I’ve been writing about solar for years and I still hear the same myths repeated at barbecues, on Facebook groups, and occasionally by people who should know better. Time to put them to rest. Again.

Myth 1: Solar panels don’t work in cloudy weather

They produce less, not zero. On an overcast day, my 13.2kW system still generates 15-20 kWh, compared to 55-60 kWh on a clear day. That 15-20 kWh still covers most of my household consumption. Germany has more solar capacity than Australia and gets significantly less sunshine. Clouds are not a deal-breaker.

Myth 2: Solar panels damage your roof

Properly installed panels actually protect the section of roof they cover from UV, rain, and hail. The mounting system should not penetrate tiles in a way that causes leaks if installed by a competent installer. I’ve seen plenty of 10-year-old installations where the roof under the panels is in better condition than the exposed sections.

Myth 3: You need a north-facing roof

North is ideal in Australia, sure. But east-west splits work well too, and can actually be better for self-consumption because they produce across a longer period — morning production from east panels and afternoon from west. My neighbour’s east-west system generates about 85% of what a comparable north-facing system would produce, and his consumption match is actually better.

Myth 4: Solar panels contain toxic chemicals

Modern panels are primarily silicon, glass, and aluminium — all recyclable. The small amount of lead in solder connections is the main environmental concern, and it’s measured in grams per panel. For context, a car battery contains more lead than an entire rooftop solar system. Panel recycling programs are developing, with several Australian facilities now operating.

Myth 5: You’ll never recoup the cost

This was maybe arguable in 2010 when systems cost $15,000+ after rebates. Today, a 6.6kW system installed for $4,000-6,000 out of pocket in most states pays for itself in 3-5 years. After that, it’s essentially free electricity for 20+ more years. Show me another home investment with that kind of return.

Myth 6: Solar technology is improving so fast you should wait

Panel efficiency has improved by about 0.3-0.5% per year recently. That’s meaningful for researchers but negligible for homeowners. Meanwhile, the STC rebate decreases every year, and electricity prices keep rising. Waiting costs you more in lost savings and reduced rebates than you’d gain from marginally better panels.

Myth 7: Batteries don’t make financial sense

This one was true until recently, but it’s changing fast. For households on time-of-use tariffs paying 40+ cents peak and getting 5 cents export, a well-priced battery can pay for itself in 7-9 years. With VPP income, that drops further. The financial case isn’t as strong as solar alone, but it’s getting there.

Myth 8: Solar power is unreliable

The sun rises every single day. It’s literally the most reliable energy source on the planet. If you mean “variable” because of clouds and nighttime, that’s what batteries and grid connection are for. Grid-connected solar with battery backup is more reliable than grid-only power, because you have backup when the grid fails.

Myth 9: Installing solar will increase your home insurance

Most insurers don’t charge more for solar. Some even offer discounts because solar panels can protect roof tiles from hail. You do need to notify your insurer and ensure the system is covered, but a premium increase is uncommon. I checked with three major insurers and none charged extra for my installation.

Myth 10: Solar is only for greenies

This one really gets me. Solar is the single best financial decision most homeowners can make. It’s a guaranteed return on investment in a world of low savings rates and volatile shares. You don’t need to care about the environment to install solar (though it’s nice if you do). You just need to care about paying less for electricity.

The real risks

Since I’ve debunked the myths, let me be honest about the actual risks of solar:

• Choosing a dodgy installer who cuts corners on design and installation
• Oversizing your system without a plan for using or storing the excess
• Ignoring your tariff structure and not maximising self-consumption
• Expecting panels to last forever without any monitoring or maintenance

These are solvable problems, not reasons to avoid solar. Get a good installer, right-size your system, understand your tariff, and monitor your production. That’s it.

Every year I write a version of this article, and every year the myths persist. Maybe 2026 is the year they finally die. Probably not. But I’ll keep trying.