by 10% to 25%, that is, their ability to produce power. Solar panels will work at their maximum efficiency on cold, sunny days; this is why Southern Alberta is one of the best places to install solar panels in Canada. As for solar panels’ performance on cloudy or rainy days, they will still produce power on a slightly reduced level, depending on the thickness of the clouds. Myth #2: Solar Panels Cause Roof Damage Fact: A well-designed solar system installed by professionals takes into consideration roof integrity, and it should never cause any damage. This is why it’s always recommended work with a dedicated and experienced solar company to avoid any potential headaches in the long run. Myth #3: Solar Panels Aren’t Efficient Enough Fact: Under optimal conditions, solar panels should start powering your home and reducing your dependence on the grid almost immediately. Over time, your solar panels will produce more energy than your home needs and that excess energy will be sold to the grid, granting you credits that will reduce your electricity bills. Myth #4: Solar Panels Are Too Expensive Fact: The upfront investment still exists, but thanks to the increasing availability of government financial incentives, solar panels are more accessible than ever. Once you get a home solar system, you become a micro-generator. By selling the excess energy you produce back to the grid, the initial investment you made at the beginning will pay itself over time.  Myth #5: Installing Solar Panels Is Complicated and Are High-Maintenance Fact: Home solar system installation is quick and straightforward if you work with an experienced installer. From our experience, most systems are up and running within a day. If homeowners want, they can clean the solar panels with water to remove accumulated dust or snow to keep them in good condition, but most of the time, the rain will do this for them. As for technical maintenance, solar systems have very few moving parts for maintenance and, in most cases, do not require extensive maintenance on the homeowner’s behalf to function correctly. Solar YYC customers get lifetime system monitoring, so we can offer support quickly if something is wrong with their panels. Myth #6: Reselling a Home with Solar Panels is Difficult Fact: Solar panels have increased in popularity, and homes have become more valued and appealing to buyers. Research has found that homes with solar systems have an average appreciation of 4% in Canada, which can help pay for your investment. In addition, solar-powered homes tend to sell faster than traditional homes. Myth #7: Solar Panels Can’t Withstand Hail Fact: Modern solar panels are covered with heavy-duty tempered glass and are incredibly resilient. The panels are tested to resist hail storms and harsh weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow, and high winds. We hope this article helps you understand solar energy better and make an informed decision on getting solar panels. If you have more concerns or questions about solar, we can give you the answers. Book a free, no-obligation consultation to make us all your solar questions, no matter how big or small.

“Why are my electric bills so high?” is a question that more and more Albertans are asking when they receive their monthly bills, and it’s for good reason. Alberta’s electricity rates have been rising consistently for the past two years.  Since the provincial government removed the price cap for Albertans with access to electricity plans with the regulated-rate option (RRO) back in the fall of 2019, power prices have been climbing consistently. As a result, regulated rates have gone up from an average of 2.88 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), to around 17 cents per kWh as of November 2022. With higher inflation on other daily items and services, many Albertans are looking for options to cut down on utility expenses. For those looking to save money on Alberta electricity bills, solar may be a suitable option. How Solar Panels Can Help You Lower Your Alberta Electricity Bills Once the solar panels are installed, they absorb sunlight energy through their photovoltaic (PV) cells and turn it into electricity that will start powering your home alongside your regular grid electricity service. In addition to the installation of the solar panels, the homeowner will also have a bi-directional meter installed, where they’ll be able to see the amount of solar energy that their panels produce. Sometime after the installation (in sunny Alberta this can be a matter of a few weeks) the energy production of the solar panels will start to surpass your home requirements, and that excess energy will be exported. This process is regulated by the Alberta Micro-Generation Program, hence you’ll become a micro-generator.  Following the program regulations, your energy company will automatically credit your account against the electricity consumed during the night or at periods when the energy used by the home exceeds what the solar system is producing. This process is called net billing. As a result, you will be producing your own power with the solar panels, gradually reducing your dependency from grid-electricity, receiving monthly credits for your grid-energy consumption, and getting lower electricity bills every month.  The following graph illustrates how the process works: “Selling Back to the Grid”: How Investing in Solar Starts Paying Itself Depending on the size of your solar system and your daily electricity needs, you will start producing enough energy to consistently power your home almost immediately.  Over time, the excess energy your solar system produces and sends back to the grid will reduce your bills consistently by using the credits you receive to offset your grid consumption. You’ll have to negotiate the credit rates you’ll receive with your electricity retailer beforehand. This process of “selling back to the grid” to pay less and less in electricity bills over the years, is what will pay for your solar system investment. On average, most homeowners see the financial break-even between 10 to 15 years. Plus, you get the extra cash in your pocket from reduced or eliminated utility bills right away. Beyond Paying Less in Electricity Bills Going solar in Alberta is an investment that does more than save you money on electricity in the long haul. It’s low-maintenance, it reduces your carbon footprint, increases your home’s market value, and it’s a reliable energy source that will help you whenever grid-electricity is not available. If you want to become a micro-generator and start saving on electricity bills in Alberta, contact us to get a free consultation.