--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sunlight and wind are inherently…" description: "\"Sunlight and wind are inherently unreliable and energy-dilute. As such, adding solar panels and wind turbines to the grid in large quantities increases..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e3/michael-shellenberger-7859_electricity_sunlight-and-wind-are-inherently-unrelia_1436573.jpg" --- # Sunlight and wind are inherently unreliable and… ![“Sunlight and wind are inherently unreliable and energy-dilute. As such, adding solar panels and wind turbines to the grid in large quantities increases the cost of generating electricity, locks in fossil fuels, and increases the environmental footprint of energy production.” quote by Michael Shellenberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e3/michael-shellenberger-7859_electricity_sunlight-and-wind-are-inherently-unrelia_1436573.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e3/michael-shellenberger-7859_electricity_sunlight-and-wind-are-inherently-unrelia_1436573.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e3/michael-shellenberger-7859_electricity_sunlight-and-wind-are-inherently-unrelia_1436573.jpg) > “Sunlight and wind are inherently unreliable and energy-dilute. As such, adding solar panels and wind turbines to the grid in large quantities increases the cost of generating electricity, locks in fossil fuels, and increases the environmental footprint of energy production.” [Michael Shellenberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-shellenberger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Large-scale solar and wind add cost, lock in fossil fuels, and expand environmental impact due to intermittency and dilution. **In simple terms:** Too much renewable capacity can raise costs and emissions. Key Takeaway Balance renewable growth with storage and efficiency. Themes energy policy environment economics technology infrastructure Mood concerned analytical Type policy analytical critical When to use this quote - utility planning - policy design - investment decisions - grid modernization Key Concepts intermittency grid stability externalities resource dilution Questions to Reflect On - How can we integrate renewables without increasing costs? - What storage solutions reduce intermittency? A Different Perspective Renewables can be cost-effective with proper storage and demand management. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adding Solar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adding-solar-5129670/) [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Electricity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/electricity/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Environmental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environmental/) [Fossil fuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fossil-fuel/) [Solar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solar/) [Solar panels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solar-panels/) [Unreliable Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unreliable-energy-5129671/) [Wind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wind/) [Wind turbines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wind-turbines/) ## Related quotes > [The underlying problem with solar and wind is that they are too unreliable and energy-dilute.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-shellenberger/the-underlying-problem-with-solar-and-wind-is-that-they-are-too/) [Michael Shellenberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-shellenberger/) > [People forget: solar panels don't put themselves up. 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