There are definitely some misconceptions "in the wild" when it comes to solar power, but the experts under our roof have worked in solar lighting for several years and can quell those misconceptions. Here are 4 of them we commonly hear and why they are actually far from the truth.

Four Solar Power Misconceptions

Solar Power Doesn't Work Outside of the Sun Belt

You may have heard of the term "Sun Belt" tossed around every now and then. It's used to refer to an area in the United States that gets the most sun and has the hottest climate. It's often characterized as an area with long, hot summers, mild winters, and frequent pool parties. The largest metropolitan areas are located here--Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, and Miami are just a few. Solar power thrives in these areas, but a common misconception is that these solar projects (such as lighting for parks) won't thrive since they don't get much access to the sun. Nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to solar lighting projects. The facts are that plenty of solar installations across the US operate fine, even without constant sunlight. The darkest days in winter provide at least some light to charge up the solar batteries, and even some frigid climates up north have plenty of solar projects that draw power. Even though the sun belt typically thrives on the sun being out more in comparison to the rest of the US, plenty of solar lighting projects are well-equipped to combat the sun's greatest enemy: clouds. Larger panels, heftier batteries, and back-up power sources can help remove worries when a stratus cloud rolls in, blanketing the sky. Lighting for parks, streets, parking lots, pathways, and other public areas can remain on when the sun doesn't. It's just an uncommon fact about solar power that we love to share with others so that the "switch" to solar is a little easier to digest. We're sure many project managers are worried about what happens when the sun doesn't shine, but fret not--that problem has already been solved.

It Doesn't Hold Up to Bad Weather

Mother nature can be unkind, especially to areas that are prone to hurricanes, tornadoes, and torrential downpours. We don't like it when it rains either, trust us. While we can't claim any lighting for parks or public areas are invincible, what we can claim is that several solar lighting projects we've backed have no problems culling power from the sun while exposed in high or low temperatures. Plus, the solar lights are equipped with behemoth light poles. These massive lighting poles can withstand gusts up to 145 miles per hour and have remained resilient in extreme weather--high heat, freezing temperatures, arid or wet environments, you name it. So rest assured that when the weather is a problem, the lights won't be.

Not Worth the Money

We'll admit solar power can be expensive, but what's hidden with traditional power is the additional costs of trenching and wiring. On one of our projects for lighting parks, our customer saved over 20 thousand dollars not having to dig trenches to connect the lights to the main power grid. Plus, the park grounds remained intact! Several factors go into something as simple as lighting, and solar lights help avoid those factors--especially when it comes to the price.

There's Poor Return on Investment

It may have been the case decades ago that the power efficiency for solar lighting projects was far too low in order to justify costs. That's not the case anymore. Solar power technology has developed to a strong point so that every generation has had improved technology and more efficient energy returns. An average panel returns about 30 percent of the light it draws from the sun. With the latest solar technology, the return on investment time span has shrunk from 25 years down to less than 10. We think it's nice not having to spend money on using energy bills, especially if you're the lead for a lighting project. It's counter-intuitive to spend money in order to save it, but the numbers are there--that's the reason why we're in business.

Whether you're in need of lighting for parks, or you're opening a store and need to illuminate your parking lot, or perhaps you're in city planning and have a street that needs to be lit, consider going with a solar lighting project. We've been around the block for several years and have the staff with the know-how to develop something for your needs at the drop of a hat. Take a look at our customer case studies if you so desire, or contact us to learn more. The future of lighting lies in solar, and we're getting better every day at saving money for businesses and cities. Thanks for reading.