As solar panel use continues to expand, it cannot be avoided that misconceptions about them circulate. Some of these misconceptions started when solar technology is still new to many. But now that solar power has been proven to be reliable by consumers, these misconceptions are now understood.
Here are some of the misconceptions people have about solar panels.
They stop working in high temperatures.
Solar panels are standardised at 25 degrees celsius, but when they are installed, their temperature increases.
At high temperatures, the power output of solar panels is reduced by 8-10%, But they do not stop working. How much power is lost during high temperatures is set by the temperature coefficient. Monocrystalline solar cells have a -.5% degree celsius temperature coefficient, which means it will lose one-half percent of its generated power every time the temperature increases by a degree.
They are inefficient during cloudy days.
During cloudy days, the sun is not entirely blocked, and the solar panels still receive sunlight through radiation. The amount of radiation that will reach the arrays will depend on the type and density of the cloudy. The denser the clouds, the lesser radiation reaches the panels, and in turn, there is lower power production.
Manufacturing them requires more energy while their energy production is lesser.
Manufacturing makes use of energy, including solar panels. The solar panels have many material compositions which are also produced using power. This energy expenditure during manufacture is called embodied energy. With its life span of 20-30 years, a solar panel can already generate much power and exceed its embodied energy.
They make electricity expensive for those who don't use solar power.
This one is a common misconception and creates misunderstandings between solar users and non-users. In reality, solar energy produced in households and businesses is helping reduce the demand for electricity from the national grid.
As the population increases, there is a need for more transmission lines to supply a higher demand for electricity. Groundwork costs for these power lines and generators are passed onto the consumers, which appears as additional charges in their electric bills.
But with the use of solar power and the production of excess solar energy, the construction of transmission lines is minimised. In several areas, the wholesale electricity price is lower because excess solar energy limits the need for gas power stations.