Despite it’s numerous benefits, there are still skeptics when it comes to deploying solar power. There are many misconceptions about solar power, and we are here to set the record straight.
Solar Systems are Too Expensive
This misconception might have been true years ago, but that is not the case any longer. Solar power is one of the most cost-effective sources of power. Solar photovoltaics (PV) has seen the sharpest cost decline of any electricity technology over the last decade. A new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) found that between 2010-2019, the cost of solar PV globally dropped by 82%.
With a variety of payment options we offer, companies and factories can even Go Solar and pay a monthly rate for electricity supplied without paying for the solar system.
Solar Power does not perform well in cold climates
The truth is, solar panels extract energy from light, not heat. So cold weather has little to do with how well your solar installation functions. If anything, colder temperatures will actually increase the voltage produced and thus generate more electricity.
Read Also: UAE based solar panel manufacturer expands operation in Nigeria
Solar Power can not power Commercial & Industrial facilities
Worldwide many factories and mega shopping malls are powered by solar, handling capacities in Megawatts range. Africa alone in 2018 installed 74Megawatts of Commercial and Industrial projects were installed in Africa alone in 2018, according to a 2019 Bloomberg report on Solar for Businesses in Sub-saharan Africa.
Today the market for commercial and Industrial (C&I) solar in sub-saharan Africa appears positioned for rapid growth.
The high-cost and poor-quality of grid power, declining solar energy costs, and the rise of energy storage are the primary factors contributing to this tipping point effect, according to the Bloomberg report.
Solar Panels Require Too Much Maintenance
Some business owners show concern regarding maintenance and whether it could damage their facility roof. Solar panel arrays require minimal maintenance and even extend the lifespan of a roof as they block UV light, which can cause roof degradation.
Solar panels must be installed on the roof of a building
The roof is typically the simplest and lowest cost place to install panels. However, electricity does not care where it comes from and solar panels just need to see the sun. So, panels can be installed both on the building or elsewhere on your building site for example on a ground mount.
According to Renewable Energy Hub UK, ground mounted solar panels can be just as cost effective, easy to install, and efficient, as their roof mounted counterparts.
Chidi Obike is the Founder and CEO of Powerup Renewables Ltd, a seasoned technology and business leader with over 15years of experience gained working at global companies including Ericsson and Huawei.
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