The Myths of Solar
In the United States there are several myths about solar energy that have been circulated for over 30 years. Unfortunately (for the planet) this cleverly packaged propaganda has become common knowledge.
1. Solar can never seriously compete with nuclear, coal, oil, and gas;
2. Solar energy won’t work where you live because __________.
3. Solar is too expensive and will never be cost effective.
An urban legend is something that is not true but it is commonly held as fact. These myths are urban legends, and they are bold face lies. Since the early days of the solar revolution these myths have been propagated by corporate self-interests.
“The most brilliant propagandist technique will yield no success unless one fundamental principal is born in mind constantly – it must confine itself to a few points and repeat them over and over.” Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi propaganda minister.
The buggy whip industry tried to disseminate propaganda about how dangerous automobiles were (and perhaps they were right). Thomas Edison went on a campaign to publicize how dangerous (AC) Alternating Current (regular house current) electricity was. He did it by shamelessly electrocuting dogs and horses in public to shock and to convince people that his brand of electricity was better. His underlying interest was energy he held patents for, (DC) Direct Current.
In the case of solar energy, corporations, politicians and lobbyists of the nuclear, coal, oil and gas industries worldwide are doing the same thing. In other parts of the world you always see ads on television for solar panels. You never see ads for a solar panel in the United States. This lobby is powerful and well-financed. These “dirty energy interest groups” are better financed and more sophisticated in their tactics than the buggy whip manufacturers ever were.
I design renewable energy systems. I have been doing this all my life. These myths are the principle starting point of every conversation about solar energy I have had for over 4 decades. I’m guessing I have spoken to, in excess of 20,000 people in my lifetime, so this is not a wild claim… almost all the people I have spoken with have bought these myths to a greater or lesser degree.
Even though solar power has drastically fallen in price, these ridiculous bold lies persist and continue to hypnotize the American public. There have been important advances in solar technology, which have made it more viable, more available and more needed today than ever before, yet these lies continue.
Congress is part of the problem. Currently the percentage has gone up from 87% to 93% of Americans who want solar power. Sadly, only 20% of Congress is interested in renewable energy.
