Since I live in sunny Florida, I frequently get asked if I have solar panels installed on my home.
Our house is a perfect candidate for solar, in fact. The home faces east-west with little to no tree obstruction of the west-facing roofline. There are tempting tax credits available for getting solar installed too.
People are typically surprised when I answer with a resounding “NO”.
Not only don’t I have solar panels currently, but I will probably never get them installed no matter how tempting the tax breaks.
Why on earth don’t I consider solar panels as a green energy alternative? I am all about sustainability and preserving the environment, right?
Let me share with you a few very dark truths about solar panels that conventional greenwashers would prefer you not know about!
Solar Panels Destroy Your Roof
Most people realize far too late that solar panels will absolutely destroy your roof over time.
This is true for both tile and shingles. If you have a metal roof (the healthiest home roofing material), you are in the clear, but few people have this type of roof, at least in my community.
Leaves, moss, branches, and other organic debris easily get caught in the few inches of clearance between the solar panels and the roof shingles/tiles. As this stuff slowly decomposes, it destroys the roof underneath into a leaking, rotting mess.
Whatever money you saved in your electricity bill from having solar is pennies compared to getting your roof repaired or replaced.
There are actually businesses in our area that specialize in repairing roof damage from solar panels.
If you don’t have a metal roof, take a hard pass on solar.
China Dominates Solar Industry
The truth is that most solar equipment is manufactured in China. (1)
I am actively working to reduce the number of products I buy that require a belching, ocean destroying tanker to get to me. (2)
In addition, Chinese products are not known for their quality. I am also concerned about the potential from data mining or other types of covert spying equipment installed along with the panels.
One final reason I avoid Chinese made products…the very real potential slave labor is being used during the manufacturing process.
Toxic Chemicals Destroy Environment
I am not at all convinced that solar is the ideal green energy solution to fossil fuels that it is made out to be.
Manufacturing solar panels require the use of numerous noxious chemicals and metals. In addition, solar panels have a lifespan of around 20-30 years, with millions coming to the end of their useful life right now.
But, it’s expensive and difficult to properly dispose of the toxic metals inside the solar cells. Worse, there is a lack of oversight on the process, meaning that illegal dumping in landfills is an attractive, cheap alternative.
Solar panels in landfills leach toxic metals into the soil and water. This creates a public health hazard for surrounding communities a la Erin Brockovich. (3)
Another terrible trend is sending these expired solar panels to developing countries, which are least able to deal with them properly harming the poor and most vulnerable worldwide.
No thanks. I personally have no desire to participate in this type of solar clown show.
Solar on Your Roof Creates Powerful, Health-Robbing EMF Field
The final nail in the coffin against ever getting solar installed on our roof is the health-robbing EMF field the panels create in and around your home. (4)
Most people have no idea about this!!
What’s more, the EMFs from solar panels on your roof are extremely difficult to mitigate.
I encourage you to read this article about solar energy and EMFs.
Oram Miller, BBEC, EMRS, Certified Building BiologyTM Environmental Consultant and Electromagnetic Radiation Specialist has this to say about solar:
My advice to my electrically sensitive clients is that if they don’t already have solar panels and are thinking of installing them, they should reconsider and decide not to do so. I have seen too many people make that decision and then regret it. You can’t easily take a system out once it is installed, especially if you have signed a twenty year lease.
In my opinion, if you are electrically sensitive, don’t take a chance with your health. Avoid solar panels altogether to prevent possibly reacting to them once installed. Save energy and electricity bills other ways.
I would take Mr. Miller’s advice one step further….
Even if you are not currently electrically sensitive, I would suggest avoiding solar anyway. As you get older, have more children, etc., the chances of you developing or having at least one EMF sensitive person in your household is quite high.
It’s just not worth the risk especially since solar typically involves a long term contract.
Why I Say No to Solar
In summary, getting solar to save money and “help the environment” is hype.
In the final analysis, your health can be harmed over the long-term and you will very likely end up paying more from the roof damage than you will ever save in electricity bills.
There are other, safer, more environmentally smart ways to reduce fossil fuel use and help preserve the environment with personal choices.
Here’s the easiest and most effective strategy of all: Buy from locally owned, independent businesses!
References
(1) Why China is Dominating the Solar Industry
(2) Big Polluters. One Massive Container Ship Equals 50 Million Cars
(3) Solar Panel Waste: The Dark Side of Clean Energy
(4) Solar Panels and EMFs
I bought a silent but powerful electric generator from this company and the build quality is excellent. They sell a variety of sizes and some allow you to charge it on portable solar panels or a standard car charger. Research this company also Maxoak are the same firm. I bought mine on Amazon UK but I’m sure you can find them in the US https://poweroak.uk/en/3-powerbanks
Thank you for sharing!
Not knowing any better, we had solar installed on our roof—directly above our bedroom. I believe they were part of a perfect storm of toxins that led to adrenal fatigue, intense depression, sleep deprivation, etc. I am glad that we have since moved.
We own a travel trailer and it is popular to have solar installed on the roof so that campers can spend more time at wild camping without electricity. We’ve been doing research on other ways because I know solar that close in a tiny space is a huge no for me.
Additionally, I was reading today about a company called MPowered that provides solar lanterns to developing communities so that they no longer have to use environmentally unfriendly options like open fires. While fires can certainly be dangerous, I cannot see how solar panels are more environmentally friendly…the reasons you listed echo my thoughts exactly!
Oh my! I had no idea about any of this. Thank you! I was looking for a backup power source for our home. I was looking at solar options (panels on the deck, not mounted to the roof) but I was so indecisive that I bought a gas generator. I am sure that there are problems with those too. Which backup power source do you have at home?
I have a solar oven but it doesn’t use panels … it uses a reflective material that is safe instead.
I think a gas generator is best at this time … hopefully solar generators will be made with safe, truly recyclable materials (and not made in China!) in the years to come.
Unfortunately, I don’t see solar panels on the roof ever being a good idea due to the high EMFs. It’s like having a mini power plant on your roof! At least a solar generator can be placed a safe distance away from the house.
Solar panels are so toxic. I am in the industry. They are NOT green whatsoever. They contain “mined heavy metals”, aluminum, copper indium selenide, hydrogen selenide, silicon tetrachloride – if handled will burn one’s skin off, cadmium telluride, cadmium indium gallium diselenide, hydrochloric acid, mercury, PFOA’s, lead, etc.. If one has MTHFR gene mutations it can be even more of an issue. They leach into the soil and drinking water. Solar panels do not even benefit our country’s economy since they are not made in USA (majority China/India). Once ruined even by a rock, hailstorm or wind – they become a biohazard and there is NO recycling because it is to hazardous and costly to do so. They are filling up India’s landfills in massive piles. They are being pushed by politicians not because they are green but because they have stocks in them and they get royalties and bonuses/lobbyists pay them in their back pocket.
Thanks for commenting! I believe they are also being pushed heavily because China controls the industry and the ability to data mine the homes that have them installed.