I don’t buy the hype about solar electricity nor should anyone who can rationally look at some technology and analyze it on a cost/benefit basis.
However, technology is growing at a pace far beyond our ability to comprehend it in a macro sense. The sun is a massive power plant and our ability to harness it will grow with our ability to collect and store energy. Sadly, our government subsidies have gone towards existing technology that has severe limitations and often does not approach a 25% return on the dollar. It is only one part of the energy pie that has received more hype and funding than it warrants at the moment, but it will get better.
Assuming we remain a free and prosperous society and given the economic growth in other parts of the world there is little doubt that newer technologies will emerge that may be worth consideration for those along the equator and perhaps a little further from it.
Every analysis of power sourcing should include a factor of independence. There’s great value in operating without monthly payments or risk of shutdowns beyond your control.
A small stream of water can be channeled into a pipe which then runs downhill. A narrowing of the pipe will cause the water pressure inside the pipe to increase. When the water then sprays onto a fly wheel connected to an electric generator you get clean electricity. Look up micro-hydro electric power and discover that any community with hills and rain will be able to achieve hydro electric power. And that is 24 hours per day. Just as long as it keeps raining and the streams keep flowing.
The basic physics of the atmosphere absorption of light allow (on average over the full year) effective energy to be collected only 6 hours a day. Thus, you 4x the collection modules to store enough power to use the 18 hours a day that there is input solar power.