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Debunking the Top 8 Solar Myths
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Solar energy is one of the most efficient and renewable energy sources available. It can also save home and business owners a significant amount on their energy bills.
However, there are still many misconceptions about solar energy. In this blog post, we’ll debunk the top 8 solar myths.
Solar Myth #1: Solar panels are too expensive.
The initial cost of solar panels is really high, but many people should realize that solar panels save money in the long run. Over time, the money you save on your electric bill will more than make up for the initial cost of installing solar panels.
Not to mention, there are many government incentives available to help offset the costs of going solar. So, although the initial cost is high, solar panels are actually a wise investment.
Solar Myth #2: Solar panels are not reliable.
Solar panels are made of materials that are built to withstand severe weather conditions such as high winds, hail and even wildfires. In addition, most solar panel manufacturers offer a warranty of 25 years or more. So you can rest easy knowing that your investment is well protected.
Solar Myth #3: Solar panels require a lot of maintenance.
Solar panels are designed to be virtually maintenance-free. They have no moving parts and require no special cleaning or maintenance. Sometimes all you have to do is wipe the panels clean of dirt and dust.
Solar Myth #4: Solar doesn’t work in cold climates.
Cold weather can really affect the ability of solar panels to produce electricity. However, this myth is perpetuated by people living in colder climates like Alaska or Siberia.
In most cases, a little snow and ice won’t stop your solar panels from working. In fact, even in countries like Germany with colder climates than most of the world, solar energy still accounts for more than 7% of the country’s total electricity production.
Solar Myth #5: Solar panels take up a lot of space.
Solar panels take up space on your roof or in your yard, but they take up less space than most people think. A typical 5 kW system takes up about 400 square feet.
That may sound like a lot, but considering the average home in America is around 2,600 square feet, it’s not that bad.
Plus, there are many creative ways to install solar panels that take up less space. For example, you can install them on top of your garage or shed rather than on the roof of your house.
There are more creative ways to incorporate solar panels into your home or business without compromising on aesthetics and functionality. For example, solar panels can be used instead of traditional roof coverings, and solar parking shades can provide both shade and power for electric vehicles.
Solar Myth #6: Solar energy is unreliable because it depends on the weather.
While it is true that sunlight is necessary for solar panels to function properly, this does not mean that solar energy is unreliable. Solar panels can still produce electricity on cloudy days, and you can use battery storage systems to store excess electricity for use on days when the sun isn’t there at all.
Plus, many businesses and homes have backup generators for use during power outages – so why not turn that backup generator into a solar-powered generator?
Solar Myth #7: Going solar will increase my energy costs.
This myth likely stems from confusion about how net metering works. Net metering is a policy in which utilities credit home and business owners for excess electricity generated by solar panel arrays.
This credit offsets the amount they have to pay for grid-supplied electricity – which is why net metering is sometimes called ‘solar grid metering’. In other words, net metering ensures that your energy bills don’t go up just because you’re installing solar panels—in fact, they might even go down!
Solar Myth #8: Solar energy is not safe
Solar energy is one of the safest forms of energy available because it does not emit any pollutants. Solar installations are also designed to be safe for humans and animals. So, if you have a solar installation on your property, you don’t have to worry about deadly electrocution or toxic fumes.
With all these myths and misconceptions about solar energy, many people are hesitant to switch to renewable energy, but they don’t have to! Solar energy is a clean, efficient, and cost-effective way to generate electricity, and it’s only getting more cost-effective over time.
So if you’re thinking about making the switch to renewable energy, don’t let these myths hold you back!
Sunline Energy Wins Best Solar Energy Company Of 2022 Award
We’re also incredibly proud to have been voted “Best Solar Company” for 2022 by the San Diego Reader – this award is a testament to how we value and nurture relationships with our customers who felt compelled to vote for us, so thank you all for your support.
SAN DIEGO (PRWEB) October 28, 2022
Sunline Energy recently announced that the organization has been named a 2022 Best Solar Company by the San Diego Reader, San Diego’s favorite local publication. The San Diego Reader Best of 2022 issue highlights a variety of industries and covers a total of more than 350 categories. San Diegans vote for their favorite businesses, places and people to choose a winner in each category. Sunline Energy defeated Baker Electric Home.
Enerji will take home San Diego’s 2022 Best Solar Company award. Sunline Energy is a multiple Angie’s List Super Service Award winner, has an A+ rating with the BBB, and an average Yelp review of 5 Stars.
ABOUT SOLAR ENERGY
Sunline Energy is a privately owned and family-owned solar and roofing installer based in San Diego, California. With over 5,000 satisfied solar customers, Sunline Energy is the #1 solar company in San Diego and receives more 5-Star Yelp reviews than any other solar installer in the area.
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Indonesia will not sacrifice forests for solar energy: ministry
Jakarta (ANTARA) – Despite Indonesia’s huge solar energy potential, the government will not sacrifice forests to expand the installation of solar panels, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif has confirmed.
“Indonesia has a variety of renewable energy sources, and up to 89% of the more than 3,600 GW of capacity scattered across the country comes from solar energy. But, we have to be careful and not sacrifice our forests for solar panels, because we have to protect (our forests),” he said during the “Bright Bright: Advancing G20 Solar Leadership” webinar on Thursday.
According to Indonesia’s energy transition roadmap, solar power will be essential to meet national electricity demand, as about 21 GW of the 700 GW of renewable energy capacity will come from solar power.
Despite Indonesia’s commitment to a low-emission economy and net-zero emissions target for 2060, the minister said geothermal development is also important in the interim before renewable energy reaches an economically and commercially viable scale.
