SUNDANCE WAS A SOLAR CHAMPION FROM THE START
Updated September 26th, 2025
By Morgan Pierce
When Robert Redford died on September 16th, it seemed that every star in the galaxy stepped forward to claim a little bit of the man. From Barbra Streisand and Jane Fonda to Demi Moore and Scarlett Johanssen. Even men like James Woods, whose politics would have been poles apart from Redford’s, stepped forward to heap praise on the man and tell tales of their connection.
We’ve got our own Sundance story to tell.
Redford was a solar champion and championed environmental causes long before it became fashionable. Back in 1979, he financed The Solar Film. The short, also known as “A Short Film on Solar Energy” was the creative baby of graphic designer Saul Bass and his wife Elaine. A short take on the history of solar energy, it also provided “a wonderfully animated look at dastardly fossil fuels.”
Though the film was nominated for an Oscar, it didn’t win over everyone’s hearts and minds. When Ronald Reagan took office the year after it’s release, he removed the solar panels that his predecessor Jimmy Carter had installed on the White House roof.
Sometimes change is slow, even for someone as prescient and powerfully motivated as our Bob.
Those “dastardly fossil fuels”, meanwhile, are still causing trouble.
Just before President Trump’s visit to the UK this September he challenged EU member states to stop buying Russian oil and gas, purchases which the President described as bolstering the Kremlins ability to wage war in the Ukraine. And on that point, most EU leaders agree, he’s not wrong.
The problem is that even in 2025, more than half of the EU’s electricity is generated from fossil fuels like oil and gas. It’s a problem for the environment, for the energy security of individual nations, and for the dynamics between states when it comes to imposing sanctions on an aggressor like Putin.
Solar Champion Redford’s vision remains vital to Ireland
Here at home, recent weeks have already brough an array of announcements of energy price hikes. From next month, suppliers like Bord Gáis Energy, SSE Airtricity, and Energia will be increasing prices consumers pay for electricity by between 9.5% and 13.5%.
Among the key drivers of the increase is our continued reliance on fossil fuels to generate that electricity. Ireland doesn’t have a huge supply of its own fuel to generate electricity. We don’t produce any oil at all. And, while Ireland does not rely on Russian gas, over 70% of our gas must be imported from the UK, much of which is in turn imported via Norway.
“In almost all cases,” says Daragh Cassidy, head of communications at the consumer news-site, Bonkers.ie, “countries which have to rely heavily on imports for their fuel, face higher prices.”
Ironically, another major driver of Irish electricity prices is the “grid fees” and “network charges” required to meet the demands of Ireland’s transition to net-zero emissions.
The grid needs billions of euros of investment to accommodate our burgeoning population, proliferating data centres, and the infrastructure to support the increased use of wind and solar power. For now, at any rate, that money is set to come out of consumers’ pockets.
If government gets it right, however, the higher costs we’re paying now will leave us with Grid capable of coping with an ever-greater proportion of electricity generated from renewables. A circular effect that will in turn push down the amount of expensive imported fossil fuels required to keep Ireland, Inc. moving forward.
Reflecting recently on his advocacy of solar power back in the 1970s, solar champion Robert Redford said, “I was too early then, but I firmly believe the moment to build a clean and affordable energy economy has finally arrived.”
Who would want to argue with Bob?
Why Choose Solar In Ireland?
Investing in a solar panel systems in Ireland can bring many benefits, including reduced energy bills, increased energy independence, and a reduced carbon footprint. If you are interested in installing a solar panel system in Ireland, it is also worth exploring the different grant options and green business loans available and seeking professional advice from one of our solar energy advisors.
Feel free to contact us for more information, we’re here to help.
