General Discussion

Solar and wind resources are continuously replenished and inexhaustible, unlike finite fossil fuels. They produce little to no greenhouse gases in operation, and they produce a durable energy supply. Every serious appraisal of solutions to reach climate goals includes a mix of energy sources, including solar, wind, hydro and nuclear. The renewable sources have a lower regulatory burden than nuclear energy because they are inherently safe, and this lowers the cost of installation and operation. Utility-scale Solar is now the cheapest energy source for new electricity generation in many regions. Renewables don't require fuel extraction or processing, and do not produce a fuel waste product.

The environmental impact of renewable energy on things like land use, wildlife, recycling requirements, etc. must be considered as with any other source of energy, including nuclear. The urgency of the climate crisis forces some trade-offs such as considering the direct impact of wind turbines on bird populations vs. the potentially much larger impact of climate change on those same populations. The relative simplicity of solar and wind systems lends itself to innovation to meet environmental challenges.