He added that problems with intermittent solar energy can be solved by using water or geothermal resources.
According to the minister, as an island country, Indonesia needs a power transmission network to distribute electricity from production centers to consumption centers.
He announced that Indonesia plans to develop a super-grid transmission system to ensure access to energy and reduce the gap between renewable energy sources in regions that require high electricity supply.
“We are also opening up the opportunity to export electricity produced by our renewable energy to ASEAN countries through the ASEAN Power Grid,” Tasrif said.
To achieve a zero-carbon economy, all parties must contribute to the implementation of energy transition strategies, he said, adding that not only the government and the business sector, but also energy producers and users should contribute to the process.
“The support of local manufacturers and industries is important because Indonesia has mineral and basic mineral potential, such as raw materials for solar PV (photovoltaic cells), batteries and power cables,” he said.
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Work to do: solar panels mandatory on all new EU homes from 2029 onwards
European Union member states have agreed on stricter energy standards for buildings. The new rules will apply to both new and existing commercial and residential buildings. As outlined in the EU’s climate plans, the target is for all buildings to be energy neutral by 2050.
There are already energy labels for buildings, but they are mainly informative. What is new in the European Union’s plans is that, step by step, all buildings will be required to be increasingly sustainable.
The strictest standards will apply to newly constructed buildings. In relation to existing buildings, there will be a requirement that when the building is extensively renovated, its overall energy efficiency rating must be improved.
For newly constructed buildings, EU member states have agreed that from 2028 all new government buildings will be emission-free. From 2030, this standard will apply to all new buildings, including residential facilities.
Member states are avoiding the proposal of the European Commission
As for existing buildings, the rules are more complicated. European member states want the worst-performing 15 percent of commercial buildings to be rehabilitated by 2030 and no longer in the worst category. By 2034, even 25 percent of the least energy-efficient commercial buildings must be made sustainable.
By defending these percentages, European member states are moving away from the original idea proposed by the European Commission. The latter proposed linking energy standards to the existing energy label system.
The standard to be applied in this case is that commercial buildings should at least comply with the F label by 2027 and the E label by 2030. based on definitions that will be more or less consistent throughout the European Union.
Solar panels still often don’t perform as well as they should – Origin of Innovation
The need to transition to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar has never been more urgent. As the gas tap slowly turns off, electricity costs rise, and the effects of a warmer climate become painfully apparent, more people are buying solar panels.
National regulations
The problem is that the differences in building stock between member states are, if anything, greater than the cultural differences between different parts of Europe. As a result, working with uniform standards creates considerable difficulties. Partly for this reason, member states will prefer to continue to operate under national rules. This is a setback for those who favor as much adaptation as possible when it comes to setting climate and energy targets.
The text, agreed by member states, states that the aim is to “encourage renovation and phase out poorly performing buildings”. It remains unclear whether this actually means that any buildings that do not meet the standard are no longer in use.
A spokesperson for the European Union points out that the new rules need to be incorporated into national legislation by each member state, and that it is up to the member states themselves to meet the targets and implement the standards.
The apartment also comes under new rulesetc
The rules will be slightly different for existing homes compared to commercial properties. The requirements will be linked to national plans that each member state must draw up to ensure that all existing homes are emission-free by 2050.
However, two interim targets have been identified. Namely, in 2033, the average consumption of the entire housing stock of the member state must correspond to energy label D. A new measurement period will come in 2040, and this period should clarify separately for each member state whether it is climate neutral in 2050. target is reachable.
It is interesting that member states have changed the rules on which energy sources are allowed to power a zero-emission building. Now the text says it must be “carbon-free energy”. It was reportedly added under pressure from France, a nuclear power nation.
A sustainable approach to the Dutch housing crisis with prefabricated wooden houses – Innovation Origins
Due to the growing housing shortage in the Netherlands and the increased focus on sustainability in the housing sector, Eemshout from Groningen is experiencing a growth spurt.
Not a lot of time, but a lot of work to do
The new guidelines do not only apply to offices and residential buildings. For example, new requirements regarding parking spaces in enterprises are also applied. Offices with more than 20 parking spaces per person must focus on equipping 10% of their parking spaces for charging electric vehicles within five years. In addition, half of the parking spaces should be designed to be easily equipped with charging stations later.
Bicycles should also be improved to encourage sustainable transport. For example, 15% of the area surface of the parking garage of an office building should be reserved for bicycle storage.
For residential buildings, new residential buildings or buildings being renovated must provide space for a minimum of two bicycles per residential unit. In addition, if such residential complexes have more than three parking spaces, at least half of those spaces must be equipped with a charging station. The remaining parking spaces should be prepared for charging stations that can be easily installed in the future.
Solar panels will be mandatory
Finally, the package of proposals also includes new rules on the installation of solar panels. New buildings should be built in such a way that they can make optimal use of solar energy. From December 31, 2026, every new government building or private office building with an area of more than 250 square meters must actually be equipped with solar panels.
In two years, the installation of solar panels will also require major renovation of existing office buildings larger than 400 square meters. Then, from the end of 2029, solar panels will be mandatory for every new home.
The European Parliament is preparing to take the next step
The fact that the European member states reached an agreement today does not mean that everything has already been resolved. The European Parliament will announce its position on the new directive next month. After that, the member states and the Parliament must come to a mutual agreement.
This promises to be a difficult debate, especially regarding energy standards for buildings. The expectation is that, unlike member states, the European Parliament will want to continue with energy certificates. This directive will only come into force after member states and the European Parliament agree on a compromise. Negotiations will continue at least until the first half of next year.