Busting the Myths Surrounding Solar Energy: Truth About PV Systems
Misconceptions Surrounding Photovoltaic Systems Debunked: A Closer Look Reveals the Truth
Going solar is all the rage in Germany, but there's a lot of misinformation floating around. To prevent disappointments, it's crucial to understand how these systems work and what to expect. Energy expert, Thomas Zwingmann, at the Consumer Center NRW, clarifies four common misconceptions:
Myth 1: Solar Power Makes You Entirely Independent from the Grid
Nope! Despite having a battery storage system, a PV system can only cover a fraction of your annual household electricity needs. The degree of self-sufficiency varies between 25 and 90 percent depending on individual cases. The rest must still be purchased from the grid, particularly during winter months when PV systems generate less electricity. To achieve 100 percent self-sufficiency, a separate seasonal storage system, like hydrogen, is necessary, but it's technically complex and expensive.
Myth 2: Battery Storage is a Must for Profitable PV Systems
Not necessarily! A PV system can still be financially worthwhile without storage. Whether storage pays off depends on variables like individual energyusage and costs. If a significant portion of PV electricity can be self-consumed without storage, a battery storage system is probably not needed. The high acquisition costs make it harder for the storage to be cost-effective in such cases.
Myth 3: South-Facing Roofs are Always Better than East-West Roofs
While a south-facing orientation is optimal for generating maximum electricity, a PV system on an east-west facing roof can still generate around 80 percent of the comparable solar yield. The system captures sunlight earlier in the morning and later in the evening, allowing for much self-consumption, especially during peak hours when people are usually at home. This can help reduce your electricity bill.
Myth 4: Plug-in Solar Generators are Enough to Power Appliances
Nope! Plug-in solar generators are great forproducing electricity with minimal effort. However, their nominal power is around 800 watts, making them suitable for meeting basic household loads (like the fridge, router, or apartment alarm) but not for high-powered appliances (like coffee makers).
- Keywords
- Solar energy
- Photovoltaic systems
- Battery storage
- Renewable energies
- Consumer centers
- Tax office
- Tax return
- Association of Taxpayers
Further insights:
- Renewable Energy Act (EEG) – Historically, Germany's EEG allowed homeowners to feed excess electricity back into the grid and receive a feed-in tariff. Although changed over time, this grid remains a practical option for excess energy, minimizing the need for on-site storage for many households.
- Grid Integration – Despite grid capacity concerns, especially with the integration of renewable energy sources, the grid is designed to handle fluctuations. Battery storage helps stabilize the grid, but it's not always essential for financial viability in individual PV systems.
- Cost and Efficiency – The cost of battery storage systems has dropped significantly, making them more attractive. However, cost-benefit analyses might not always favor adding storage to every PV system, especially for smaller installations or when grid feed-in is preferred.
- Legal and Regulatory Barriers – Legal and regulatory barriers can hinder the full exploitation of battery storage, affecting the financial viability of adding storage to PV systems.
- Retrofitting and Integration Strategies – In some instances, especially in areas with limited grid access, retrofitting batteries onto existing PV systems is common, making this approach financially viable without initially installing storage.
The solar policy in the community, under the Renewable Energy Act (EEG), allows homeowners to receive a feed-in tariff when they feed excess electricity back into the grid, providing a practical option for excess energy and minimizing the need for on-site battery storage for many households.
The employment policy in the industry, particularly in finance and technology sectors, has seen a significant decrease in the cost of battery storage systems, making them more attractive for potential users, although cost-benefit analyses might not always favor adding storage to every PV system, especially for smaller installations or when grid feed-in is preferred.
