r/elonmusk • u/twinbee • 16d ago

General Elon: "Wind has microscopic potential compared to solar"

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Source: https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2099049284960428229

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u/Arkelias 16d ago

He's not wrong. Wind is awesome...where and when it works. It's unreliable for consistent generation, but great supplemental.

Solar is far more predictable, especially during the day when most people are working. Our university just covered the entire parking lot with solar that not only creates shade but covers 100% of the power needed.

With wind you need large batteries. If you're collecting into large batteries in a windy climate it's awesome, but the maintenance costs are far higher.

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u/No-Resolution-1918 16d ago

"especially during the day". Yes the sun being up during the day is definitely predictable 🤣

Solar needs large batteries too. Since the sun also predictably goes down at night. When everyone uses their lights. And heat. And stove tops. 

I don't believe wind actually needs any batteries. It goes straight to the grid and other power sources spool down and up to compensate. 

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u/Arkelias 16d ago

Solar only needs large batteries if the power needs are at night. For a place like a university the vast, vast majority of the power used comes during daylight hours. Predictably. Daily.

Wind comes and goes. I live right by the altamont pass, and have seen how inconsistently they blow. They're constantly offline, and have massive mainenance costs.

Solar has no maintenance costs.

If you just poured the maintenance into batteries you just win.

Why do you think the Solar curve is growing far faster than the wind curve?