Solar power myths

Solar panels and energy payback

One of the most prevalent myths is the one that goes something along the lines of "it takes more energy to make a solar panel than it generates during its serviceable lifespan".

This just isn't true, even low quality panels, assuming they see out their 20 - 25 year lifespan, will generate far more energy during their life than what went into making them. The average energy payback time varies as it depends on the panel, and where it is used, but 1 - 4 years is the average range. Given the 25+ year life, that's a lot of extra energy produced.

Solar power subsidies

Some countries offer generous renewable energy rebates, subsidies and incentives to install solar power, which has led to criticism about solar energy being an unfair burden on taxpayers. What many people don't realise is that solar is competing with fossil fuels on a very unlevel playing field. The fossil fuel industry is very heavily subsidised - and this has been going on for decades. If fossil fuel subsidies were removed and the cost of damage those fuels have wreaked added in, the true cost of coal, diesel and gas would make solar seem quite cheap by comparison.