Renewable Energy Myths and Half-Truths
The renewable energy world abounds with myths and half-truths, originating from both those willing to find any excuse to dismiss the technology and those who promote it with an enthusiasm-- or a vested interest-- that clouds their judgement. This page will debunk some of those myths and half-truths; revisit soon to get the straight goods on the following.
- Myth: Wind turbines are noisy.
- Myth: It takes more energy to fabricate a photovoltaic module than it will generate in its lifetime.
- Half-truth: Photovoltaic technology is not cost-effective.
- Half-truth: Photovoltaic technology is cost-effective.
- Myth: Canadian winters preclude the use of solar energy in Canada.
- Myth: During the frigid depths of winter, solar energy doesn't work.
- Half-truth: Renewable energy technologies would not survive without government subsidies.
- Half-truth: Wind turbines kill birds.
- Half-truth: Wind turbines are ugly.
- Myth: Wind turbines and solar systems provide only intermittent power, so they are not useful on-grid, since they need large, expensive storage systems.
- Half-truth: Photovoltaic modules are too inefficient.