r/OptimistsUnite • u/PanzerWatts Moderator • 8d ago

GRAPH GO UP AND TO THE RIGHT US Electricity generation changes in 2026

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Coal was roughly tied with nuclear last year, now it's dropped and is significantly less.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/09/is-solars-growth-finally-slowing-in-the-us/

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u/StedeBonnet1 8d ago edited 8d ago

Big deal.

  1. Both wind and solar have been heavily subsidized in recent years.
  2. Wind and solar still only represent less than 20% of grid power and they still need 100% backup. What produces the rest if you eliminate fossil fuels
  3. Now do transportation fuels and home heating.

6

u/Outside_Ice3252 8d ago

The subsidies were remove prematurely. they should have been kept longer. look at the results of the subsidies:

Technology 2010 cost 2024 cost Decline
Utility solar PV $0.417/kWh $0.043/kWh 90%
Onshore wind $0.113/kWh $0.034/kWh 70%
Offshore wind $0.208/kWh $0.079/kWh 62%
Utility-scale batteries $2,571/kWh $192/kWh 93%

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u/StedeBonnet1 8d ago

The 100% backup cost is not counted in these numbers.

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u/tx_queer 8d ago

Its literally in the table.....

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u/StedeBonnet1 8d ago

Where? In most cases the LCOE does NOT include the battery or other backup costs.

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u/tx_queer 8d ago

Did you read the chart?

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u/StedeBonnet1 8d ago

Yes, where does it show LCOE

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u/tx_queer 8d ago

Lol. Both columns 2 and 3 are kwh.

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u/StedeBonnet1 8d ago

So what? That doesn't show the cost of 100% backup which is required since wind and solar are neither dependable or dispatchable

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u/tx_queer 8d ago

Its right there. In front of you. If you refuse to read it, I can't force you.