I have no problem with alternative energy sources of any size. Every watt generated by solar panels on someone's house is a watt that the power plants don't have to generate, and over time, that's going to add up.

Tidal power, geothermal power, all of these have a place, usually under very localized conditions.

Even large, centralized solar power plants have a place. The local paper here had an article on six new plants being proposed for California deserts that will generate a total of 2,400 megawatts. That's nothing to sneeze at.

But that's in the daytime.

The single nuclear plant complex mentioned in the story will generate 2,700 megawatts. Every day, day or night, rain or shine, wind or calm. There's a lot to be said for that. We have a large technological civilization, and an entire planet that really wants to participate in it. I don't think windmills are going to cut the mustard by themselves, and I'm not holding my breath on fusion.