There are still many stubbornly persistent Prejudicesmyths or rumors too against commercial PV systems. Yet they are the most sustainable, cheapest and undisputed energy sources when it comes to renewables. You can find further information on all the prejudices listed here on our website and we would also be happy to convince you in a personal and non-binding discussion.
1. prejudice: PV systems are too expensive and the ROI is not clear!
Wrong: If companies opt for the Purchase of a PV system Today, the return on investment is around 6 - 8 years and returns are in the double-digit range. From day one, the systems produce low-cost solar power on a permanent basis and reduce expensive grid consumption. They also ensure compliance with the legal requirements for CO₂ savings. Large commercial systems in particular are highly efficient, because the larger a solar system is, the lower the investment costs per kWp. Electricity prices have risen and manufacturing costs have fallen. Ten years ago, the price per installed kWp was still around €5,000 or €6,000, but today it is between €800 and €1,200 per kWp for PV systems from 135 kWp, depending on the size and type of system.
If companies opt for a Contracting model even falls to the No own investment to. CUBE CONCEPTS fully finances photovoltaic systems, assumes all tasks and the client assumes no risks or obligations. A company can expect electricity cost savings of up to 30 % without any effort.
2nd preconception: PV systems do not generate any yield in Germany and only make sense if they face south!
Wrong. In principle, PV modules should ideally face south in order to achieve the highest energy yield, but this does not have to be the case. With PV systems on roof surfaces is in Germany a Orientation between southeast and southwest at an azimuth angle of 45° or -45° is also extremely productive and the optimum angle of inclination is around 30-35°. This is possible without any problems with an appropriate elevation. Other solutions also make sense in relation to the roof area and yield. Orientation to the east and west on a flat roof has the advantage that the modules do not shade themselves at any time of year and therefore more modules can be installed on the same area. In the case of solar parks or solar carports, the modules can almost always be optimally aligned anyway.
In addition, modern photovoltaic systems generate up to 60 % of their maximum output even in diffuse light or poor weather. Even with heavy cloud cover and rain, it is usually still 20 % of the nominal output. Even in winter or in the morning and evening hours, PV systems reliably supply cheap solar power.
Another key factor for efficiency is the temperature. The general rule is: The colder, the higher the yield. Solar modules heat up easily even on cold German winter days when the sun is shining and reach temperatures of 20° or more. Despite the low position of the sun, they are often more effective than a comparable system near the equator. The efficiency of monocrystalline solar cells, for example, decreases by 0.4 % per degree Celsius. On hot summer days, when a panel can quickly heat up to 70°, losses of up to 20 % can be recorded.
3. prejudice: PV systems do not have a long service life and lose power quickly!
WrongPV module manufacturers today guarantee a remaining output of after 20 years from 90 % and researchers actually have difficulties proving power losses at all. For example, a study by Fraunhofer ISE showed an annual degradation of the nominal output of approx. 0.15 % and there are PV systems in Germany that are 35 years old and still generate 85 % of the original output. The inverters of a PV system also have an average service life of around ten to 20 years. Some manufacturers offer even longer warranty periods. After the warranty period has expired, the inverter may continue to operate for a few more years, but the likelihood of failures and malfunctions increases over time. Like the PV modules, the inverter should also be regularly maintained and monitored to ensure optimum performance and service life.
4. prejudice: PV systems cause fires and cannot be extinguished!
WrongAn evaluation of the figures by the Fraunhofer ISE revealed that there have been around 120 fires in the last 20 years in which photovoltaic systems could be clearly identified as the cause. With around 2 million PV systems in Germany, this results in a Percentage of 0.006which means that solar systems are more likely to be at the end of the range of electronically induced trips. No wonder, since commercial PV systems are now automatically switched off completely in the event of a fire. Modern systems that are professionally DIN EN, VDE and IEC specifications are already equipped with inverters with hotspot detection, safety fire switches and are constantly monitored. The monitoring systems measure the current temperatures or the current flow, check the optimizers, sound the alarm and regulate everything automatically. The fire departments have also learned and can extinguish PV fires without any problems.
5. prejudice: bureaucratic effort is too high!
