Rather than being a fleeting trend, renewable energy is a big part of our journey toward a cleaner, greener world. Everyone has an opinion about it—but not all of them are supported by the facts. Let’s set the record straight on a few things. Here are eleven complete myths about renewable energy and the truth about it all. No matter what your opinion is, you should at least know the facts before you start sharing it!
Featured Image Credit: AndrewLozovyi /Depositphotos.com.
Renewable Energy Can’t Power the World
Some people think that renewable energy can’t handle our massive energy appetite. However, that’s not true as solar energy’s potential is rather high and it has the ability to produce way more energy annually than the entire planet uses. It’s very possible for us to use renewable energy to power the world—as long as we have the technology to do so.
Renewable Energy is Unreliable
Similarly, if you’re worried that wind and solar power are too hit-or-miss, don’t be. Today’s technology allows us to store extra energy for a not-so-sunny day and this makes renewables more reliable than ever. Energy storage & smart grid technologies allow us to keep the lights on round the clock.
Going Green Will Break the Bank
Times have changed & the cost of getting solar & wind energy has plummeted and this makes it cheaper than ever. In fact, the price of solar photovoltaics has fallen by 82% since 2010. Rather than being just for the wealthy and eco-conscious, renewable energy works for anyone looking to save some green while going green.
Solar Panels and Cold Weather Don’t Mix
Despite what you might’ve heard, solar panels work perfectly fine in colder climates. In fact, colder weather may improve their performance and make them even better at turning sunlight into electricity. The idea that you can’t get any electricity from solar power in the winter is completely false.
Wind Turbines Kill Birds
It’s true that wind turbines & wildlife don’t get along—but let’s put things into perspective. The impact on birds and bats is much less compared to other human activity. We’re also far smarter about where we place these turbines and how we can make them safer for our feathered friends.
Too Much Land, Not Enough Energy
Some people imagine that switching to renewable energy would mean a future where solar panels and wind turbines take over every inch of land. However, renewable energy is rather quite land-efficient and especially when you compare it to mining & drilling for fossil fuels. And don’t forget—solar panels work well on rooftops which means they don’t need extra land.
Heavy Industry Can’t Handle the Green
There’s also the idea that heavy industry is too tough for renewable energy. But that’s not true. Innovations in renewable tech have made it possible for these energy-hungry industries to cut their carbon emissions down to size. No industry is too big to benefit from a renewable makeover!
Renewable Energy Means Constant Upgrades
Most renewable energy systems, like solar panels & wind turbines, are set once you install them. As such, it’s wrong to think that once you go green, you’re stuck upgrading your gear to stay efficient. Of course, technology improves over time. But it’s not like you need to swap out your solar panels every year since most of these systems are designed to last for decades.
It’s All or Nothing with Renewables
There’s a myth that to make a difference, we need to switch to 100% renewable energy right away. However, that’s not how this works because every bit helps—we have to take steps in the right direction. Adding solar panels to your home or even just choosing a green energy plan from your utility company can help. The goal is progress instead of perfection.
Renewables Only Work for Electricity
When we talk about renewable energy, a lot of people just think about electricity—yet it also works for heating & cooling systems. Let’s not forget about transportation and electric vehicles! Solar water heaters and geothermal pumps are clear examples of how renewables are able to heat our homes efficiently.
Green Energy Isn’t Really Green
Skeptics argue that renewable energy isn’t truly “green” because of the environmental impact of manufacturing components. While it’s true that manufacturing processes do have an environmental footprint, the overall lifecycle emissions of renewable energy systems cancel these out. They’re far greener than any other option we have and that’s one of the reasons they’re so great.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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