[theBuckwheat]

>>
Cost has always been one of solar’s biggest problems.
<<

And what other problem with solar power is there besides cost? Cost is the ONLY problem.

In the entire history of solar power, I am not aware of a single technology that had a cost below the market cost of other power sources but that had other issues that caused the market to reject it.

[Squawk 8888]

And what other problem with solar power is there besides cost?

The other problem is geometry. The Sun will deliver 1.3 kW per square metre at noon, so at the efficiency level of today's technology (~15% IIRC) and the fact that the peak power is only collected for a few hours per day, a roof-sized panel will not be enough to power the home on which it is installed. That being said, if the cost can be brought down enough then it would pay for itself in savings on hydro bills and as a bonus it would reduce the load on the grid and potentially make the grid more resilient if the utility buys surplus power.

[Beagle8U]

Regardless of the cost to produce the stuff, unless it is 1000X more efficient than anything on the market today it will have limited usefulness in most of the country.

How well does it work covered with a foot of snow? In the dark? When its cloudy?

[Onelifetogive]

Cost is the ONLY problem.

Storage is another major problem. Supply is intermittent and cannot be adjusted to demand. (i.e. You get power when it is sunny, not when you need it. Luckily, demand is often highest when it is sunny. Business day, people awake, A/C, etc.)

[MortMan]

And what other problem with solar power is there besides cost? Cost is the ONLY problem.

Reliability, especially in Seattle, WA, or Binghamton, NY - the first and second LEAST sunny places in the US.

[jas3]

And what other problem with solar power is there besides cost? Cost is the ONLY problem.

What about storage?

The energy to mass of storage for solar (and for all energy technologies requiring batteries) is pretty poor compared to gasoline and requires nasties like lead or cadmium.

Storage is a big problem.

jas3

[Myrddin]

And what other problem with solar power is there besides cost? Cost is the ONLY problem.

No it isn't. There's the matter of having enough sun. There are few places in the continental U.S. that get sufficient sun to do the job.

[dan1123]

Energy density is a problem of solar too. If efficiency doesn’t increase, then many applications will remain out of reach of solar.

[Kozak]

And what other problem with solar power is there besides cost?

Guess you never get cloudy days or that the sun never sets where you live....