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Wind and solar generated more power than gas globally in April 2026

electrek.co

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Re: Wind and solar generated more power than gas globally in April 2026

#21

Post by id34 »

erelong wrote: post #9

I know some people who are adamantly against solar and wind (personally I like both but I can see some shortcomings - for example I have heard that ai datacenters are using gas at times because of its flexibility) So what are some of the best talking points to "sell" solar and wind to the unconvinced? Or will they just adopt it once it's seen everywhere?

I recommend this video from YouTuber Technology Connections: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtQ9nt2ZeGM

I appreciate his ability to talk renewables for almost an hour and barely mention climate change. This video has a bit of a twist ending, but he gives you a solid out before he becomes political if you're showing it to someone who won't be receptive to that messaging.

Re: Wind and solar generated more power than gas globally in April 2026

#22

Post by dnautics »

willio58 wrote: post #12
cloche wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even so, the article says it grew 8% YOY in the US. The best is to hope that this is an unstoppable trend so that even politicians won't be able to reverse it.

It’s already irreversible, but it’s just disappointing to see how the U.S. administration has chosen to actively fight against it, while other countries like China are embracing reality. It’s actually funny if you don’t think about it too hard. The U.S. president is trying to make us more reliant on fossil fuels, while starting a war in Iran that’s led to the global fossil fuel market to be negatively impacted, forci…

> the U.S. administration has chosen to actively fight against it

the biggest producer of renewables is Texas, by a longshot. and the state of california just created insane NEM laws that favor the pockets of pg&e (and are shit for the environment) and as a result solar home installations have cratered.

Re: Wind and solar generated more power than gas globally in April 2026

#23

Post by okr »

erelong wrote: post #9

I know some people who are adamantly against solar and wind (personally I like both but I can see some shortcomings - for example I have heard that ai datacenters are using gas at times because of its flexibility) So what are some of the best talking points to "sell" solar and wind to the unconvinced? Or will they just adopt it once it's seen everywhere?

I find no arguments against solar. I can put it everywhere and has no moving parts. Once storing is solved, perfect.

But wind?? Huge nature areas are destroyed by beton fundaments, rotors break, and just in germany was a scandal lately about recycling, as the first structures need to be renewed.

Re: Wind and solar generated more power than gas globally in April 2026

#24

Post by ceejayoz »

dnautics wrote: post #22
willio58 wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s already irreversible, but it’s just disappointing to see how the U.S. administration has chosen to actively fight against it, while other countries like China are embracing reality. It’s actually funny if you don’t think about it too hard. The U.S. president is trying to make us more reliant on fossil fuels, while starting a war in Iran that’s led to the global fossil fuel market to be negatively impacted, forci…

> the U.S. administration has chosen to actively fight against it the biggest producer of renewables is Texas, by a longshot. and the state of california just created insane NEM laws that favor the pockets of pg&e (and are shit for the environment) and as a result solar home installations have cratered.

> the biggest producer of renewables is Texas

That doesn't refute the point at all.

Re: Wind and solar generated more power than gas globally in April 2026

#26

Post by ceejayoz »

graemep wrote: post #18
erelong wrote: post #9

I know some people who are adamantly against solar and wind (personally I like both but I can see some shortcomings - for example I have heard that ai datacenters are using gas at times because of its flexibility) So what are some of the best talking points to "sell" solar and wind to the unconvinced? Or will they just adopt it once it's seen everywhere?

I do not think the two should be lumped together. They do both need storage but solar is more predictable. Winds can be low for extended periods.

> Winds can be low for extended periods.

So can sun, but that's why we build both where that's unusual. We've got plenty of stats and data gathering on where it's reliably sunny/windy enough.

Re: Wind and solar generated more power than gas globally in April 2026

#27

Post by ReptileMan »

jqpabc123 wrote: post #2

Renewable energy offers a competitive advantage for any energy intensive activity --- like manufacturing or AI. China gets it, the USA doesn't.

Indeed. Steel mills, aluminum smelters and glass factories really adore the intermittent nature of renewables.

Re: Wind and solar generated more power than gas globally in April 2026

#28

Post by dnautics »

ceejayoz wrote: post #24
dnautics wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> the U.S. administration has chosen to actively fight against it the biggest producer of renewables is Texas, by a longshot. and the state of california just created insane NEM laws that favor the pockets of pg&e (and are shit for the environment) and as a result solar home installations have cratered.

> the biggest producer of renewables is Texas That doesn't refute the point at all.

no, but renewables do speak for themselves in dollars and cents, even if they dont have subsidy. now should petrochem subsidies end too? probably yes.

Re: Wind and solar generated more power than gas globally in April 2026

#29

Post by philipallstar »

pstuart wrote: post #15
erelong wrote: post #9

I know some people who are adamantly against solar and wind (personally I like both but I can see some shortcomings - for example I have heard that ai datacenters are using gas at times because of its flexibility) So what are some of the best talking points to "sell" solar and wind to the unconvinced? Or will they just adopt it once it's seen everywhere?

I'm going to guess they are against it because it's "woke". A question might be "why is it woke?" And if it's because libtards like it, then you can point out that libtards like coffee, beer, sports, etc -- so when will they boycott those?

[flagged]

Re: Wind and solar generated more power than gas globally in April 2026

#30

Post by lstodd »

ceejayoz wrote: post #26
graemep wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I do not think the two should be lumped together. They do both need storage but solar is more predictable. Winds can be low for extended periods.

> Winds can be low for extended periods. So can sun, but that's why we build both where that's unusual. We've got plenty of stats and data gathering on where it's reliably sunny/windy enough.

[flagged]
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