Solar attracts more myths than almost any home upgrade. Some of it's kept alive by dodgy doorstep sellers. Here are the five I hear most, put to rest one at a time, with no spin.
"They stop working in winter"
Panels actually run a little better in the cold. Shorter days, low winter sun, and snow cover cut output, but temperature itself works in your favour, not against you.
"They'll ruin my roof"
A proper MCS install seals the roof underneath and protects it. Many people find the covered section of their roof ages better than the rest, not worse.
"They never pay off"
Most UK systems pay back in roughly 8 to 12 years. After that, they keep running for another decade or more of near-free power. The panel warranty alone is usually 25 years.
Sunny says
The one myth with a grain of truth is shade. Even a little shade can hit output hard. That's a design problem for your installer to solve, not a reason to skip solar.
The quick version
- Cold actually helps; only snow and short days hurt output.
- A good MCS install protects your roof, not harms it.
- Typical UK payback is 8–12 years, then near-free power.