Nuclear vs Solar vs Wind vs Natural Gas
Energy Source Comparison
Comparison of 4 major electricity sources — capacity factor, LCOE, CO2 emissions, land use, and dispatchability.
NuclearSolarWindNatural Gas
Full Specification Comparison
| Specification | Nuclear | Solar | Wind | Natural Gas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity Factor | 93% | 25% | 35-45% | 50-60% |
| LCOE ($/MWh) | $141 | $25 | $40 | $45 |
| CO2 (g/kWh) | 12 | 48 | 11 | 490 |
| Land Use (m²/MWh) | 0.1 | 10 m² | 1-2 m² | 0.2 m² |
| Dispatchable | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Plant Lifespan | 60-80 years | 25-30 years | 20-25 years | 30-40 years |
| Build Time | 7-10 years | 6-12 months | 1-2 years | 2-3 years |
Expert Verdict
Nuclear offers the highest capacity factor (93%) and lowest land use; solar is the cheapest at $25/MWh but intermittent; wind is variable; natural gas is dispatchable but emits 490 gCO2/kWh.
Subject Breakdown
Nuclear
4 Category Wins
- ★ Capacity Factor: 93%
- ★ Land Use (m²/MWh): 0.1
- ★ Dispatchable: Yes
- ★ Plant Lifespan: 60-80 years
Solar
2 Category Wins
- ★ LCOE ($/MWh): $25
- ★ Build Time: 6-12 months
Wind
1 Category Wins
- ★ CO2 (g/kWh): 11
Natural Gas
0 Category Wins