Wind and solar power are commonly thought to be very expensive -- more expensive than conventional thermal fuel sources for generating electricity. And that's

Wind and solar power are commonly thought to be very expensive -- more expensive than conventional thermal fuel sources for generating electricity. And that's true in areas where there is little sun, or little wind. Though, in windy areas (the US great plains) or sunny areas (Atacama Desert in Chile, much of Africa, Australia (outside the coasts), and Southwestern US), these are the least expensive source of new capacity and that's reflected in the free market -- what is getting built. Until governments quit subsidizing _all_ source of energy at _all) points in the value chain, the market can't really respond efficiently.