Solar attracts more folklore than almost any home upgrade — and a fair bit of it is kept alive by dodgy doorstep sellers. Let's take the five I hear most and put them to rest, one at a time, with no spin.
"They stop working in winter"
Panels actually run slightly more efficiently in the cold. Shorter days, the low winter sun and snow cover reduce output, but temperature itself is on your side, not against you.
"They'll ruin my roof"
A proper MCS install protects the roof underneath and is fully sealed. Many people find their covered roof section ages better, not worse.
"They never pay off"
Most UK systems pay back in roughly 8 to 12 years and then run for another decade-plus of near-free power. The panel warranty alone is usually 25 years.
Sunny says
The myth with a kernel of truth is shade: even a little can hit output hard. That's a design problem for your installer to solve, not a reason to skip solar.
The quick version
- Cold helps; only snow and short days hurt.
- A good MCS install protects your roof.
- Typical UK payback is 8–12 years, then near-free power.