Solar basics 2 min read
12 Solar Energy Myths — and the Reality We See on Site
Do panels stop in winter? Do you always need batteries? Do they die after five years? We bust the most common solar myths with numbers.
GPS Engineering Team
Outdated or wrong information about solar makes some people delay a profitable decision. Here are the myths we hear most from clients, and the reality we see across the hundreds of plants we’ve built.
Key takeaways
- Most myths come from old technology or bad installations.
- Modern panels work for 25+ years with a written performance warranty.
- Batteries are not required to save money.
- Maintenance is simple but necessary.
Myths and facts
1. “Solar is too expensive”
Fact: Panel prices fell dramatically over the last decade and payback in Egypt is now 3–6 years. See 2026 prices.
2. “It doesn’t work in winter or on cloudy days”
Fact: Output is a little lower, and cloudy days are rare in Egypt.
3. “You must have batteries”
Fact: On-grid systems save without batteries through net metering.
4. “Panels die after a few years”
Fact: Performance warranties run 25–30 years, with about 0.4%–0.5% annual degradation.
5. “Heat destroys panels”
Fact: Heat lowers efficiency slightly, but panels are built for high temperatures. Details here.
6. “Maintenance is complicated and costly”
Fact: There are no moving parts; core maintenance is cleaning and simple checks.
7. “Panels make the house hotter”
Fact: They shade the roof and reduce heat entering the top floor.
8. “Panels cause roof leaks”
Fact: Proper installation with non-penetrating ballast prevents this completely.
9. “Solar is only for the rich”
Fact: Financing and instalments exist, and small systems are affordable. See solar financing.
10. “All panels are the same”
Fact: Differences in technology, quality and warranty affect output for decades.
11. “Making panels pollutes more than they save”
Fact: Panels repay the energy used to make them in roughly 1–3 years, then produce clean energy for decades.
12. “Better to wait for prices to drop”
Fact: Every month of waiting means paying a full bill, while electricity prices keep rising.
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GPS engineers have designed and built solar plants across Egypt for 15+ years. Here they share what they learn in the field.
Frequently asked questions
Is solar safe for health?
Yes. Panels emit no harmful emissions or radiation, and the electrical system is safe when installed to standard with proper earthing and protection.
What happens to panels at end of life?
Most materials (glass, aluminium, copper) can be recycled, and the recycling industry is growing worldwide.
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