Energy Department responds to solar-at-night criticism on social media

The Department of Energy addressed a common renewable energy critique on social media, defending solar power's daytime productivity despite the long-standing industry knowledge that panels don't generate at night.

First covered Jul 24, 2026 · 3:58 PM PT · 1 article

Energy Department responds to solar-at-night criticism on social media — Image via canarymedia.com

Coverage

2d Canary Media Duh, solar power doesn't work at night — but it excels during the day — Yesterday, the Department of Energy took to social media to try and make a scandal out of a well-known fact: Solar panels do not generate power at night.

More coverage from around the web

yahoo.com Duh, solar power doesn't work at night — but it excels during the day

renewableenergyworld.com US Energy Secretary goes viral for misguided solar post

fortune.com Trump’s energy department said wind and solar energy capacity is ‘worthless’ without sunlight or wind. Elon Musk reminds DoE about batteries: ‘Um… hello?’ | Fortune

rawstory.com Trump official mocked after claiming solar doesn't work at night: 'It's called a battery' - Raw Story

ms.now On clean energy, too many Republicans keep forgetting that batteries exist

Appeared in: 2026-07-27 (#19)

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