I don't understand this love affair with nuclear energy, especially in a country full of sunny deserts. Cover a fraction of it in solar panels coupled with sodium batteries, and the problem is solved. But for some reason this idea is not being considered seriously. Why?

I understand in the 50's we needed reactors to create plutonium to fend off russians.

I understand in the 80's the solar panels were expensive.

But now, when the panels are cheap and lithium batteries are cost competitive and sodium batteries are being actively developed (and already put into cars), there is simply no excuse.

Why then?