Addressing Misinformation and Highlighting Real-World Innovations in Renewable Power

In the ever-evolving conversation about renewable energy, it is not uncommon to encounter skepticism and misinformation regarding the capabilities and limitations of wind and solar power. Recently, Mark Thiessen, in an interview on Fox News, asserted that “wind and solar only work when there is wind and sun,” and further claimed, “we do not have the technology to store the energy from wind and solar.” Such statements, when left unaddressed, can significantly undermine the public’s understanding of the progress and potential in renewable energy. This article will systematically debunk these claims, drawing on scientific facts, real-world examples, and technological innovations shaping the energy sector today.

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The Reality of Solar Power: More Than Just Sunlight

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Misconception #1: Solar panels only generate electricity when the sun is shining brightly.

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A pervasive myth about solar power is that it is only effective when bathed in direct sunlight. This misconception, however, is not grounded in the realities of modern photovoltaic technology. While solar panels do indeed produce maximum output under direct sunlight, they are far from idle on cloudy or overcast days. Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels are designed to utilize not just visible sunlight, but also diffuse and indirect light.

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On an overcast day, clouds scatter sunlight, reducing the overall intensity that reaches the earth’s surface. Nonetheless, solar panels are still capable of converting available light into electricity. Modern panels are quite efficient at drawing energy from diffused solar radiation, with studies suggesting that they can still operate at 10–25% of their optimal capacity even during heavy cloud cover. In some cases, the reflection and scattering of light by clouds can even improve output temporarily.

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Notably, countries with less-than-ideal weather conditions—such as Germany and the UK—have made significant strides in solar energy adoption. Germany, known for its often grey skies, has been a global leader in solar power generation for years, proving that solar panels do not require perpetual sunshine to contribute meaningfully to a country’s energy mix.

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The Storage Solution: Batteries and Beyond

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Misconception #2: We lack the technology to store renewable energy effectively.

Perhaps one of the most misleading assertions is the idea that humanity has not yet developed technology to store the electricity generated by wind and solar power. This statement is demonstrably false. The storage of electrical energy is not a futuristic dream; it is a present-day reality, deployed at scales ranging from individual homes to national grids.

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The most well-known form of energy storage is the battery. Lithium-ion batteries, in particular, have revolutionized the energy sector, enabling widespread storage and flexible use of renewable electricity. Companies such as Tesla have been at the forefront of this innovation. Tesla’s Powerwall and Powerpack solutions are designed to store energy generated by solar panels for use when the sun is not shining—be it at night or during cloudy weather. At a larger scale, Tesla’s Megapacks are being installed in grid-level energy storage projects worldwide, helping stabilize power supply and demand.

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But Tesla is far from alone in this field. Numerous companies are advancing battery storage technology, with constant improvements in efficiency, capacity, and cost. Real-world examples abound:

• In California, one of the world’s largest battery storage facilities, the Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility, is capable of storing over 1,200 megawatt-hours of electricity, enough to power hundreds of thousands of homes for several hours.
• In Australia, Hornsdale Power Reserve, powered by Tesla batteries, has delivered exceptional grid stability and rapid response to outages since its installation.

These facilities are not speculative concepts—they are operational and vital components of modern energy infrastructure.

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Pumped Storage: An Established, Reliable System in the UK

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Misconception #3: There are no large-scale methods for storing renewable energy for when demand requires it.

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The assertion that there is no existing technology to store surplus wind and solar energy for times of high demand ignores a tried-and-true technology that has been in use for decades: pumped storage hydroelectricity.

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In the UK, the pumped storage approach is exemplified by the Ffestiniog Pumped Storage Power Station in Wales, a facility that has been operational since the 1960s. The principle is simple yet effective: when there is surplus electricity—often generated from wind and solar farms—this energy is used to pump water from a lower reservoir to an upper one. When electricity demand surges, the water is released back down, passing through turbines and generating power.

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Pumped storage is not a curiosity or a fringe solution. It is a backbone of grid management in several countries, providing rapid, reliable, and flexible energy storage. The UK also hosts other facilities, such as Dinorwig in Snowdonia, often called the “Electric Mountain,” which can deliver 1,728 megawatts of electricity within 16 seconds of demand—a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of this technology.

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Other Innovative Storage Solutions

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Beyond batteries and pumped storage, significant research and deployment are underway in alternative storage technologies:

• Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES): Utilizes surplus electricity to compress air into underground caverns, releasing it to generate electricity when needed.
• Thermal Energy Storage: Stores excess energy as heat, which can later be converted back into electricity or used for heating.
• Flow Batteries: Employs liquid electrolytes in large tanks, offering a scalable and long-duration storage option.

These systems are providing increasing flexibility and reliability to renewable energy grids around the world.

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Media Responsibility and the Real World

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Misinformation about renewable energy not only misleads the public but also risks slowing the adoption of technologies crucial for a sustainable and resilient future. When influential news outlets broadcast statements that are factually incorrect or misleading, they have a responsibility to correct the record. Citizens rely on reputable journalism to provide accurate information about developments that affect us all—energy policy among them.

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In the real world, the landscape of energy is rapidly changing. The costs of wind and solar energy have plummeted over the past decade, making them among the cheapest sources of new electricity generation in many regions. The deployment of energy storage systems—batteries, pumped hydro, and more—is growing at an unprecedented pace, enabling renewables to supply reliable, 24/7 power. Grid operators, utilities, and innovators are working in tandem to ensure that clean energy can meet demand, rain or shine, windy or calm.

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I accept that these systems cannot be used in isolation but in conjunction with other forms of generation, eg nuclear, wave and tidal and gas. But a balance is needed in the interim to help reduce our carbon footprint.

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Conclusion: Facts Over Myths

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To summarize, the claims recently made by Mark Thiessen on Fox News—that wind and solar only work when there is wind and sun, and that we lack storage technology—are simply not supported by evidence. Solar panels generate electricity even in overcast conditions. Battery technology, as well as pumped storage and other systems, are already storing vast amounts of renewable energy, making it available whenever needed.

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It is imperative for media outlets, especially those with wide reach and influence, to present the public with accurate, up-to-date information. Only then can society make informed choices about our energy future. As the world embraces renewables, let us move forward based on facts, not outdated myths or misinformed commentary.

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Reputable news organization, should be required to highlight and correct any misinformation broadcast to its viewers, helping to ensure that public discourse is grounded in reality and scientific fact.

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