{"id":39935,"date":"2025-09-03T02:39:06","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T02:39:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/39935\/"},"modified":"2025-09-03T02:39:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T02:39:06","slug":"8-lies-about-solar-energy-that-make-fossil-fuels-look-extra-ugly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/39935\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Lies About Solar Energy That Make Fossil Fuels Look Extra Ugly"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The burning of fossil fuels is causing climate change. Fact<\/a>. Not a made up belief. Anyone who denies this has a very odd relationship with the truth.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Another fact is that solar<\/a> energy is clean, renewable, and the technology is improving annually. However fossil fuel fans continue to try and cling to the status quo by spreading lies about solar. Here\u2019s eight of the most frequent anti-solar arguments and why they are just plain wrong.<\/p>\n

1. \u201cSolar Panels Are Inefficient\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0 <\/p>\n

THE CLAIM:<\/strong> Solar panels only convert 17-20%<\/a> of the sunlight that hits them into electricity,so it is hardly worth it, right?<\/p>\n

THE TRUTH:<\/strong> Those figures are being blown away by new advancements in solar panels. Bifacial panels increase efficiency by an additional 30-40%<\/a> , and multi-junction PV cells can increase efficiency by up to 45%. Systems that track the sun are striving for even greater efficiency.Unlike fossil fuels, which have been inefficient and decades, solar technology is developing quickly.\u00a0<\/p>\n

2. \u201cThey\u2019re way too expensive to install\u201d<\/strong> <\/p>\n

THE CLAIM<\/strong>: <\/strong>\u00a0The average U.S. homeowner would have to spend $18,600<\/a> for a 6.5-kiloWatt solar panel system.\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE TRUTH: <\/strong>Cost is influenced by your location, and after construction, solar upkeep is as low as $140-180<\/a>\u00a0 annually. The average system can save $46,000<\/a> over a 25-year period. To further seal the deal, a 30% federal tax credit is available through December 31st, 2025<\/a>. Unlike fossil fuels, which simply keep raising prices for the same filthy product, solar is an investment that pays off \u2013 beautifully.<\/p>\n

3. \u201cSolar takes up too much land and harms ecosystems.\u201d<\/strong> <\/p>\n

THE CLAIM:<\/strong> Big solar farms sprawl across the land, displacing<\/a> wildlife.<\/p>\n

THE TRUTH<\/strong>: This concern applies mainly to utility-scale solar farms, but it is entirely avoided with residential solar and other small-scale installations. Rooftop<\/a> solar panels fit neatly on existing buildings\u2014such as homes, schools, and businesses\u2014without disturbing natural habitats.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Additionally, solar panels can be installed on farm buildings, field edges, parking lots, and other already developed or low-impact areas, minimizing ecosystem disruption. Unlike fossil fuel extraction, which has been destroying habitats for over a century, solar energy can be integrated into our landscapes thoughtfully to protect wildlife and natural ecosystems.<\/p>\n

Solar panels used in farming, a practice known as agrivoltaics,<\/a> provide multiple benefits beyond just energy generation. The panel offers shade that protects plants from heat, reduces water loss, and can even boost yields. They also help capture rainwater, conserve resources, and provide farmers with extra income, all while supporting biodiversity and soil health.<\/p>\n

4. \u201cSolar panels contain dangerous materials\u201d\u00a0<\/strong> <\/p>\n

THE CLAIM:<\/strong> Mining for the minerals that solar panels need to work like lithium, cadmium, gallium, and other materials<\/a> pose environmental and health risks, plus manufacturing panels emit carbon and silicon dust.<\/p>\n

THE TRUTH<\/strong>: While mining minerals like lithium, cadmium, and silicon for solar panels does carry some environmental and health risks, these impacts are manageable<\/a> and minimized through strong regulations, safety standards, and recycling programs currently in place in many states.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In contrast, fossil fuel extraction and use cause ongoing pollution and emissions with far fewer safeguards or recycling solutions. The solar industry continues to improve sustainable mining practices to reduce environmental harm while supporting a cleaner energy future.<\/p>\n

5. \u201cSolar doesn\u2019t work when the sun\u2019s not shining \u2013 it\u2019s intermittent energy!\u201d<\/strong> <\/p>\n

THE CLAIM<\/strong>: Solar is unreliable because weather, the seasons and night time make its energy intermittent!<\/p>\n

THE TRUTH: <\/strong>Er have you heard of something called storage batteries? While solar energy does indeed depend on the sun, advanced battery storage systems store excess power generated during sunny periods, ensuring reliable electricity day and night.\u00a0 These batteries can power homes and businesses for hours or even days during cloudy weather or outages, making solar a steady and resilient energy source.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Plus there is another little thing called\u00a0 grid connection<\/a>. Grid connection means your solar panels are linked to the public power grid so you can draw power when your panels aren\u2019t producing. With net metering, you can even sell extra energy you make with your solar panel \u2013 for credits or cash, and your utility will pay the difference when you need more power.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While the sun may take pauses, your electricity does not, and the \u201calways on\u201d nature of fossil fuels results in an unending flow of ugly pollutants.<\/p>\n

