We Should Not Compare Electricity Sources Using Nameplate Ratings
Nameplate ratings should come with a disclaimer saying that this is a theoretical value and that real-world figures will be way below that. But nobody is going to read those disclaimers for real. We want to believe that things that cannot work the way we need them will somehow overcome their physical limits and a nameplate just sounds so nice. Besides, how many people do really understand what’s going on here? Sadly, this abscess is only going to pop open when it’s far too late. Maybe we could make project promoters financially liable.