Converting sunlight to electric energy and then using that energy generates the exact same amount of heat as if that sunlight was simply absorbed by the ground without the solar panel being in the way, as per the laws of thermodynamics.

This is where I am curious to see if solar panels cover city rooftops can help - not entirely mitigate but help - with city heat island effects.

By absorbing the energy to then use it - say to run aircon - it should be better than having the surroundings absorb it and then pump in more energy from outside to mitigate it.

Though, if the solar panels absorb more energy than the ground, due to the ground reflecting more of the light, that’s still a little bit of difference, right?

(Not a knock on solar panels, I’m just being pedantic)

That depends on albedo.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albedo

Yes, and?

Perhaps they are mixing up the “there is therefore a maximum safe rate of worldwide energy use (however far away we are from that)” point with the “CO2 emissions from fossil fuels contribute to greenhouse effect” point, and...

ok, I’m not sure either