Solar isn’t perfect – here are some disadvantages of off grid solar system to keep in mind when considering installing solar panels:

Solar doesn’t work for every roof type

Solar isn’t ideal if you’re about to move

Low electricity costs = low savings

Upfront costs can be high

Solar panels don’t work at night

Solar panels sometimes contain toxic metals

Finding the right installer can be a challenging process

Solar panels don’t work for every type of roof

Rooftop solar panels are installed by connecting a mounting system (also known as “racking”) to your roof. Certain roofing materials used in older or historical homes, such as slate or cedar tiles, can be difficult for solar installers to work with, creating a roadblock for solar power. Additionally, many homes and apartment buildings have skylights or other rooftop additions like roof decks that can make the solar installation process difficult or costly. Fortunately, in the long run, this challenge shouldn’t be a barrier to the mass adoption of solar power in the U.S. If your home doesn’t qualify for a rooftop solar installation, you still have options: you can still go solar by installing ground-mounted solar panels or subscribing to a local community solar farm.

Solar isn’t ideal if you’re about to move

Solar is a great financial investment, but it can take some time to reach the break-even point: the average solar panel payback period in the U.S. is around eight to nine years. For a young homeowner who may be moving in the coming years, putting solar panels on their roof might feel like an unworthy investment. But, as we previously discussed, solar can actually improve your property value and increase your return when you do sell your home. A solar panel system warranty is often transferable depending on the company, so the new homeowners will be able to take advantage of the warranty that came with the panels that you installed. So, as long as you plan to buy your system with a cash purchase or loan, this disadvantage of solar energy can be easily avoided.

If your electricity costs are low, so are your solar savings

The ultimate benefit of solar energy is that it will reduce your use of utility-provided electricity and save you money every month as a result. However, that condition assumes a homeowner has sizable electric bills to begin with. For a homeowner in a state like Louisiana where the cost of electricity is often 25 percent lower than the national average, installing a solar panel system isn’t nearly as attractive as it is to a Hawaii homeowner who pays more than double the average electric rate.

If you can’t access solar financing, up-front solar costs can be intimidating

There’s a nationwide debate going on about how much homeowners have to pay out-of-pocket for solar. The total out-of-pocket price tag for a solar panel system depends on tax credits, rebates, and the financing option you choose. Though you can easily get a figure for the average cost of solar in your state or even a personalized estimate for your home, the simple answer is that the up-front cost of solar is sizable if you don’t qualify for a zero-down solar loan. The disadvantage of solar energy here is clear: not everyone has the cash on hand to make an investment of this size with an up-front payment. However, there are a number of solar financing options to help you avoid this solar con such as state-backed loan programs, leases, and power purchase agreements.

Solar panels don’t work at night

Solar panels require light in order to absorb energy from the sun. Solar panels require light in order to absorb energy from the sun, meaning they don’t work at night. However, by pairing your solar energy system with energy storage, you can use excess energy generated by your solar panels during the day and stored in your solar batteries even if there’s no sunlight. If you live in a state with net metering, the excess energy that’s generated will be sold back to the grid for credits on your electric bill.

Solar panels are sometimes made with toxic materials

Solar panels are made of monocrystalline, polycrystalline or thin film silicon. However, they can also contain toxic heavy metals like lead and cadmium, depending on the brand and model. This means that most old solar panels are considered hazardous waste by the EPA and need to be disposed of properly. It’s important to note that the use of these materials is declining as solar panel technology continues to evolve and improve.

Finding quality, local solar installers and easily comparing quotes can be difficult

Unfortunately, many homeowners associate home solar with pushy door-to-door solar sales reps that pressure consumers to sign a 20-year solar contract before they explain the full scope of the offer or the credibility of the solar company. Solar is one of the fastest growing markets in the world, and there are plenty of companies that are deploying aggressive sales tactics to get their fair share of the market. As a result, for many people, shopping for solar can be a stressful and confusing scenario. Luckily, there are easier ways to shop for solar that puts the homeowner in control: the EnergySage Marketplace is a 100 percent online comparison-shopping platform that allows you to compare solar quotes from top pre-screened installers in your area.