Solar Energy Myths: 12 Common Misconceptions Corrected

Solar energy myths are the source that most affects an investment decision: a wrong expectation means both disappointment and the wrong system size. Below we correct, with official and technical sources, the twelve myths most often heard in Antalya. In each item you will first see the common claim and then the facts; dates are given for regulatory topics and rules may change.

Solar energy myths: climate and production

Myth 1: "Antalya has 300 sunny days a year"

This sentence is often repeated, but the Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM) has no such statistic. According to MGM data, about 2,967 hours of sunshine are measured in Antalya a year and about 73 days of rain are seen. Production should be calculated not by "number of sunny days" but by irradiance and sunshine duration. Antalya's irradiance is also about 8 percent higher than the Turkish average, which already shows the region's advantage.

Myth 2: "Panels do not work at all in cloudy weather"

Diffuse light also produces electricity; it is just not as efficient as direct irradiance. Output falls with cloud density but does not drop to zero. In Antalya most rain falls between November and February, and in July and August the average number of rainy days is about 0.5. According to PVGIS, 99 kWh per kWp is produced in January; this shows that the system makes a meaningful contribution in winter months too.

Myth 3: "The hotter the weather, the more the panel produces"

The reason summer production is high is not temperature but irradiance and long days. As temperature rises, panel efficiency falls. By calculation, at 34 °C ambient and 1000 W/m² irradiance the cell reaches about 65 °C; the loss relative to STC is about 12 percent for a TOPCon panel with a −0.30 %/°C coefficient and about 13.6 percent for a PERC panel with −0.34 %/°C. Ventilated mounting helps limit this loss.

Solar energy myths: bills, net metering and sales

Myth 4: "A solar panel brings my bill to zero"

A firm promise of zero is not correct. Items such as consumption in hours when you cannot produce, the distribution fee and taxes may remain on the bill. The result is determined by system size, your consumption hours and how surplus is treated. For a realistic expectation, your last 12 months of consumption must be analysed at the survey.

Myth 5: "Surplus electricity is netted monthly for everyone and hourly for homes"

The fact is this: since 1 May 2026, net metering is hourly for non-residential renewable plants that received their connection approval letter (çağrı mektubu) after 12.05.2019. For plants tied to a residential subscription, net metering stays monthly and the cap on paid surplus generation does not apply. Mixing up the two groups spoils the calculations; because regulation can change, confirm the practice with the distribution company.

Myth 6: "The electricity I feed to the grid is paid at the bill price"

Surplus is valued at the single-rate active electricity energy unit price of the relevant tariff. This amount is lower than the bill unit price, which includes the distribution fee and taxes. So consuming as much as possible of the energy you produce yourself shortens the payback period; details are in our article on selling surplus electricity.

Myth 7: "I can sell the energy I store in a battery to the grid"

No payment is made for energy fed from a battery to the grid. The part of the surplus remaining after net metering that is fed from storage is unpaid; if the amount fed from storage cannot be determined, no surplus payment is made at all. A battery makes sense not for sales but for moving your own consumption into the evening.

Myths about regulation and permits

Myth 8: "The rooftop solar limit is 10 kW"

This limit was raised to 25 kW on 12.03.2022 (EPDK Board Decision 10832). Roof and facade systems up to 25 kW apply through the simplified procedure and the plant cannot exceed the contract power of the consumption facility. Many pieces of content that rely on old information are still circulating online, so check the date.

Myth 9: "No permit is needed for a rooftop solar plant" or "every roof needs a building permit"

Both are incomplete. In planned areas there is a building permit exemption provided that the load-bearing system is not affected and the consent of the condominium owners is obtained; even so, an implementation project, a technical responsibility undertaking (fenni mesuliyet taahhütnamesi) and permission from the authority are needed. The grid application is made separately to the distribution company. For the application steps, see our guide on applying for a rooftop solar plant.

Myth 10: "VAT on solar equipment is 1 percent"

It has no official basis. A 2020 private ruling from the Revenue Administration (GİB) subjects solar energy systems to the general rate, and the general VAT rate has been 20 percent since July 2023. The exemption aimed at organised industrial zones (OSB) and small industrial estates (KSS) does not cover homes. Verify the VAT item in price quotes with your financial adviser.

Myths about warranty and financing

Myth 11: "Panels have a 25-year product warranty"

The warranty period varies by product. For example, the TommaTech 605 W single-glass model has a 15-year product warranty and a 30-year performance warranty; the 25-year product warranty belongs to the double-glass model. Do not confuse the performance warranty with the product warranty, and ask for it in writing in the quote by brand and model.

Myth 12: "There is a zero-interest solar loan from Ziraat"

This statement appears on installers' marketing pages. The official framework is a criteria-based interest discount under Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Communiqué 2024/15, and the programme ends on 31.12.2026; no new decision for 2027 has been confirmed. Learn the current terms from Ziraat Bank.

A small calculation: how different are summer and winter output really?

Let us consider a hypothetical 5 kWp system with PVGIS's monthly values for Antalya. In July 5 × 168 = 840 kWh and in January 5 × 99 = 495 kWh of production are expected; the annual total is 5 × 1,656 = 8,280 kWh. So even the lowest month produces about 59 percent of the highest month. This calculation refutes the claim that "panels do not work in winter", but it is also true that winter output is low and must be taken into account in sizing. On a real roof, tilt, orientation and shade change these values.

Why do these myths spread?

Most myths come from three sources. The first is outdated regulation: rules such as the 10 kW limit or the annual consumption condition were valid years ago and have changed. The second is marketing language: phrases such as "zero interest", "1 percent VAT" or "your bill goes to zero" catch attention but do not match the official text. The third is observation error: high output on hot days gives the impression that heat is helpful, whereas the real factor is irradiance. To see in detail how Antalya's climate data affects panel performance, you can read our article on Antalya's climate and panel performance.

How do you check whether a piece of information is correct?

1. Look at the date: Which year does the regulatory information belong to? Texts from before 2026 do not include changes such as hourly net metering and the new generation cap.
2. Look for the source: If the Official Gazette, EPDK, MGM or a manufacturer datasheet is not cited, treat the figure as unverified.
3. Question the scope: Does the rule belong to residences, industry or agricultural irrigation? This distinction often changes the result completely.
4. Ask for it in writing: If a company makes you a verbal promise, ask to see the same thing written in the quote.

These four steps let you rule out almost every item on the list of solar energy myths in advance. Especially for regulatory claims, being sceptical of claims that give no Official Gazette date or regulation article number saves both time and money.

Summary table: myth and fact side by side

Conclusion

Solar energy myths mostly rest on outdated regulation, exaggerated marketing language or a seasonal observation. When deciding, it is enough to look at the date of the source, the official text and the manufacturer datasheet. If you want a sound estimate for your own roof, you can start with our calculation tool and make it concrete in a free survey.

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