6. \u201cSolar energy benefits from government subsidies that tip the scales in its favor\u201d<\/strong> <\/p>\n

THE CLAIM<\/strong>: Government funding for renewable energy technology, such as solar energy system technology, distorts the energy market and therefore takes away citizens\u2019 freedom to buy from a free market<\/a>.<\/p>\n

THE TRUTH<\/strong>: While the solar industry does benefit from government subsidies\u2014such as the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) that offers a 30% credit on installation costs through the end of 2025\u2014these incentives help offset the high upfront costs and accelerate the transition to clean energy. President Trump has cancelled these incentives however in favor of the fossil fuel industry.<\/p>\n

In 2022, the United States and the European Union provided $760 billion and $310 billion<\/a> respectively in subsidies, to the fossil fuel industry. Even though their pollution is driving climate change. Subsidies for solar and renewables are investments in a sustainable future, that just helped to slightly level the playing field against the entrenched fossil fuel sector that has long benefited from decades of financial and policy support without accountability for environmental costs.<\/p>\n

7. \u201cThe Government has favorites \u2013 not fair \u2013 boo hoo\u201d<\/strong> <\/p>\n

THE CLAIM:<\/strong> It\u2019s unfair to favor one energy source<\/a> over another.<\/p>\n

THE TRUTH:<\/strong> For decades, fossil fuels have received strong support, and their lobbyists have obstructed the advancement of renewable energy.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

In 1975 and 2005<\/a>, the American Petroleum Institute rejected proposals that would have increased clean technology and efficiency.\u00a0 Calling solar \u201cfavored\u201d ignores the reality that the energy playing field has never been level \u2014 and it\u2019s fossil fuels that have been winning by unfair rules and sneaky tactics.\u00a0<\/p>\n

8. \u201cOil companies are investing in clean energy anyways\u201d<\/strong> <\/p>\n

THE CLAIM:<\/strong> Fossil fuel companies are part of the solution<\/a> .<\/p>\n

THE TRUTH<\/strong>:\u00a0 According to a\u00a0 2023 <\/a>\u00a0assessment by the International Energy Agency (IEA), fossil fuel companies invest only about 4% of their capital spending\u2014around $30 billion\u2014in clean energy, which accounts for a very small fraction of the global clean energy investment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Many of the \u201cgreen\u201d programs promoted by oil companies are criticized as greenwashing<\/a>: involving more talk than substantial action. Simply labeling an oil company with a solar or a clean energy logo or over using the color green on the PR \u2013 does not change the fact that the industry\u2019s core investments and profits still heavily depend on fossil fuels. But funding is pouring into solar. Overall, real no- fossil fuel related global clean energy investment reached a record $1.8 trillion in 2023, vastly outpacing fossil fuel spending.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Solar is the Future \u2013 Sorry Fossils!<\/strong> <\/p>\n

The majority of arguments against solar ultimately fall flat when confronted with the facts, and the difference between solar and fossil fuels is clear. Want to take a deeper dive \u2013 read our Explainer- Can The World Run On Sunshine?<\/a><\/p>\n

Fossil fuels leave behind oil spills, poisonous air, and an unaffordable climate bill.\u00a0 They are also messy, finite, and expensive for the environment and our finances. Solar energy is more cost-effective, greener, and always evolving with new technologies and increased efficiency. We have a brighter alternative just above our heads every day, so why continue to pay the ugly price of gas, coal, and oil when the sun won\u2019t be sending us a bill anytime soon?
Solar also does not pollute our air and water, unlike all things fossil fuel.<\/p>\n

To keep America\u2019s water and air clean we need a strong Environmental Protection Agency, but the present administration has other ideas. Read our EPA statement on their latest attacks on clean air and clean water here<\/a>, and\u00a0take action.<\/p>\n

If you care about the environment, and are in the U.S., we need your voice.\u00a0Add your name to our public comments<\/a>\u00a0on the EPA\u2019s intentions to gut the agency\u2019s ability to regulate pollution due to climate change, also known as the Endangerment Finding.<\/p>\n

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author\u2019s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG\u00a0are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at\u00a0[email\u00a0protected]<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0[email\u00a0protected]<\/a>. Want more articles? Follow us on\u00a0substack.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The burning of fossil fuels is causing climate change. Fact. Not a made up belief. Anyone who denies…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":39936,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[269],"tags":[18,440,19,17,961,133,8456],"class_list":{"0":"post-39935","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-environment","8":"tag-eire","9":"tag-environment","10":"tag-ie","11":"tag-ireland","12":"tag-renewable-energy","13":"tag-science","14":"tag-solar-power"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39935","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39935"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39935\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39936"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39935"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39935"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39935"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}