3 Myths and Misconceptions About Solar, Explained

  |  February 25, 2021

Images courtesy of SunCommon

Solar has been growing rapidly across the Hudson Valley and chances are, you or someone you know has solar at their home. This growth can be attributed to a number of things, like a desire to move away from fossil fuels, available government incentives, or simply because solar is now more accessible than ever. But even with all this growth, there are still a few lingering myths about solar.

Since so much has changed with solar over the last decade, we turned to SunCommon, the Rhinebeck-based installer of residential solar systems, to bust a few of the most common misconceptions they hear about going solar.

1. “It’s too expensive.”

If you haven’t checked the price of solar in a while, it’s time to look again! Prices have definitely come down over time. New York is home to one of the best incentive programs in the nation to encourage folks to go solar. And for an average system, the NYSERDA incentive combined with the Federal and State tax credits could cover 50 percent of the cost.

Plus, if you compare the cost of going solar to the cost of paying your utility bill forever, solar always wins. The average person could end up paying over $80,000 on electricity over their lifetime. Buying power from a utility is like paying rent: You pay every month but never build equity or lasting value. With solar, you own your power.

Images courtesy of SunCommon

2. “My roof doesn’t face the right way.”

Old solar technology required panels to be installed on southern facing roofs, but now, eastern and western facing roofs can work just fine as long as shading is limited. And don’t forget, there are plenty of options other than your roof to make solar work for you, such as a ground mount array or solar canopy that you can place elsewhere on your property. The SunCommon Solar Canopy allows you to go solar over your driveway, patio, or woodpile, or you can create a brand new functional outdoor space to enjoy.

Images courtesy of SunCommon

3. “I’m moving soon or considering moving in the future.”

Recent studies show that adding solar actually increases home value by a large margin, and it can even help your home sell faster. So, unless you’re moving immediately, adding solar is actually a pretty wise idea that your future self will thank you for.

If you are interested in revisiting solar or getting started for the first time, reach out to SunCommon at (866) 452-7652 or solar@suncommon.com.

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