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What are some of the sustainable energy myths that need debunking?

21 September 2023

Sustainable energy solutions are sometimes criticized for being too expensive or ineffective, but in many cases, advances in technology have made them more viable than ever before. We asked renewable energy enthusiasts to counter some of the more common reasons people doubt the feasibility of renewable energy, and here’s what they had to say:

Ryan Farley

Ryan Farley

CEO of .

Solar panels arent effective in rainy climates

One common sustainable energy myth I’ve encountered is that solar panels are generally not worth it, especially in areas with lots of rain, and will never be able to cover household energy needs.

While you might get less output from solar panels in rainy areas, they do still gather energy from low light—and since so much effort is being directed toward developing sustainable energy tech, I would expect more and more efficient panels to become available. And the fact is that even if solar panels aren’t covering your entire energy bill (as I’ve seen them do in plenty of cases), they will still help offset your energy costs to a pretty significant degree.

Josh Snead

Higher costs and more downtime

The biggest myth for sustainable energy is that it’s more expensive than traditional energy. That might have been true in the early 2000s, but it’s not anymore. Prices have significantly dropped, especially after 2010.

The other myth is that solar panels don’t work at night and wind turbines don’t work without wind. Okay, those are partly true, but technology has improved significantly that allows solar energy to be stored in a battery. Wind turbines are also being manufactured with more sensitive wind turbines that allow them to work with even the lightest of breezes.

Miguel Camperos

VP of Operations of .

Sustainable energy minimizes jobs in the energy sector

One of the biggest myths about sustainable energy is that the shift in focus to sustainable energy is minimizing jobs in the energy sector. This simply isn’t true! In fact, there have been many studies that show the sustainable energy industry is actually introducing way more job opportunities.

Isabella Mellwex

CEO of DelishPursuit.

Renewable energy sources are unreliable, sustainable energy is too expensive

One common myth is that renewable energy sources are unreliable. Contrary to this belief, advancements in technology and grid management have made renewables like solar and wind power increasingly dependable. For instance, battery storage solutions have revolutionized the way we store excess energy, ensuring a continuous power supply even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.

Another myth is that transitioning to sustainable energy is too expensive. However, the long-term savings often outweigh the initial investment. By incorporating energy-efficient practices and renewable sources, they reduced operational costs significantly over time, proving that sustainability can be financially viable.

Moreover, there’s a misconception that sustainable energy can’t meet high energy demands. In reality, smart grid technologies and improved energy management systems allow us to match supply with demand effectively. Large corporations are increasingly turning to renewables to power their operations, showcasing the scalability of sustainable energy solutions.

So, debunking these myths requires highlighting real-life success stories, showcasing cost-effectiveness, and emphasizing the technological advancements that make sustainable energy a practical choice. It’s essential to counter these misconceptions with evidence and examples, demonstrating that sustainable energy is not only viable but also beneficial for businesses and the environment.

This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors’ statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.

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