Are there any limitations to solar energy?

Question

Are there any limitations to solar energy?

Answer 1

The biggest reason I have heard for it not being a main source of energy is it's limited by the sun.  If it's a cloudy day it will not produce any energy.  Also it only works during the day.  For it to work there would need to be many solar farms spread out across the country.   Also I personally think it would be best to mix with wind power.

Answer 2

Expensive equipment for electricity, and the wheater.

Answer 3

The only limitation is the technology to harvest and use it.  I know that every day new ways are invented to use it, but slow to get to the market.

Answer 4

Depending on how close to the equator you are; the available sunlight varies according to the time of year, and varies more the closer you are to the poles.

Solar energy can be collected in a large variety of ways: passive, where walls of a building are designed to "bake" in the sun, absorbing heat throughout the day, and then radiate it back out through the night.  Active, where pipes (like a radiator) collect heat into water or oil, and that heat is either used directly (hot water) or indirectly (running turbines) to produce motion or electricity.  Direct, where silicon based solar cells collect photons generating an electric charge.

Many of these systems have a "limited" life where the sun damages or "breaks down" the collector.  Plastics tend to fail over time when exposed to sunlight.  Silicon solar cells generally have an "expected lifetime" that just barely balances out the full environmental cost of their construction.  It is an art/science that is improving.

I expect the most efficient use of solar energy is to grow plants; but doubt that's where you are going with this question.

The simple answer is: yes, limited to available sunlight.