There are dozens of misconceptions about solar power that float around the public, spreading like gospel as if they’re tested facts.

Dave Llorens, CEO of One Block off the Grid, helped Clean Energy Authority bust a handful of those myths.

“There are a bunch,” Llorens said. “It seems like people all have the same questions and the same wrong ideas.”

Llorens identifies and busts five of the biggest myths about solar energy.

Myth 1: Solar would never work in a place like Seattle where it’s always overcast.

Busted: Sure, panels won’t produce as much energy in cloudy weather as they would with direct sun, but one benefit to lots of overcast days is that the temperature is usually cooler. And solar panels function more efficiently at lower temperatures.

Germany, where the climate is similar to Seattle’s with plenty of dreary and short days, leads the world in solar development.

“What really matters is what you’re competing with,” Llorens said. “And it’s usually grid power.”

That means the more expensive and less efficient and area’s existing electric grid is, the more advantageous solar becomes.

Myth 2: Solar panels are those ugly looking purple things people got into in the 1970s.

Busted: Solar panels can actually be really attractive today. Some are all black, sleek and stylish.

“They can be really pretty,” Llorens said. “Some of them look just like skylights.”

There are even companies making solar shingles that blend right in with the contours of the roof.

Myth 3: When the power goes out, my solar installations will continue to power my house

Busted: Grid-tied solar installations shut down when the power goes out because it’s not safe to keep pushing power onto the lines when someone may be working on them.

“People are usually pretty disappointed for about a minute when they find that out,” Llorens said. “But then I ask them how often their power goes out.”

He said people who want back-up power can invest in a battery generator charged with their solar power generation.

Myth 4: Solar is super complicated to install

Busted: Panels are mounted to the roof, which should be done by a professional unless you’re comfortable doing work on your roof yourself. It doesn’t take long—just a day in most cases. Then it’s connected to the grid through an inverter and tied to your meter. It’s simple.

Myth 5: Buying a system is complicated

Busted: This is a pretty common one, especially because there are so many rebates and tax incentives for solar that factor into the pricing, and people often expect to have to get loans to pay for installations.

But, it’s actually much simpler than people think, Llorens said.

“With One Block off the Grid, in a day, you can go from having never considered solar in your life to having a custom-tailored residential solar system, fully priced out that you can either buy that day or lease,” he said.

A lot of people don’t realize that they can lease a solar system, and realize immediate cost savings without putting any money at all down, Llorens said.

There are a lot of myths out there that might keep people from asking about solar. But Llorens said most of the reasons against going solar are bust.