Deciphering the Misconceptions Impacting the Future of Solar Energy
In the midst of the climate crisis, solar energy emerges as one of the most promising solutions to reduce emissions and ensure a sustainable future. However, its progress is overshadowed by myths that sow doubts and hinder investment. Is it really expensive, unreliable, or harmful to nature? Analyzing these false beliefs is essential to understand its true potential and to advocate for a fair and resilient energy model.
The myth of unreliability
It is often said that solar energy only works when the sun is shining, making it useless on cloudy days or at night. The reality is different: its generation is perfectly predictable, and battery storage allows it to be used even when the sun is not present.
Costs in free fall
Another recurring myth claims that solar energy is expensive. In reality, the cost of photovoltaic panels has fallen by more than 90% since 2010. Nowadays, in many countries, it is cheaper than generating energy with coal or gas. It is a technological leap comparable to that of mobile phones, which went from luxury to necessity.
Carbon footprint and waste
Some argue that manufacturing panels emits more CO₂ than is saved by their use. Nothing could be further from the truth: they recover their footprint in a few months and then save tons of emissions. As for waste, panels generate much less, and there are already recycling plans to reuse valuable materials such as silicon or aluminum.
