Skip to content
LIVE · Grid Watch
US Solar Capacity219 GW+17% YoY
US Wind Capacity153 GW+4% YoY
Residential ITC (Sec. 25D)Expired12/31/2025
Global Renewables Share30.8%+1.6pp YoY
US Grid Carbon368 g/kWh-3.1% YoY
100% Renewable Countries7ALB BTN ETH ISL NPL PRY COD
US Solar Capacity219 GW+17% YoY
US Wind Capacity153 GW+4% YoY
Residential ITC (Sec. 25D)Expired12/31/2025
Global Renewables Share30.8%+1.6pp YoY
US Grid Carbon368 g/kWh-3.1% YoY
100% Renewable Countries7ALB BTN ETH ISL NPL PRY COD
GridBasics
Energy, made simple
← Myth EngineTopic · solar
Verdict · False

"Solar panels don't work in cloudy or cold states."

The Data

Here's what it actually shows.

Germany solar capacity (cloudier than Seattle)
91 GW installed
Source · IEA PVPS
Cold-weather PV efficiency bonus
+0.3–0.5% per °C below 25°C
Source · NREL
Seattle avg. peak sun hours
3.8 hrs/day
Source · NREL PVWatts
Diffuse light capture
10–25% of rated output on overcast days
Source · NREL
Sources

Go read the receipts.

Related

Other myths in solar

Verdict · Mostly False

"Solar panels are full of toxic chemicals."

Verdict · False

"Solar doesn't generate enough energy to pay for itself."