Solar power costs are dropping and could soon cross over the point where they’re cheaper than fossil fuels and other supplies. Germany passed a law demanding utilities buy excess electricity from microgeneration at a good price and the take up of solar, and no doubt other technologies, has soared.

The only people too stupid to be excited by these developments are the electricity and oil companies.

“There is no silver bullet,” said Jeroen Van der Veer, Shell’s chief executive.
“We have invested a bit in all forms of renewable energy ourselves and maybe we’ll find a winner one day. But the reality is that in twenty years time we’ll still be using more oil than now,” he said.

Jeroen Van der Veer sends me an email every week or so. I never bother to read them.