Why Clean Energy Is Cheap Energy
Articles/Websites
Grades9, 10, 11, 12Economics
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Provided by The Climate Reality Project
What it is
- In this article from The Climate Reality Project, students will learn why clean energy sources such as wind and solar are now among the cheapest options for producing electricity in the United States.
- Students examine evidence showing how clean energy compares to fossil fuels in terms of cost, reliability, and long-term economic impact.
Teaching tips
Positives
- This article is brief and emphasizes the clear financial benefits of building more solar and wind power plants instead of fossil fuel plants.
- The Key Takeaways section does a great job of helping students see the main ideas of the article right away.
Prerequisites
- Students would benefit from understanding how using fossil fuels for electricity impacts the climate, increases air pollution and water pollution, and increases the dangers associated with mining and transporting the toxic and flammable products to the plants.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Language arts teachers can use the Key Takeaways section to structure an activity to practice identifying supporting details and connecting them to main ideas. Students can highlight or underline each of the key takeaways in a different color. Then, as students read, they can identify details and evidence that support the key takeaways and highlight these in a corresponding color.
- Economics or civics teachers can use this article to illustrate how economic incentives may influence policy, and why subsidies from state and federal governments can affect power plant development.
- Teachers can use this article to make connections to the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on SDG 7, Affordable and Clean Energy.
From the scientist review
This resource from The Climate Reality Project explains why clean energy is now among the most affordable sources of power, highlighting cost trends, technological advances, and economic comparisons with fossil fuels. It includes well-sourced data from the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) report, offering clear cost comparisons between renewables and traditional energy sources. This resource is a great way to spark classroom conversations about renewable energy, energy economics, and the transition to a low-carbon future
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