The 5 Main Misconceptions About Photovoltaic Solar Energy

Photovoltaics is a booming technology that is attracting more interest around the world. However, despite the obvious ecological and economic advantages of this renewable energy, many misconceptions still persist. These mistaken beliefs may discourage some people from adopting this promising technology. In this article, we'll review the most common misconceptions about solar PV panels and examine the facts to determine if they're myths or facts.

1. Photovoltaics only work in Sunny regions, where it is the hottest

Fake. Photovoltaic effect works thanks to the light of the sun, and not the heat. It would therefore be necessary to be completely immersed in darkness, continuously, to be unable to produce green electricity.

2. Photovoltaic is not profitable

Fake. A few decades ago, this idea could still be defended by a very high acquisition cost and panels that did not exceed 20 years of life. Today, technological advances coupled with the democratization of solar energy make this solution affordable, sustainable and profitable.

Solar panels are guaranteed for up to 30 years and in practice can operate for 4-5 decades. The average costs of a photovoltaic power plant have only been falling for 20 years to be. In 2023, around $3,00 including tax (excluding self-consumption premium) for an installation of 3 kilowatts-peak (kWp) .

The maintenance of solar panels is quite simple because, with only one cleaning per year, you maintain the production performance of your plant.

Financial aid is multiplying to help you decarbonize your energy. Recently, the self-consumption bonus was once again updated upwards and will now be paid in one installment to eligible individuals, as soon as your plant is commissioned (for installations below 9 kWp).

3. Photovoltaic is not ecological

Fake. Photovoltaics is one of the most relevant solutions for combating climate change and making progress in the energy transition. However, we tend to find a lot of faults with this great innovation. Let's decipher them together.

Solar panels are not recyclable

This is totally false: photovoltaic panels are recycled. Mainly made of glass, plastic and aluminium, the panels can be easily divided according to the nature of the materials so that the metals can then be melted down for reuse.

Photovoltaic panels contain rare earths

This is one of the recurring attacks on photovoltaics: the fact that the manufacture of the panels comes from an invasive extraction of a “rare earth”. First, to contextualize, know that the “rare earths” are a list of 17 metals known for their rare properties and used in various industries, especially in digital technologies.

The controversy surrounding these metals does not stem from their geological rarity, as several deposits exist around the world, but rather from the environmental impact of their extraction and processing. These highly toxic chemical processes produce residues that often pollute the environment.

However, it is important to note that solar panels do not contain rare earths. About 90% of the photovoltaic panels produced are made of crystalline silicon cells, which are not rare earths, just like the other components of the solar panels.

Solar panels are made in China

This is partly true, and it is regrettable! At a time when China has accelerated its production of photovoltaic panels, having captured the enormous potential of this technology, Europe and especially France have not been able to react. Today, we regret not having sufficient production to supply ourselves locally, but this is not inevitable. Many giga-factories should see the light of day on French territory, in order to further develop our energy independence.

Nevertheless, despite this last point and according to a study by the Photovoltaic Power Systems (PVPS) program of the International Energy Agency, photovoltaic panels manage to repay their energy debt within a maximum period of 1 to 4 years, depending on the level sunshine. This means that the ecological impact of photovoltaics is extremely low.

4. Photovoltaic is ugly, fragile, useless

All remarks are good to take so that the photovoltaic sector can improve continuously. On the other hand, there are reviews that are particularly subjective, and we explain why:

• “Photovoltaic is ugly! So, of course, the photovoltaic panels are visible but sometimes go completely unnoticed. When we carry out impact studies before the installation of a large photovoltaic power plant, we also take into account the visual impact so that the project is as discreet as possible. If you are an individual , know that now there are a multitude of models, from basic blue to "full black" which has a style that appeals more. The latest technological innovations also make it possible to color the solar panels or even to integrate them into a tiled roof. So there is something for everyone!
• “Photovoltaic is fragile! So yes, a solar panel is made of glass so it's breakable. On the other hand, the panels are stronger than a Velux®, a window or an automobile windshield. Thus, photovoltaic solar panels are designed to withstand the majority of climatic hazards.
• “Photovoltaic is useless; nuclear energy already supplies us with electricity. It is unwise to put all your eggs in one basket, and energy production is a good example of this. Without talking to you about ecological aspects, nuclear energy has some shortcomings, in particular the fact that it requires the import of uranium to operate, unlike the Sun which is present free of charge everywhere to produce its own electricity via the photovoltaic effect. . Moreover, nuclear power is a global and shared energy when photovoltaics can help every person to move towards energy independence.

5. Photovoltaic is too expensive for an individual

Not necessarily! It depends on the budget you are ready to devote to it, but know that, in a few years, the installation costs have been greatly reduced!

Also, photovoltaics benefits from government aid such as the self-consumption bonus or the obligation to purchase surplus production.

Thus, relying on the model of photovoltaic self-consumption with resale of surplus, an individual will see his installation pay for itself between 6 and 10 years.