Who or what is preventing solar power from solving world energy problems?

Question

Who or what is preventing solar power from solving world energy problems?

Answer 1

It appears that the US is only helping big oil.  There is presently nothing for alternative fuels.

Big Oil contributes big bucks to our elected officals.  

So, big oil?  Our elected officals?  Us?

Answer 2

Technology is a little to blame too. Research is just now catching up with need.

Existing solar panels aren't as efficient as they could be, or need to be for large-scale community use. I mean, think of the surface area required to just run one house on solar power, even with conservations and energy efficient appliances. But they are working on it... keep the faith.

Answer 3

money and cheapskates and society's unsatiating need/want for instant gratification. it takes too much time to start, or so they think. we really should get in gear and start using it. the sun is available ALL THE TIME! except for rainy days, but that's what battery storage is for. batteries are bad but we can reuse them so they are good.

Answer 4

clouds.

Answer 5

Physics.  The sun delivers 1.3kw per square metre at noon, less at other times of the day, and the best available technology can only convert 18% of that energy into useful power.  There simply isn't enough room to set up enough solar collectors to meet our energy needs.

Answer 6

The NIMBYs--not in my backyard---They all want alternatives but they dont want that eyesore being seen out their windows.

Answer 7

People !  We should pass a law that any new house has to have solar pannels on the roof, to power that house.

I know of a house 4,000 sq ft.  That has power packs on the roof and it is fancy by anyone's standards and their total power bill was $4.00 for the month.

Why shouldn't all new houses require solar pannels on the roof?  Eventually they will all be sufficient.