When I came into the solar industry, I never realized that it was an industry of fable, myth and mystery.\u00a0 I saw it as a construction-based industry that was based upon science, technology and education.\u00a0 However, the longer I have been in the field and the deeper I find myself embedded in the business, I have found I spend many hours a week unraveling the solar myths predecessors have sprinkled the market with.\u00a0 Although I love storytelling and can sink my teeth into a good myth, I do not think that the tales I hear are benefitting consumers or allowing for progress within the industry.\u00a0 Myths, fables and mysteries have their place around a campfire, but as a solar installation company focused on education, it is important we take the time to demystify the industry un-truths and promote accurate information being shared with our community and customer base. \u00a0This article with break down some of the solar myths I have heard on recent sales calls and from curious community members.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n As they say, \u201cIf it seems too good to be true, it probably isn\u2019t true.\u201d\u00a0 Unfortunately, there is not any government driven programs that provide free solar.\u00a0 There are many government programs that promote solar, but none allow a homeowner to install a system on their home for free.\u00a0 Some programs that do exist include the tax incentive, up to 30% for qualified homeowners.\u00a0 There are also some federal home loans that allow homeowners to cover the cost of energy efficiency upgrades, such as a residential solar system, into their mortgage.\u00a0 Therefore, there are many government programs available that support solar, but none that give a homeowner solar for free<\/strong>. Any company that promises you that is not being honest.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Although going solar can drastically reduce your PG&E bill, it will not eliminate it.\u00a0 Well designed solar installations are created to offset the typical electricity usage of a household<\/strong>.\u00a0 Assuming the system is built to accurate metrics, the costs billed to a homeowner for electricity usage should be $0.<\/p>\n However, your bill will not disappear.\u00a0 Many large utilities, such as PG&E, manage all of your utilities. This means, you will still receive a monthly bill with balance due for gas usages.\u00a0 Another cost associated with your utility bill are mandatory connection fees<\/strong>.\u00a0 Although you may not be purchasing your electricity from the utility, you are still using the grid to store excess energy on.\u00a0 This is a fee-for-service cost associated with your bill.<\/p>\n Additionally, you will receive an annual \u201cTrue-Up\u201d billing statement. This \u201cTrue-Up\u201d bill outlines specifically how much energy your panels produced over the course of the year, how many kilowatt hours of energy the household consumed, and if there is any difference, either a credit or a balance due is outlined. \u00a0Therefore, going solar does not mean that you will never see another bill from the company again, it means that you should see drastic cost savings on your utility bill. Any solar sales rep that tells you PG&E will disappear is not being honest with you.\u00a0 This, too, is a solar myth.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Another myth that has somehow woven its way into the solar conversation is the idea of living completely off the gird and being completely independent from the utility company.\u00a0 Again, solar does allow a homeowner to become much more independent from the utility, such as now being able to control for the incessant increasing costs of solar.\u00a0 However, in the state of California, it is illegal for a homeowner to disconnect completely from the grid once going solar.\u00a0 If a home has never been connected to the utility grid, it is feasible a home can be completely independent from the utility, however, it is not common or realistic.<\/p>\n Another issue worth considering is that most homes in California have some sort of dependence on gas to power their home.\u00a0 The utility that provides electricity is often the same utility that provides for gas services.\u00a0 Meaning, unless there is a substitute for gas usage in the home, there is still a need to be connected to the utility.<\/p>\n A final aspect to be aware of is how important the grid is for solar storage.\u00a0 Most homes rely on the electrical grid to store excess power or provide excess power in the case of shortage.\u00a0 Without the connection, there is a demand that the homeowner has enough battery storage to store all of the excess production.\u00a0 Due to technology, this amount of battery storage is not realistic, or affordable, for most California customers.\u00a0 Together, this means that going solar does not mean a homeowner is now going to be able to live off the grid. This is yet another solar myth.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Another frequently \u2018heard\u2019 comment I hear is \u201cWell, all solar companies are the same.\u201d\u00a0 I have even heard customers report that there have been salesmen who have told them, \u201cAll companies are the same \u2013 it is all about the price\u201d \u2013 from companies that have dirt cheap system quotes.\u00a0 However, there are many important differentiators between solar companies that any consumer should be aware of.\u00a0 Here is a short list:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Like most well-written myths, it is easy to fall into the story and believe the plot lines. However, it is important to remember that like myths and folktales, solar myths are saturated in untruths and not reality.\u00a0 Going solar is a big decision and a big investment. Ensuring you are taking the time to break past the myths and really understand solar truths will allow you to make confident choices about your solar installation.\u00a0 If you are unsure about what is true and what is a myth, stop by our local showroom and work with one of our Energy Advisers today.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When I came into the solar industry, I never realized that it was an industry of fable, myth and mystery.\u00a0 I saw it as a construction-based industry that was based upon science, technology and education.\u00a0 However, the longer I have been in the field and the deeper I find myself embedded in the business, I […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[98,99,50,44,34,90,74],"yoast_head":"\nSolar Myths<\/strong><\/h2>\n
#1 – Free Government Solar Programs <\/strong><\/h2>\n
#2 – <\/strong>No More PGE Bill<\/strong><\/h2>\n
#3 – <\/strong>Live Off the Grid<\/strong><\/h2>\n
#4 – <\/strong>All Solar Companies Are the Same <\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Be Careful of Solar Myths<\/strong><\/h2>\n