Prodigal Sun? A Guide to Confronting Solar Misinformation

Despite solar energy's position as a rapidly advancing and promising form of renewable energy, it continues to face an onslaught of myths and misinformation.

This is, to put it mildly, a huge problem, as it hinders an energy transition that many experts feel is vital to saving our planet and global infrastructure. But what and who are behind this torrent of anti-solar rhetoric? More importantly, why do these myths refuse to die out alongside the desire for dirty, inefficient energy? 

To answer that question, we may have to look in some pretty high places. 

Because unfortunately, politicians, pundits, and even some people portrayed as energy experts have all done their part to perpetuate some of the biggest solar myths. And when answers come from people who we see as authorities, we tend to lend a lot more weight to them. But while it’s understandable if non-engineers think an increased reliance on alternative energy sources like wind and solar would lead to significant utility shortages, this bad information still needs correcting. 

After all, a widespread failure to properly inform people of how these renewable systems work is already bleeding from public opinion into policy. As a result, we continue to hear Midwestern farmers worrying about not being able to get power on cloudy days rather than their adopting solar as a path to rural self-sufficiency.

So, Why So Much Misinformation? 

First things first, it’s essential to discuss the difference between misinformation and disinformation. While they both involve the spread of false info, they differ in one very specific way: intent. Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information spread without the intent to deceive others. Therefore, those people sharing misinformation typically believe what they’re saying to be true. Disinformation, on the other hand, is false information deliberately spread to manipulate public opinion, influence political situations, or cause confusion. And because of how information works in America, it only takes one person, entity, or “expert” practicing disinformation to create thousands of “minformants.” 

So, while some are quick to cite malignance when it comes to anti-solar rhetoric, people like Aaron Burkhart, the VP of Doman Energy, are less condemning. “I don’t expect everyone to understand solar the same way an engineer might,” he says. “Most of the people out there spreading this misinformation mean well, they’re just working with bad data or have been influenced by people from industries threatened by solar expansion.” 

In most cases, we can trace deliberate disinformation about renewables back to the traditional energy sector. After all, energy is a colossal industry where competition can significantly impact financial outcomes. The way they see it, fossil fuel companies and utilities have a clear financial incentive to hinder solar energy's adoption and maintain their market share. This is not a conspiracy, but simply “business as usual” in the corporate world. 

Students of this phenomenon may remember when Bayer funded a study that suggested an increased risk of adverse events when using a blood thinner from competitor Johnson & Johnson, despite the data not supporting this conclusion. Those who grew up during the Cola Wars may also remember hearing rumors that cans of Pepsi supposedly contained syringes or that a tooth left in a dish of Coca-Cola would dissolve overnight, claims that were eventually traced back to company representatives. 

“Because the renewable transition is so contentious and involves such a large change, even small disinformation attempts can get a lot of traction,” says Burkhart. “The solution isn’t to point fingers or sides, but simply fight bad information with good science.”  

Common Solar Misinformation (and the Truth) 

So, what are some of the most common myths associated with the solar industry? By now, most people have at least heard a few. For instance, many people still claim that solar panels are ineffective in cold or cloudy climates. However, the truth is that solar panels can produce electricity even in cold, cloudy, or foggy conditions, and efficiency can actually increase in cooler temperatures. This debunks the notion that solar technology is only suitable for sunny regions, which has created a huge resistance movement to utility-scale projects in northern U.S. states. While it’s true that extremely northern regions might see reduced solar performance, this has nothing to do with the panels, but with the shorter daylight hours. 

Often accompanying this myth is the assertion that solar panels will be useless at night. But while it’s true that solar panels do not generate power at night, modern solar energy systems can be easily paired with battery storage systems, allowing them to provide a continuous energy supply. “Another one you hear has to do with the amount of maintenance solar panels need,” Burkhart says. “But the truth is that modern solar panels are specifically designed to be low-maintenance. They have no moving parts, and the panels only require occasional inspections to ensure full function.” 

