Climate Quote by Michael Shellenberger
“Solar makes electricity expensive for two inherently physical reasons. Sunlight is dilute, requiring 10 to 15 times as much materials and mining, and up to 5,000 times more land, than non-renewables. And sunlight is unreliable, which reduces the value of solar as it becomes a larger part of energy supplies.”
About This Quote
Source Article: Energy Policy Review, 2023
Solar power costs more because sunlight is low‑density, needing far more panels and land, and its intermittency lowers its economic value as penetration grows.
In simple terms: Solar is pricey due to dilute light and unreliability.
Key Takeaway
Consider efficiency and storage solutions.
Themes
energy
economics
renewables
infrastructure
technology
Mood
analytical
concerned
Type
technical
policy
When to use this quote
- grid planning
- policy making
- investment decisions
- technology development
Key Concepts
resource density
intermittency
scale economies
Questions to Reflect On
- How can storage mitigate solar’s unreliability?
- What policies can reduce land impact?
A Different Perspective
High material and land use may offset benefits without storage or efficiency gains.
