Is it possible for an environmental puzzle to be no longer solvable?

I'm playing The Witness for the first time. I've discovered the "environmental puzzles", but I have also found something that seems like it would be one, but is uncompletable given the current game state:

In the starting area, there is a glowing column that you eventually turn off along with the forcefield to allow exiting the area. I now think this was very likely an environmental puzzle and I would have been able to align the glowing column with the sun as the start of the path. But I can't find a way to reactivate the column.

Are there any environmental puzzles that can be rendered uncompletable?
Is the one I have referred to in the spoiler blocks one of them?
If not, then could you provide a hint as to how it should be completed despite the seemingly missing essential ingredient?

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What is an environmental puzzle?

updated 8.3.18. Unlike the traditional Puzzle Solutions that are the main object of the game, astute players may notice certain places on the island that seem to resembles parts of a puzzle. These Environmental Puzzles are cleverly woven into the island and can often only be found when looking from the right angle.

What is the point of the environmental puzzles in the witness?

It's purpose is directly tied to that of the many hidden Environmental Puzzles, and solving any of the nearby puzzles will light up a corresponding symbol, and reveal the symbols of other nearby puzzles. Each face of the obelisk represents an area full of puzzles.

How many environmental puzzles are in the witness?

That makes for a total of 523 puzzles, not including environmental puzzles hidden around the world....How Do I Know Which Puzzles I Have Left In The Witness?Lake ObjectRepresentsLanternsLasersFountainsObelisksFlowersAudio logs(Yellow flowers for The Caves)ClamsBunkers1 more row•Jan 26, 2016

The Witness - ALL HIDDEN ENVIRONMENT PUZZLES (Town Obelisk)

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