What's True It is true that colder temperatures can hamper the ability of wind turbines and solar panels to produce energy. What's False Snopes did not find evidence that Germany was experiencing a “total collapse” in wind and solar energy. Furthermore, both solar panels and wind turbines are capable of functioning under cold and snowy conditions. Origin As Texas struggled with statewide rolling blackouts and much of the United States experienced a potent arctic storm with frigid temperatures and unprecedented ice and snow in February 2021, social media users speculated that frozen wind turbines in Texas played a major role in power outages there (false). And across the world, others argued that Germany’s renewable energy sources, wind and solar, failed that country, requiring greater output from nuclear and coal production to make up the difference.