Why hasn't solar energy been harnessed as primary source of energy?

Question

Why hasn't solar energy been harnessed as primary source of energy?

Answer 1

cost and reliability

Answer 2

Here in Oregon I bought a security light that runs on solar and it only works on sunny days.

Answer 3

Large scale solar energy operations are very expensive to build. Costs to make industrial/commercial grade solar panels are actually going up. Then you also have the problem that not every day is going to be sunny and you can't make electricity at night.

Answer 4

There are a few large scale projects, one in Spain that is already functioning and another in CA that is being built now. CA also has made a commitment to get 1 million homes and businesses to install solar PV panels.

Answer 5

Our investment so far has been away from solar and back into fossil fuels. Politics determines where we invest R&D money. Go to your local big box store and look where our solar products are made. The bulk of them are imports from countries whose governments subsidized building factories to produce them.  Our government would rather rely on imported oil and imported solar cells than invest in solar development.

Answer 6

It's too expensive, doesn't work at night, loses output on cloudy days, requires too much land, won't work when the panels are covered in snow, we don't have the space infrastructure necessary to build the solar plants in a place where it isn't dark half the time.

Answer 7

technology is not currently available to utilize solar energy as a complete substitute for conventional power production methods...photovoltaic cells are not cost effective, and the battery technology is not capable of meeting current demands...the key to energy independence is nuclear power, build them quickly, build a lot of them and use the test site in Nevada as a repository for the spent fuel cells...good question  

Answer 8

Disadvantages of Solar power:

(a) The initial cost is the main disadvantage of installing a solar energy system, largely because of the high cost of the semi-conducting materials used in building solar panels.

(b) The cost of solar energy is also high compared to non-renewable utility-supplied electricity. As energy shortages are becoming more common, solar energy is becoming more price-competitive.

(c) Solar panels require quite a large area for installation to achieve a good level of efficiency.

(d) The efficiency of the system also relies on the location of the sun, although this problem can be overcome with the installation of certain components.

(e) The production of solar energy is influenced by the presence of clouds or pollution in the air. Similarly, no solar energy will be produced during nighttime although a battery backup system and/or net metering will solve this problem.

(f) As far as solar powered cars go - their slower speed might not appeal to everyone caught up in today's fast track movement.

However, Solar power technology is improving consistently over time, as people begin to understand the benefits offered by this incredible technology. As our oil reserves decline, it is important for us to turn to alternative sources for energy. Therefore, it would be better that converting some of the world's energy requirements to solar power are in the best interest of the worldwide economy and the environment. Since we all are aware of the power of the sun and the benefits we could get from it. In this direction, a recent renewed interest in alternative energy technologies has revitalized interest in “Solar thermal technology”, a type of solar power that uses the sun’s heat rather than its light to produce electricity.

For further information on the subject and other environmental issues please refer my blog: http://www.environmentengineering.blogsp...

Answer 9

Because president Carter prevented it from becoming so when he cut the space program back. Then when Reagan tried to restore it Congress killed it again calling it star wars! If Carter had not cut the program the USA today would be selling cheap electricity from orbital plants instead of bankrupting itself to the oil companies. Oh yes the oil companies paid Carter very well for that little stunt.