” Look after the land and the land will look after you; destroy the land and it will destroy you”
Aboriginal Proverb
Solar Panels
Figure 1. Close up solar panels on sunset [Image]. iStock by Getty Images. https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/pictures-of-solar-panels
What is greenwashing?
Greenwashing is known as the process of releasing misleading information to the public or certain people by falsely representing that something is environmentally responsible (Oxford Dictionary, 2025).
Why should we care?
Renewable energy is a huge factor in today’s energy production, especially solar panels. However, there is a variety of impacts to communities and the environment! Problems such as leaching of harmful materials and the removal of wilderness habitats are just a few reasons to why renewable energy has secrets. Lets deep dive into why we should care about the greenwashing of these panels.
How can we help?
By learning about greenwashing on solar panels and other renewable energies can help people know about the products before they purchase them. Learning the impacts and effects from solar panels on the environment and social spheres may allow people to help support the need for more recycling efforts and implementation.
Mind Map
References
AlHawi, A. K., & Cek, K. (2024). The Impact of Ethical Leadership on Environmental Performance in the Construction Industry: Mediating Role of Environmental Innovation and Innovation Climate. Management & Accounting Review, 23(1), 85–132. https://doi.org/10.24191/mar.v23i01-04
Aman, M & Iannella, L. (2025). 60 famous Earth Day quotes to encourage a better world. Good Housekeeping. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/a39454203/earth-day-quotes/
BC Assessment. (2020). Solar power plants. https://info.bcassessment.ca/services-and-products/Pages/Solar%20Power%20Plants.aspx
BC Hydro (a). (2025). Solar panels. https://www.bchydro.com/powersmart/residential/tips-technologies/solar-panels.html
BC Hydro (b). (2025). Solar panel and battery storage rebates for Indigenous communities. https://www.bchydro.com/powersmart/indigenous-communities/solar-battery.html
BC Wildlife Federation. (2023). East Kootenays solar facility a threat to biodiversity. https://bcwf.bc.ca/east-kootenays-solar-facility-a-threat-to-biodiversity/
Grosse, C., & Mark, B. (2023). Does renewable electricity promote Indigenous sovereignty? Reviewing support, barriers, and recommendations for solar and wind energy development on Native lands in the United States. Energy Research & Social Science, 104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2023.103243
Hastings, M. (2025). Project partners offer tour of quA-ymn solar facility near Logan Lake. CFJC Today. https://cfjctoday.com/2025/10/17/project-partners-offer-tour-of-qua-ymn-solar-facility-near-logan-lake/
Hoicka, C. E., Savic, K., & Campney, A. (2021). Reconciliation through renewable energy? A survey of Indigenous communities, involvement, and peoples in Canada. Energy Research & Social Science, 74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101897
Holliday, K. (2025). Indigenous solar facility at Highland valley is B. C’s largest to date, project partners say. Castanet Kamloops. https://www.castanetkamloops.net/news/Kamloops/578590/Indigenous-solar-facility-at-Highland-Valley-is-B-C-s-largest-to-date-project-partners-say
Kassm, A. (2018). ‘Our land is our home’: Canadians build tiny homes in bid to thwart pipeline. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/08/canadian-activists-pipeline-tiny-homes-british-columbia
Mehta, M. D. (2025). Lecture 1: What is renewable energy? [PowerPoint slides]. Thompson Rivers University. https://moodle.tru.ca/pluginfile.php/4180022/mod_resource/content/2/Definition%20of%20RE.pdf
Oxford Dictionary. (2025). Greenwash. https://www.oed.com/dictionary/greenwash_v?tab=meaning_and_use#11644342
Roden, B. (2024). Clean-energy supply expands with new solar project near Logan Lake. Quesnel Cariboo Observer. https://www.quesnelobserver.com/local-news/clean-energy-supply-expands-with-new-solar-project-near-logan-lake-7723068
Stefanelli, R. D., Walker, C., Kornelsen, D., Lewis, D., Martin, D. H., Masuda, J., Richmond, C. A. M., Root, E., Neufeld, H. T., & Castleden, H. (2019). Renewable energy and energy autonomy: how Indigenous peoples in Canada are shaping an energy future. Environmental Reviews, 27(1), 95–105.
Triton Environmental Consultants. (2023). Highland solar and energy storage project: Initial project description. Canadian Solar. https://projects.eao.gov.bc.ca/api/public/document/65442ae4e6b78100222c0e14/download/FINAL%20Highland%20Solar%20IPD.pdf
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). End-of-life solar panels: regulations and management. https://www.epa.gov/hw/end-life-solar-panels-regulations-and-management
Xu, Y., Li, J., Tan, Q., Peters, A. L., & Yang, C. (2018). Global status of recycling waste solar panels: A review. Waste Management, 75, 450–458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2018.01.036
Mikaili Tweed is a student at Thompson Rivers University. She is in her firth and final year of her Bachelor of Arts, Major of Geography and Environmental Studies.