Episode Overview
Title: What's the cheapest way to make electricity at scale? The answer may surprise you
Date: April 3, 2026
Host: Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz, Yale Center for Environmental Communication
Guest: Greg Nemet, University of Wisconsin–Madison, author of How Solar Energy Became Cheap
This episode of Climate Connections dives into the rapid revolution in solar energy, exploring how solar has become—by far—the cheapest way to generate electricity globally. Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz talks with Greg Nemet, an expert on solar energy transitions, about dramatic price drops, shifting global leadership in solar deployment, and why the developing world is now leading the charge. The conversation also touches on American policy, the importance of market competition, and the resilience of solar’s rise.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Solar’s Plummeting Costs and Global Leadership
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Solar's cost has dropped dramatically over the past few decades, making it the cheapest form of electricity almost everywhere.
- “Over the past few decades, the cost of solar power has plummeted… almost every place, solar is the cheapest way to make electricity, and that’s why it’s growing so fast.”
— Greg Nemet [00:01–00:16]
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Global production is concentrated in China, while Australia leads in rooftop installations.
- “Production is now concentrated in China. Australia is a leader in rooftop solar installations.”
— Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz [00:16–00:37]
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Surprising leaders: the Global South
- “The most surprising thing I would say is that the rates of growth are fastest now in the Global South. So it’s countries that are lower income and have grids that are unreliable. And so solar’s become a real opportunity there.”
— Greg Nemet [00:37–00:50]
2. The U.S. Solar Landscape and Policy Headwinds
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U.S. growth hovers at the global average, but recent policy changes have slowed momentum.
- “In the U.S. solar installation rates hover only around the global average. And the One Big Beautiful Bill act has slowed momentum by repealing many renewable energy incentives.”
— Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz [00:50–01:00]
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Solar remains cost-competitive even without subsidies, and market forces are expected to drive future growth.
- “Research shows that even without subsidies, solar is cost competitive with fossil fuels. So Nemet expects growth to pick up again after companies adjust their business models.”
— Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz [01:00–01:11]
3. Transition to Market Competition
- Market competition will benefit solar and batteries after a transition period.
- “The more we shift away from subsidies towards market competition, the better that solar and batteries will do. But there’ll be a transition of a couple years to get there.”
— Greg Nemet [01:11–01:20]
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
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On solar's global dominance:
- “Almost every place, solar is the cheapest way to make electricity, and that’s why it’s growing so fast.”
— Greg Nemet [00:11–00:16]
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On rapid expansion in the developing world:
- “The rates of growth are fastest now in the Global South... solar’s become a real opportunity there.”
— Greg Nemet [00:37–00:50]
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On future U.S. solar growth post-policy shift:
- “Even without subsidies, solar is cost competitive with fossil fuels. So Nemet expects growth to pick up again after companies adjust their business models.”
— Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz [01:00–01:11]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:01 – Introduction; solar prices reach new lows
- 00:16 – China and Australia at the forefront of solar deployment
- 00:37 – Global South leads in solar growth
- 00:50 – U.S. policy changes and current stagnation
- 01:00 – Solar’s market competitiveness without subsidies
- 01:11 – Transition to a fully competitive solar market
- 01:20 – Episode wrap and further resources
Tone & Conclusion
This episode strikes a tone of both realism and optimism—addressing policy setbacks in the U.S. but underscoring the unstoppable, global momentum behind solar energy. Listeners come away understanding how affordability, innovation, and new markets are all combining to accelerate the shift to clean power around the world.
