Why did it take more than 60 years for solar to go mainstream—and how did it get so cheap?
In this episode, I explore the global history of solar energy with Gregory Nemet, professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and author of How Solar Energy Became Cheap.
Greg reveals how solar’s stunning price drop—from over $100 per watt for a solar modulee in the 1970s to under 10 cents today—wasn’t driven by a single breakthrough or country. Instead, it was a global relay race of innovation, policy, and persistence.
🔍 What we cover:
Why it took decades for the world to install its first terawatt of solar capacity
The forgotten roles of the U.S., Japan, and Germany before China took the lead
How global cooperation, not just competition, drove down solar costs
Why solar could become the world’s largest electricity source by the 2030s
The risks and opportunities in a more fragmented energy future
🎧 Tune in to hear the surprising, multi-decade journey behind one of the greatest climate success stories—and what it means for the future of clean energy.
Links:
Gregory Nemet’s website: gregnemet.net
