Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) rebuked Interior Secretary Doug Burgum after the secretary claimed solar energy produces no electricity at night [1].
The exchange highlights a fundamental divide in the U.S. government regarding the reliability of renewable energy and the role of battery technology in the national power grid.
The confrontation occurred on Wednesday [1] during a House Natural Resources Committee hearing in Washington, D.C. [1]. During the proceedings, Burgum said solar power is unreliable once the sun sets, stating, "Solar energy produces zero electricity when the sun goes down" [1].
Markey, a longtime advocate for environmental protections, countered the secretary's position by emphasizing the role of energy storage. He said, "Solar works day and night thanks to storage, and your comment is misleading" [2].
Burgum's comments focused on the intermittent nature of sunlight, suggesting that the lack of direct generation at night renders the source problematic. Markey said that modern storage technologies allow solar energy to be captured and supplied to the grid long after dark [3].
The dispute reflects broader political tensions over the transition from fossil fuels to green energy. While some officials prioritize the immediate stability of traditional baseload power, others argue that the integration of storage solves the intermittency problem inherent in wind and solar [3].
Observers noted the intensity of the exchange. Chris Jansing said, "Senator Markey is outraged by the Secretary’s remarks" [4].
“"Solar energy produces zero electricity when the sun goes down."”
This clash underscores the technical and political debate over 'intermittency' in renewable energy. While solar panels do not generate power without sunlight, the growth of utility-scale battery storage is designed to bridge that gap. The disagreement between the Interior Secretary and the Senator suggests that the administration's approach to energy infrastructure may prioritize traditional energy sources over a storage-integrated renewable grid.