Partly correctWhat quickly causes private owners to despair when planning smaller domestic PV systems is usually taken over by the companies commissioned with the construction of large commercial systems, such as CUBE CONCEPTS. Large PV systems in particular, which are common on industrial and commercial roofs, require far more specifications to be observed than private systems. Real photovoltaic experts are required here if the company is unable to deploy an entire team to implement a planned PV system. In addition to complying with all DIN EN, VDE and IEC specifications, grid inquiries and various registrations must be made. There are often agreements with the grid operator, which should take place on an equal footing, and insurance companies may need to be involved. In addition, there are usually tax issues and much more...
Here is a short Overviewhow CUBE CONCEPTS goes about it.
6 Prejudice: The manufacture and disposal of PV systems are harmful to the environment!
WrongWithin 20 years, a solar module generates at least ten times the energy required to manufacture it. However, as PV systems today have a life expectancy of 35 or 40 years, their overall carbon footprint is excellent. Even if solar modules were to be disposed of due to defects or age, they are 90 % of the components recyclable and the remaining 10% are not harmful to the environment. In addition, an entire industry has now developed that deals with the reconditioning of used solar modules.
7 Prejudice: Planning permission is mandatory for PV systems!
Partly correctIn fact, only the construction of Solar parks or Carports with PV modules a classic building permit is required. The authorities are, however, within the Climate Protection Act The authorities are instructed to issue these promptly and unbureaucratically, especially as photovoltaics are already mandatory in some federal states for new large parking lots. CUBE CONCETPS also provides support with the application and the procedure. Photovoltaic systems on Commercial and industrial roofs need in Germany none classical but only a technical Building permit.
8 Prejudice: The maintenance of PV systems is expensive and time-consuming!
WrongCommercial photovoltaic systems are extremely low-maintenance and durable. They clean itself due to the angle of inclination caused by rain and snow. Over a period of 20 years, experience has shown that the maintenance costs amount to maximum 1.5 % of the original investment. As a rule, it is recommended that a PV system should be serviced at least once a year and cleaned every two years, depending on the contamination factors. In addition to the annual maintenance costs, unforeseen repair costs can also occur. These include, for example, damage caused by weather conditions or technical problems with the system components. It is therefore advisable to build up a reserve for unforeseen expenses. A well-maintained PV system generally has a higher output and longer service life, which pays off in the form of higher yields in the long term.
9. prejudice: The installation period for PV systems is long!
WrongAs soon as the order is placed with CUBE CONCEPTS, the components can be delivered promptly and construction can begin no later than eight to twelve weeks after grid approval. This is made possible by an extensive network of solar installers that constantly stocks all the components for a PV system, thus avoiding supply bottlenecks. The duration of the pure construction phase naturally depends on the respective project and is not as easy to calculate for commercial photovoltaic systems as it is for a PV system for a detached house.
The installation of a smaller 120 kWp roof-mounted system is possible on the DC side. possible in as little as six days. The construction time for a solar park with an output of several megawatts (MWp) can be up to several months take. However, larger solar parks with an output of several hundred MWp can take several years, as they are often built in phases and require more extensive infrastructure. This includes, for example, additional power lines or entire transformer silos. The construction time can also be affected by weather conditions and other unforeseen events, such as delays in obtaining further permits.
10. preconception: A PV system and electricity storage system make a company self-sufficient
Partly correct: Of course there are various so-called island or off-grid systemsthat are completely self-sufficient and can operate without mains power. Depending on the application, many of these systems cannot manage without an electricity storage system. This is used to provide PV electricity when the sun is not shining. Self-sufficiency is only possible if the consumers in the company only need as much electricity as the PV system can produce. This is rarely the case and poses particular challenges when planning a PV system, as solar energy is generally regarded as a volatile energy source.
However, most companies generally consume more electricity than their PV system can supply, meaning that at least some of the electricity they need has to be drawn from the public grid. As a rule of thumb On-grid systemsThe more solar power is consumed, the more economical a PV system is. For this reason, precise calculation and dimensioning is essential when planning a photovoltaic system. With energy-intensive companies the available space is often not sufficient to install enough solar modules to cover the entire energy demand.
The completely opposite PV model is the So-called full feed-inHere, companies use their free space with PV systems to feed all the solar power into the public grid. This makes sense in order to comply with legal regulations on CO₂ savings or to benefit from the feed-in tariff. For example, logistics companies can use a PV system on their vehicle halls to reduce their GHG quota or farmers can make profitable use of barren land.