An Electric Revolution
Podcast Description
Clean energy is under attack like never before.
President Donald Trump has said “the wind is bullshit.” Right-wing parties in Europe have opposed climate legislation introduced by the European Union.
There has never been a more important time to understand the real history of clean energy—how did we get here, who were the pioneers, and why has it taken so long to come of age?
An Electric Revolution dives deep into the untold story of clean energy, from its groundbreaking origins to its present-day battles.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers significant themes in clean energy, including the historical context of its development, the pioneers who shaped the industry, and contemporary challenges faced today. Notable episodes include deep dives into figures like Poul la Cour, who launched Denmark's wind power dominance, and Charles Brush, America's wind power pioneer, focusing on their innovations and contributions to the sector.
Clean energy is under attack like never before.
President Donald Trump has said “the wind is bullshit.” Right-wing parties in Europe have opposed climate legislation introduced by the European Union.
There has never been a more important time to understand the real history of clean energy—how did we get here, who were the pioneers, and why has it taken so long to come of age?
An Electric Revolution dives deep into the untold story of clean energy, from its groundbreaking origins to its present-day battles.
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 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
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