Organized Crime Targets Solar
From The Clean Energy Show by James Whittingham and Brian Stockton
May 14, 2026 · 41 min · Episode 311
About this episode
The episode discusses organized crime targeting solar farms in Chile and explores various renewable energy topics including economic implications and environmental policies.
In Chile, organized crime gangs are now stealing solar panels and copper wiring from giant solar farms in coordinated nighttime raids. James explains how Saskatchewan could spend over $520 million a year on coal fuel alone — enough money to build massive amounts of solar and battery storage every single year instead. In Ohio, voters accidentally upheld a renewable energy ban because the ballot wording was nearly impossible to understand. Buy us a coffee Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for exciting perks! Plus: China donates 5,000 solar systems to Cuba during ongoing blackouts, the EPA blames Asian pollution for smog in Phoenix and Salt Lake City, Vestas tests red wind turbine blades to reduce bird collisions, Norway hits nearly 99% EV adoption, and Amsterdam bans fossil fuel advertising. Also in the Lightning Round: giant Alaskan tsunamis, Ozempic crushing junk food sales, Meta's Manhattan-sized AI data center, rooftop solar for dairy barns, and why heat pump dryers are secretly amazing. The Lightning Round includes: Norway reaches 98.6% EV market share BYD adds LiDAR to a $10K EV Used EV searches double in Canada Meta plans 10 new gas plants for AI expansion Amsterdam…
People in this episode
Hosts: James Whittingham, Brian Stockton
Topics covered
- organized crime
- solar energy
- renewable energy
- electric vehicles
- environmental policy
- energy economics
Keywords
- solar panels
- copper wiring
- renewable energy ban
- EV adoption
- energy storage
- blackouts
- pollution
- wind turbine blades
- heat pump dryers
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: EPA, Vestas, IEA
Products: Ozempic
Places: Chile, Saskatchewan, Ohio, Cuba, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Norway, Amsterdam
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