Common Solar Myths Dispelled

There are many myths floating around about the solar industry and what it means to go solar here in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region. In this post, we’ll outline the truth around solar. Enjoy!

Myth #1: Rochester, NY isn’t sunny enough for solar

Fact: This is one of the most common things we hear people say, and fortunately, it’s not true! Rochester receives plenty of sun, on an annual basis, to power homes with solar energy. The good news is that if it is cloudy, you are still tied to the grid, so even if your array isn’t producing enough energy to power your entire home, in the moment, you can still pull energy from the grid. Luckily, even if it’s cloudy, your array can still produce some power because some sunlight is still coming through the clouds. From April through October, your array will typically produce more energy than you use, which makes up for the colder months when there isn’t as much sun. Thanks to net metering, you will receive credit on your electric bill for any overproduction, and you can use those credits when there isn’t as much sun. Solar panels have also become more efficient through the years, so they can generate more energy quicker now.

Myth #2: Solar is too expensive

Fact: Solar being too expensive is a common misconception. In NY, most homeowners that go solar save over 55% on their solar project thanks to the incentives to go solar; plus, solar pays for itself by saving you money on your energy bill! As of December 2022, there is a 30% federal tax credit, a 25% state tax credit, and a NYSERDA grant. The price of your custom solar array will depend on your roof orientation, shading, available space on the roof, and current electric bill. The icing on the cake is that you can typically go solar with no money upfront. If you are interested in getting pricing, feel free to contact us for a quick solar chat!

Myth #3: Solar will keep my home powered even when the power is out

Fact: In NY, since solar arrays are still grid-tied, if the grid goes out, then your solar panels are out as well. The exception to this will be if you have a battery backup. If you have a battery backup plan, you can keep your home powered until the battery runs out.

Myth #4: Solar panels will damage my roof

Fact: Many people think that because the racking is attached to your roof, the solar panels on the roof will cause damage. The good news is solar helps to prolong the life of your roof and protect it. Solar panels aren’t directly attached to the roof; they are attached to the racking system, which is what is attached to the roof. All attachment points of the racking are waterproofed to help prevent any leaking. Please note that you do not want to put solar panels on a roof that is damaged or needs to be replaced soon. Otherwise, there will be maintenance costs to remove the panels for the roof to be repaired/replaced and reinstall the panels.

Myth #5: Snow will stick to my panels and decrease efficiency

While NY receives a lot of snow in the winter, this doesn’t impact solar production as much as you may think. Solar panels are slippery, so snow typically doesn’t stick to them; it just slides off. If there is a heavy snowstorm, the snow may accumulate on the panels. The good news is that when there is heavy snow, there typically isn’t much sunlight, so if snow sticks to the panels, you’re not missing out on much production. When we design your array, we try to size it to overproduce enough during the sunny months so that it will more than make up for any time snow covers your panels.

Myth #6: Solar panels do more harm than good to the environment because they create waste when used up

Fact: While the warranty is 25-30 years, the life expectancy can be even longer! At the end of a panel’s life, it can be recycled, like TVs, laptops, or cell phones, which are typically discarded after just a couple of years. Since solar is newer, solar panels are just starting to reach the end of their lives, so it’s best to check with your solar company on how to recycle panels. Sometimes the company will do it for you; other times, the customer has to take care of it.

Interested in Going Solar?

Interested in going solar? Give us a call at 585-265-2384 or fill out our form online!