5 Bizarre Solar Panel Conspiracy Theories – Debunked
Written by
Michael Malone
Last edited
19/09/2024
Over 100,000 households in Ireland have now adopted solar energy, marking a significant milestone following a solar boom over the past year.
Government incentives such as grants of up to €2,100 and tax reductions have made solar energy much more accessible to homeowners.
Media coverage and energy efficiency websites have been actively promoting these incentives, while academics and other advocates of solar energy have worked to dispel myths like solar panels don’t work on cloudy days.
This effort seems to be paying off. The increase in both residential and utility-scale solar PV projects has boosted the country’s solar capacity to 1.185 GW, and Ireland will soon surpass the UK in capacity per capita for the first time.
However, this positive shift in solar energy adoption doesn’t tell the whole story about solar PV in Ireland, as posters are being erected with anti-solar messages in local communities where solar farms are planned.
These posters, which gained attention on an RTÉ One Prime Time programme in August, are spreading misinformation about solar (or perhaps disinformation to create a sense of fear).
Examples of the anti-solar rhetoric include slogans like: “Protect Water, Schools, Environment,” “Say No to Solar – Keep Our Children Safe!” and “Health Before Wealth.”
While these messages might appear benign, they risk undermining the progress of utility-scale solar projects and potentially having an effect on Ireland’s climate goals.
When there is uncertainty and change, conspiracy theories can emerge and flourish. It’s therefore crucial that solar developers address concerns directly from the outset to reassure people.
Five Bizarre Solar Panel Conspiracy Theories
1. Solar Panels Pose Health Risks
Posters in Ireland are claiming solar panels somehow harm people’s health. Some theories suggest that PV panels produce dangerous radiation or release toxic substances, leading to health problems. This fear may have its roots in other beliefs such as the famous 5G conspiracy theory. In reality, solar panels are totally safe, with strict regulations ensuring that their materials pose no health hazards.
2. Solar Panels Contribute to Global Warming
This theory suggests that solar panels could actually be worsening climate change due to the materials used in their construction or by altering the Earth’s reflectivity. However, the truth is that solar panels are one of the most environmentally friendly energy sources, helping to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change.
3. Government Surveillance via Solar Panels
Some conspiracy theorists claim that Big Brother is watching us through solar panels. They believe that the energy grid linked to solar panels could be used to spy on or manipulate the population. This idea merges general paranoid fears of surveillance with misconceptions about solar energy.
4. Solar Panels are a Deliberate Distraction
One of the more creative conspiracy theories suggests that solar panels are being promoted by the fossil fuel industry as a way to divert attention from more effective renewable energy options – almost like the (actually true) conspiracy that big tobacco promotes vaping to keep people addicted to nicotine. The theory suggests that solar panels are inefficient on purpose, allowing the fossil fuel industry to maintain its dominance.
5. Solar Panels Deplete the Sun’s Energy
From the creative to the downright ridiculous, some have falsely claimed that solar panels have the potential to reduce the sun’s energy. This myth is based on a misunderstanding of solar technology. In reality, solar panels simply convert sunlight into electricity and do not deplete the sun’s energy.
Author:
Michael Malone
SOLAR ENERGY EDITOR
Michael Malone is Solar Energy Editor at Energy Efficiency Ireland. He is committed to highlighting the benefits of solar PV for people across the island of Ireland, and is eager to clear up some misconceptions which linger among the Irish public regarding solar energy.
Author:
Michael Malone
Solar Energy Editor
Michael Malone is Solar Energy Editor at Energy Efficiency Ireland. He is committed to highlighting the benefits of solar PV for people across the island of Ireland, and is eager to clear up some misconceptions which linger among the Irish public regarding solar energy.
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5 Bizarre Solar Panel Conspiracy Theories – Debunked
Written by
Michael Malone
Last edited
19/09/2024
Over 100,000 households in Ireland have now adopted solar energy, marking a significant milestone following a solar boom over the past year.
Government incentives such as grants of up to €2,100 and tax reductions have made solar energy much more accessible to homeowners.
Media coverage and energy efficiency websites have been actively promoting these incentives, while academics and other advocates of solar energy have worked to dispel myths like solar panels don’t work on cloudy days.
This effort seems to be paying off. The increase in both residential and utility-scale solar PV projects has boosted the country’s solar capacity to 1.185 GW, and Ireland will soon surpass the UK in capacity per capita for the first time.
However, this positive shift in solar energy adoption doesn’t tell the whole story about solar PV in Ireland, as posters are being erected with anti-solar messages in local communities where solar farms are planned.
These posters, which gained attention on an RTÉ One Prime Time programme in August, are spreading misinformation about solar (or perhaps disinformation to create a sense of fear).
Examples of the anti-solar rhetoric include slogans like: “Protect Water, Schools, Environment,” “Say No to Solar – Keep Our Children Safe!” and “Health Before Wealth.”
While these messages might appear benign, they risk undermining the progress of utility-scale solar projects and potentially having an effect on Ireland’s climate goals.
When there is uncertainty and change, conspiracy theories can emerge and flourish. It’s therefore crucial that solar developers address concerns directly from the outset to reassure people.
Five Bizarre Solar Panel Conspiracy Theories
1. Solar Panels Pose Health Risks
Posters in Ireland are claiming solar panels somehow harm people’s health. Some theories suggest that PV panels produce dangerous radiation or release toxic substances, leading to health problems. This fear may have its roots in other beliefs such as the famous 5G conspiracy theory. In reality, solar panels are totally safe, with strict regulations ensuring that their materials pose no health hazards.
2. Solar Panels Contribute to Global Warming
This theory suggests that solar panels could actually be worsening climate change due to the materials used in their construction or by altering the Earth’s reflectivity. However, the truth is that solar panels are one of the most environmentally friendly energy sources, helping to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change.
3. Government Surveillance via Solar Panels
Some conspiracy theorists claim that Big Brother is watching us through solar panels. They believe that the energy grid linked to solar panels could be used to spy on or manipulate the population. This idea merges general paranoid fears of surveillance with misconceptions about solar energy.
4. Solar Panels are a Deliberate Distraction
One of the more creative conspiracy theories suggests that solar panels are being promoted by the fossil fuel industry as a way to divert attention from more effective renewable energy options – almost like the (actually true) conspiracy that big tobacco promotes vaping to keep people addicted to nicotine. The theory suggests that solar panels are inefficient on purpose, allowing the fossil fuel industry to maintain its dominance.
5. Solar Panels Deplete the Sun’s Energy
From the creative to the downright ridiculous, some have falsely claimed that solar panels have the potential to reduce the sun’s energy. This myth is based on a misunderstanding of solar technology. In reality, solar panels simply convert sunlight into electricity and do not deplete the sun’s energy.
Author:
Michael Malone
SOLAR ENERGY EDITOR
Michael Malone is Solar Energy Editor at Energy Efficiency Ireland. He is committed to highlighting the benefits of solar PV for people across the island of Ireland, and is eager to clear up some misconceptions which linger among the Irish public regarding solar energy.
Author:
Michael Malone
Solar Energy Editor
Michael Malone is Solar Energy Editor at Energy Efficiency Ireland. He is committed to highlighting the benefits of solar PV for people across the island of Ireland, and is eager to clear up some misconceptions which linger among the Irish public regarding solar energy.
