SHINING A LIGHT ON SOLAR MYTHS
Updated June 26th, 2026
“Whataboutism”
We’re all familiar with the term. Whataboutism is tactic whereby a person responds to an accusation by making a counter-accusation or raising a completely different topic. It’s a useful way to avoid accountability, shift focus, and create false equivalences.
It’s certainly a tactic that environmental activists have encountered time and again. A classic example here in Ireland would be the comment “Our carbon footprint is microscopic compared to China or India. No matter what we do here, it will have no impact at all until those countries change.”
Putting the moral question aside – the temptation to do nothing until others do more – the argument doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. As this humorous take on the phenomenon makes clear, some small developed countries have much higher per capita emissions than larger less developed ones. Where that is the case, those smaller nations have an obligation to bring their emissions down to at least the global average.
Sometimes a “Whatabouter” will enforce their argument by repeating a myth about climate change, global warming or renewables. Those who have the facts and figures, knowledge and expertise, to combat those arguments need to do so. In Ireland, some have suggested, our media has too often claimed to air contrarian views on climate science in the interest of “fairness”, or “telling both sides of the story”. In reality, the reason is actually that cranks and pseudoscience draw viewers and readers.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly used whataboutism to denigrate renewable energy. Trump routinely dismisses wind and solar as “scams” or “hoaxes”. Trump often pivots to arguing that wind and solar are intermittent, unreliable, and visually unappealing – wind and solar myths. He has frequently claimed that countries like China sell wind turbines and solar technology to “stupid people” but do not actually use the technology themselves.
Busting Solar Myths
In spite of the noise made by the Whatabout tribe, their arguments are not supported by facts. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) – an Abu Dhabi-based intergovernmental body consistently busts wind and solar myths and has pointed out the plummeting costs and soaring efficiency of clean energy sources, such as solar and wind power.
Solar costs have fallen by 90% in the last decade, onshore wind by 70%, and batteries by more than 90%. Over four decades, solar power has gone from being one of the most expensive electricity sources to the cheapest in many countries.
To keep the naysayers and solar myths in check, every once in a while, we like to blow through a few of their nonsense arguments and put the world to rights.
*There are still some people out there trying to argue that solar panels “are bad for the environment”. Thirty years ago, it might have been true that it took more energy to produce a solar panel than that panel was able to produce in its life time. Panels made in 2026, though, are built to last for up to 25 years – and the environmental “pay back” time has fallen to between 2-5 years. Most of the components of modern solar systems, moreover, are recyclable.
*Then there is the argument that its too expensive to switch to solar. Anyone trying to make that case has clearly not seen the price of energy generated from fossil fuels lately. Nor do they understand the long-term economic cost of our collective failure to switch to renewables.
A reputable qualified installer won’t sell you more than you require to fill your needs. At SolarSmart we offer a free consultation and guidance on what’s best for you with one of our advisers. The Irish government offers generous incentives for solar energy, such as the Solar Electricity PV Grant worth up to €1,800.
* Then there is the predictable comment about the Irish weather. Solar panels absorb both direct and indirect sunlight, so they do produce electricity on cloudy days. Even on days with heavy cloud cover, solar panels can produce up to 25% of the power they generate in bright sunlight. Ireland gets between 1,400-1,700 hours of sunlight per year. That equates to 5 or 6 hours a day over most of the country – more than adequate.
The Whatabouters may be loud, but polling by the climate action campaign, 350.org shows that around the world, the majority of people now
“support investing in solar and wind energy, taxing excessive fossil fuel profits, reducing dependence on oil and gas, and treating energy as a public good rather than a source of corporate profit….The message is clear. People want energy systems that are cleaner, fairer, more stable, and more affordable.”
Find out the facts. We think you’ll want to make the switch to low-cost sustainable solar. No ifs, ands, or buts.
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.
