I always love the threads that you start even if I play devils advocate.
I assume that you understand that the clamoring for “clean energy” has almost nothing to do with the environment and safety, and everything to do with controlling people and the economy.
The solar has terrible economics but is getting less terrible due to efficiency advancements. IIRC solar technology also uses trace elements that largely come from China and South Africa. I like solar for small scale niche applications but it's way to expensive for mass generation.
Wind generation can produce quite a bit of electricity till the wind quits blowing but at urban scales, you give up many square miles of landscape or coastal continental shelf. Blades use enormous amounts of evil petrochemicals and landfill disposal of used blades is a huge problem.
The solar has terrible economics but is getting less terrible due to efficiency advancements. IIRC solar technology also uses trace elements that largely come from China and South Africa. I like solar for small scale niche applications but it's way to expensive for mass generation.
Wind generation can produce quite a bit of electricity till the wind quits blowing but at urban scales, you give up many square miles of landscape or coastal continental shelf. Blades use enormous amounts of evil petrochemicals and landfill disposal of used blades is a huge problem.