Bigger turbines promise more power. The longer and wider blades increase the amount of energy that can be harnessed from the wind. But the major advantage comes from their taller towers that reach high into the atmosphere where the wind blows more steadily.

The setback with renewables like solar and wind is that they are intermittent — we can’t turn on the sun and wind when we need it. But with this more steady wind flow, known as ‘capacity factor’, intermittency becomes less of an issue.

This new reliability sets up wind power to become the world’s new favorite renewable. Sorry solar, your windy sister gives us more than just daytime power.

But, of course, the energy market goes in whichever direction the wind blows, so to speak, based on price. According to Greentech Media, wind power is now the cheapest source of new energy generation in most areas of the U.S.