Spread by competitors and opponents, persistent disinformation continues
to flood policy discussions and communities. APA responds with facts.
Across the country, incorrect and misleading information about solar energy is flooding communities and infecting the discussions of policymakers. Often spread by competitors or opponents, this information is designed to discourage communities from embracing clean energy investments that will lower costs for ratepayers, benefit landowners hosting projects, and generate tax revenue for their local communities. Once created, these false claims organically find their way into important community and policy discussions.
In most instances, these fabrications take the form of misstatements involving environmental impacts, water use, land use, or other issues. The Advanced Power Alliance works across the country, and has seen the very positive impact that renewable energy investments have on communities. It’s because of this that we are disappointed that false information is being used to discourage families and communities from achieving their economic goals.
To help, we are addressing these false claims with data. This APA Myth vs. Fact report takes on many that were stated during a recent Texas legislative committee hearing:
- Myth: “Panels containing cadmium telluride, and others using lead, pose a threat to the surrounding environment.”
- Myth: “155GW of solar in the ERCOT interconnection queue would use 1.5 million acres, while 220k acres are already used by operational facilities.”
- Myth: “6.5 – 338 billion gallons of water (annually) would be needed to clean panels across over 1.5 million acres.”
- Myth: “Harmful chemicals are used to clean panels, that then leach into the ground below and adjacent waterways.”
- Myth: “Flat, impervious surfaces cause runoff issues.”
Contact APA if you have questions or concerns about any energy resource. We’re always happy to share scientifically-credible, well-researched, and referenced information to help every constituent become an informed energy consumer.