Which form of energy is best is now more a political and social issue rather than economic.
Certainly the environment is a consideration in choice of fuel (and how it's used), but, ultimately, the effect of that choice is a cost to the instant chooser and the society as a whole.
If the current economic downturn continues, efficiency will have to trump environment as efficiency is what will keep people fed, etc.
Ethanol is an immediate example of the effect of the realities of economics on fuel choice. Increase in the use of corn for ethanol production effectively took food out of the mouths of people and has cooled the fervor for this form of energy.
Solar can not be justified economically in the current market (and probably never, given space requirements, et al.) -- without the government incentives. And the government incentives are coming from the pockets of people, monies that could otherwise go to food, medicine, infrastructure.
Utilitarianism certainly would measure energy choice rightly, though, again, it comes down to how one values economic wellness against personal wellness.
One man's view.
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