Hey Hollywood: Solar needs better representation on screen
Following Hollywood’s biggest night, Charlie Hadlow, the president and COO of EnergySage issued a statement that’s well overdue: Renewable energy needs better representation in television and film.
“More than four million homes in the U.S. have solar panels, yet they’re rarely seen in film and television,” Hadlow stated. “Hollywood has the power to shape perception, drive consumer behavior, and counter misinformation. Just as Hollywood helped eliminate the normalization of cigarettes, it can do the opposite for clean energy—making it feel aspirational, accessible, and mainstream. It has never been more necessary than at this moment.”
EnergySage is a marketplace for rooftop solar, energy storage, heat pumps, and community solar. It connects hundreds of vetted and accredited solar, HVAC, and electrical installers with interested homeowners seeking quotes. The site also houses in-depth resources for consumer education.
EnergySage is calling on the industry to take the next step: incorporating clean energy solutions into visual storytelling. We at Solar Builder whole-heartedly agree.
Honestly, I’d wager to say you’ll see way more characters still light up a cigarette on screen than you’ll see in real life. Meanwhile, if you see a solar panel on screen, it is likely at some ultra off-grid hippie house, or prepper compound. This is no longer a reflection of reality. A review by the SUN DAY Campaign of data just released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) confirms that throughout 2024, solar remained the nation’s fastest growing source of electricity. Utility-scale solar thermal and photovoltaic expanded by 32.0% while small-scale solar PV increased by 15.3%.
And yet, calls for “American energy” often seem to quickly default back to oil, gas and coal.
“Renewable energy sources now provide a quarter of the nation’s electricity,” noted the SUN DAY Campaign’s executive director Ken Bossong. “Consequently, the rash efforts of the Trump Administration to undermine wind, solar, and other renewables will have serious negative consequences for the nation’s electricity supply and the economy.”
Four ways to take action
This EnergySage public advocacy campaign is based on the understanding that people emulate what they see on screen. When clean energy solutions are visibly integrated into everyday life in the media, they become more tangible and desirable to the public. Normalizing these technologies can drive consumer demand, influence industry trends, and shape policy decisions.
EnergySage proposes these key ways for the entertainment industry to take action:
• Show clean energy as the norm: Solar panels, electric vehicles, heat pumps, and smart thermostats are already part of everyday life. These technologies should be portrayed naturally in film and television, just like any other household appliance or vehicle.
• Feature clean energy stories: Develop narratives that explore the transition to clean energy, highlighting real-life examples of individuals and communities embracing sustainable solutions.
• Power sets with solar energy: Use solar power to run production sets, demonstrating a real-time commitment to sustainability while showcasing the practicality of clean energy.
• Partner with experts: Collaborate with organizations like EnergySage to ensure accurate and up-to-date portrayals of clean energy technologies and their benefits.
“EnergySage remains dedicated to making clean energy accessible and affordable for all,” Hadlow said. “By working together, Hollywood and the clean energy sector can inspire millions to make the switch to sustainable solutions.”