Yet another frequently-heard solar energy myth relates to the manufacturing of the panels themselves. According to some experts, the good solar panels will do for the climate will be far outweighed by the environmental impact of producing them. But while it’s true that manufacturing solar panels does have an environmental impact, the energy payback time is generally less than three years, with panels capable of lasting for upward of 100 years in some cases. Of course, even someone with particularly lackluster math skills couldn’t possibly make the argument that producing solar panels is somehow worse than producing other products, especially considering that the vast majority of their construction is just silicon. 

One particular myth causing problems with solar’s expansion into areas known for traditional energy production, like West Virginia, is the idea that a solar transition will cost too many jobs. However, the truth is that clean energy employment already contributes significantly to both the job market and the economy. Recent figures indicate that renewables currently provide over 415,000 jobs across the United States, with solar farms alone generating substantial tax revenue and land-lease payments. “We have the potential to make solar ‘Americas Energy,’” says Burkhart. “There are already more people working in renewables than fossil fuels. And the best part is that it’s largely a ‘wrench-turning’ space. I can get every coal miner trained on how to install and maintain solar panels in a week. That means safer, more sustainable employment.” 

Coming back to those farmers, another pervasive myth is that solar farms will simply take up too much space, thus reducing the amount of soil available for growing actual food. In some cases, this myth has springboarded into a concern that the presence of solar panels will somehow damage the soil. However, all of this is completely unfounded. The United States EIA predicts that solar farms will only take up 3 million of the available 900 million acres of farmland in the United States by the end of the decade. That’s 0.33% for those of you playing at home. 

As for the soil, solar installation leases typically last 20-25 years, after which the land can be reverted to agricultural uses. Of course, the panels themselves can last 100 years or more with less than 1% degradation per year. Meanwhile, evidence suggests the soil under the panels actually improves due to the resting period. “These rural communities often have the most to gain from solar,” says Burkhart. “Farmers get a valuable cash crop, and the towns enjoy energy independence. More importantly, the industry will contribute billions to these local economies. In many of the rural counties we’ve worked in , solar installations are by far their largest tax item.” 

Finally, there’s the longstanding argument that fossil fuels are simply better and cheaper than solar energy. Even in 2024, with much of the world undergoing a significant energy crisis, this remains a major sticking point for anti-solar arguments. However, this claim also falls apart with minimal scrutiny. For instance, because clean energy sources like solar and energy efficiency technologies don’t rely on fuel, there is actually much more price certainty. This gives those in charge of the grids much more time to adjust to changes in output, unlike conventional power plants that can unexpectedly go offline. Most important of all, solar is now cheaper per kWh than fossil fuels, leaving little in the way of rational resistance.

Of course, there’s still the lingering question of efficiency. Fossil fuel and nuclear plants are often assumed to have much higher efficiency than their renewable counterparts, but they generally average between 33% and 45%. Solar, on the other hand, is averaging 30% to 35% and climbing, while wind can reach efficiency rates of 45% already. And remember that the only byproducts are wind and sunshine. The byproducts of fossil fuel plants are essentially poison to our planet. When put in those words, it’s not hard to see which is superior.

Solar Doesn’t Have to Be Controversial 

Though it sometimes feels like there’s an entire world of opinion separating renewable and traditional energy advocates, the truth is that they have more in common than they think. Ask even the most ardent energy traditionalist will tell you they want reliability, consistency, affordability, and – most importantly – energy independence. The only issue is that they don’t understand how solar, wind, and other energy sources can provide all this and more without the environmental risks. 

By confronting these myths with facts and demonstrating the tangible benefits of solar installations, stakeholders can foster a more realistic understanding of renewable energy's role in shaping a sustainable future. However, as the industry evolves, it’s also critical to persist in these educational efforts and ensure that more people recognize solar energy, not as a mere alternative, but as a cornerstone of global energy solutions.

“Every day, I talk to people who don’t believe in solar the same way I do,” says Burkhart. “After I ask them their main concerns regarding energy and explain how all of those things are even more possible with solar, they instantly start to see where I’m coming from.” In the end, it’s important not to blame the misinformed for the disinformation campaigns that shaped their opinions. With solar, the truth is going to win out because it can back up every single claim.”