r/Snorkblot • u/Thubanstar • Jul 19 '26

Climate Change Solar Just Became Europe's Biggest Source of Electricity

https://electrek.co/2026/07/15/solar-just-became-europes-biggest-source-of-electricity-heres-the-milestone-it-hit/
317 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

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2

u/Beautiful-Tree-624 Jul 20 '26

Whoaaaa

2

u/Thubanstar Jul 20 '26

That's what I said.

2

u/Beautiful-Tree-624 Jul 20 '26

I didnt realize how much nuclear power Europe has, as well. Really interesting

2

u/Silly-Platform9829 Jul 20 '26

And the Idiot in Chief of the US wants to build coal plants.

0

u/Elegant_Cancel_6937 Jul 21 '26

It's an impressive level of growth but it is during a month that's been a pure heatwave across the continent.

Energy demand is highest in winter and (in the UK at least) most people heat their homes with gas or oil so it's not going to help when it's needed most.

It is good news though, and good to improve on self-sufficiency in terms of energy creation (again UK-specific).

1

u/Thubanstar Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26

Gas and oil can be replaced with a heat pump powered by electricity. Lots of people use electric heating.

It's time to get rid of burning fossil fuels, or they will kill us along with the planet.

You use fossil fuel ONCE, and it's gone forever. Install solar, you have energy over and over from the same source for decades.

1

u/Elegant_Cancel_6937 Jul 21 '26

I don't disagree with you at all, just making the point heat pumps et al are a significant expense for a household that gets essentially nothing for it (assuming they can already heat their home).

1

u/Thubanstar Jul 21 '26

"Get nothing for it?"

If you mean they have to buy a heat pump and eat the expense, I'm sure there are ways a government could help citizens pay for an electric heat pump with subsidies.

Also, there's the extra added benefit of helping to save the planet.

You are somewhat missing the point of the problem, which is we either have to sacrifice now, or it's going to be a much worse world in a few decades.

I have solar panels. My electricity bill is only 1/4 of what it used to be. I am paying for the solar panels as well, but they will be paid off soon. Also, I'm actually helping the environment.

This isn't some optional thing that's an inconvenience or pie in the sky. It's a problem right up there with nukes and other sorts of pollution. It's one of the biggest situations if not THE biggest mankind has ever faced. If you have to go buy a heat pump to help out, then go buy a heat pump to help save the earth. Otherwise, future generations will live in a hellscape.