As the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act take hold and advocates across the country push for a clean energy future, Wisconsin is seeing a surge in proposals for new solar and wind farms. At the same time, programs to help families install rooftop solar and improve energy efficiency are expanding. While the Trump Administration doubles down on fossil fuels, clean energy is gaining ground.
For many communities, large-scale clean energy projects are new, and with that novelty comes a wave of misinformation. Here are ten of the most common myths we hear when solar farms are proposed, and the facts that set the record straight.
- It will destroy farmland and hurt local agriculture.
Reality: Many solar farms use “agrivoltaics,” allowing crops or grazing animals to share the space. Panels can even improve soil moisture and reduce wind erosion by providing shelter from the sun and wind. The added income of leasing some land for clean energy can also help farmers. Some farmers say the income generated by leasing their land is what has allowed them to stay on their property.
- It will kill wildlife or drive them away.
Reality: Solar farms can be designed with native vegetation, pollinator habitats, and wildlife-friendly fencing to increase biodiversity. Clean energy in the wrong place indeed can harm wildlife; that’s why it’s important to get the siting right. The answer to clean energy isn’t “no;” it’s finding the right places for it.
- It will create dangerous heat islands.
Reality: The ‘heat island’ effect from solar farms is minimal compared to urban pavement and rooftops. It can also be offset with vegetation. It’s also important to remember that without going to clean energy, the warming of the planet will get worse, and the number of heat islands will grow.
- It won’t benefit local residents.
Reality: Solar projects often generate tax revenue, lease payments for landowners, local construction jobs, plus clean power for the regional grid. The benefits of clean energy (reduced fossil fuel emissions, cost efficiency, etc) also benefit all rate-payers of the local utility, including the local residents.
- Solar farms will take away all our open space.
Reality: Even a large solar array covers a fraction of local land, and the siting often uses less-productive fields, brownfields, or land near transmission lines. Other times, these farms are located on land where the owner is looking to sell; if it doesn’t become a solar farm, that doesn’t mean that it will continue to be open space.
- Solar panels are toxic and will leak into the soil.
Reality: Modern solar panels are mostly made of glass, aluminum, and silicon. They are sealed, non-toxic, and designed to withstand decades of outdoor use without leaching harmful materials.
- It will create too much noise.
Reality: Solar panels are silent. The only sound comes from inverters or small fans, which are quiet enough to be drowned out by normal background noise.
- It’s ugly and will ruin the view.
Reality: This isn’t a myth or a fact–aesthetics are subjective. What one finds ugly, others find attractive. Many don’t like the look of muddy cornfields in February either. If, however, a community decides it doesn’t like the way a solar farm looks, there are things that could be done. Many communities use setbacks, landscaping or natural screening to blend solar farms into the environment.
- We’ll be stuck with an abandoned mess when it stops working.
Reality: Decommissioning plans are usually part of permitting and it’s something we should all work to ensure is part of the requirements for solar farm operators. Panels and materials can be recycled or repurposed, and the land can return to its prior use.
- We should prioritize solar on roofs instead of open spaces
Reality: The answer isn’t one or the other, it’s both! Combining widespread rooftop solar and large-scale solar farms are necessary to meet our climate goals and fully decarbonize our energy systems in Wisconsin.
The reality is that no form of energy is without trade-offs, but energy is essential to our lives, especially as climate change drives deadly heat waves, wildfire smoke, flooding, and other extreme events. That’s why we must first maximize energy efficiency and conservation to reduce the amount of energy we need. At the same time, we should carefully evaluate solar, wind, and battery projects to ensure they are responsibly sited and deliver the greatest benefits with the least harm. Even with these trade-offs, clean energy is far superior and necessary, compared to fossil fuels.
When comparing clean energy to fossil fuels, here are the top 5 benefits:
- Clean energy is good for the climate.
Clean energy, such as solar and wind, emit little to no greenhouse gases compared to fossil fuels. Since, according to the UN, fossil fuels account for over 75 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 percent of all CO₂ emissions, clean energy is essential for reducing climate-warming pollution and limiting global temperature rise. - Clean energy is good for the environment.
Clean energy reduces air and water pollution, conserves water resources, and avoids the habitat destruction associated with fossil fuel extraction, making it one of the most effective tools for protecting ecosystems and biodiversity. - Clean energy is good for our health.
According to Healthy Climate Wisconsin, 100% in-state clean energy production would prevent the following incidents of illness in Wisconsin each year:- 1,910 premature deaths
- 650 respiratory ER visits
- 34,400 cases of asthma exacerbation
- 670 hospital admissions
- 650 heart attacks.
- Clean energy is good for our pocketbooks.
New wind and solar projects are now the cheapest sources of electricity in most of the world, often costing less than continuing to operate existing coal or gas plants. The International Renewable Energy Agency found that in 2022, 86% of newly commissioned renewable capacity had lower costs than fossil fuels. - Clean energy is good for Wisconsin jobs.
The Clean Jobs Midwest report found that Wisconsin’s clean energy sector employed over 72,000 workers in 2023, outpacing fossil fuel jobs more than 4-to-1. Additional studies have shown that clean energy produces a larger number of jobs per megawatt hour of energy than fossil fuels.
What does this mean? Our work is cut out for us. We need to continue to advocate to shut down Wisconsin’s remaining coal plants, stop the rush to replace those plants with gas and other fossil fuels, and educate about the benefits of clean energy. If you’re interested in helping us as we work to decarbonize the electricity sector, contact Cassie Steiner at cassandra.steiner@sierraclub.org.
The Beyond Coal Team meets monthly to identify ways to move our work forward by submitting public comments, hosting events, writing materials (like this article!), and more. We hope you can join us!