Dave Borlace cuts through the political noise of 2025 to deliver a verdict that feels less like an environmental plea and more like a financial inevitability: the war on solar and wind is already lost, not because of policy, but because of the cold, hard math of economics. While headlines scream about political gridlock and a return to "beautiful clean coal," Borlace argues that the market has already voted, and the results are undeniable. This is a crucial distinction for the busy reader to grasp—the transition isn't waiting for a change of heart in the White House; it is being driven by the relentless force of capital seeking the highest return on investment.
The Economic Gravity of Renewables
Borlace anchors his entire argument in a single, powerful premise: investors are not motivated by ideology, but by the bottom line. He writes, "The investors in and developers of those technologies are not pursuing them for ideological reasons. They're pursuing them for hard-nosed economic reasons." This reframing is vital because it removes the transition from the realm of partisan debate and places it squarely in the domain of business logic. If the most profitable path forward is renewable energy, then political attempts to block it are merely delaying tactics that will ultimately fail against market forces.
To prove this, Borlace leans heavily on data from Lazard, a firm known for its neutral financial analysis. He points out that "the unsubsidized levelized cost of energy of utility scale solar photovoltaic power in the United States is now lower even than the very cheapest form of fossil fuel electricity generation." This is a staggering claim, especially when considering that this comparison holds true even when energy storage is added to the mix. The author notes that solar with storage remains "far cheaper than gas peers and cheaper even than nuclear power or coal." This evidence is compelling because it strips away the common counter-argument that renewables are too expensive without government handouts. Critics might note that these calculations often assume stable supply chains and favorable permitting, which can vary wildly by region, but the trend Borlace highlights is difficult to ignore.
This is not just a shift in power. This is a shift in possibility.
Speed as the Ultimate Advantage
Beyond cost, Borlace identifies speed as the second critical factor driving the transition. In a world where capital is expensive and time is money, the ability to deploy infrastructure quickly is a massive competitive advantage. He contrasts the timelines starkly: "A typical utility scale solar park can go from initial design to fully commissioned operational facility in as little as 17 months." In comparison, getting a new fossil-fueled power station up and running takes about four years, while a nuclear plant can take more than a decade.
The author argues that this speed differential creates a self-reinforcing cycle of investment. "The faster a project is completed, the less interest has to be paid on capital investment loans and the sooner the developers and venture capitalists start to see a return on their money." This logic explains why Texas, a state often associated with conservative energy politics, is leading the charge in solar installation. Borlace observes, "It's not because it has some kind of environmental epiphany, but because the numbers stack up really nicely." This observation effectively dismantles the narrative that renewable energy is solely a "blue state" ideology. The market doesn't care about red or blue; it cares about efficiency and profit.
The Human and Political Cost
While the economic arguments are strong, Borlace does not shy away from the human cost of clinging to the past. He cites a Berkeley Lab report estimating that wind and solar prevented between 1,200 and 1,600 premature deaths in 2022 alone, saving the economy $249 billion. He writes, "Communities that get most of their power from solar energy report fewer asthma attacks, clearer skies, and quieter neighborhoods." This adds a moral dimension to the financial case, suggesting that the transition is not just smart business, but a public health imperative.
Yet, the author acknowledges the political reality: the current administration is actively trying to dismantle this progress. He describes the legislation signed by the president as "specifically designed... to fundamentally undermine all progress on clean energy expansion." Borlace suggests this is a "delusional aspiration" driven by a "hopelessly backward-looking ideology" and financial ties to fossil fuel interests. However, he argues that these political maneuvers are fighting a losing battle against what Bill McKibben calls the "force of economic gravity." A counterargument worth considering is whether political obstruction could slow the transition enough to cause significant economic disruption or energy shortages before the market fully corrects, a risk that Borlace perhaps underestimates in his optimism.
The Call to Action
The piece culminates in a call to action for "Sun Day" on September 21, 2025, a national day of action to demand rapid deployment of clean energy. Borlace frames this not as a protest against the government, but as a celebration of the inevitable future. He encourages citizens to organize rallies, e-bike parades, and community discussions, noting that "oceans are made up of drops." While the political landscape may seem bleak, the author insists that the momentum is irreversible. He quotes UN Secretary General António Guterres, who stated, "Fossil fuels are running out of roads and the sun is rising on a clean energy age."
Bottom Line
Dave Borlace's strongest asset is his refusal to treat renewable energy as a moral crusade, instead presenting it as an unstoppable economic reality that political will cannot permanently halt. His argument's biggest vulnerability lies in underestimating the potential for political obstruction to cause short-term chaos, even if the long-term trend remains positive. For the reader, the takeaway is clear: the future of energy is being written by accountants and engineers, not politicians, and the sun is rising regardless of who occupies the Oval Office.