Its my opinion that we require... perhaps several iterations of practical material science and quantum mechanical advancements before solar power becomes a truly viable alternative.
It may be oversimplifying things, but to create that, I think we require:
1. An abundance of low cost, clean energy
2. Greater resources being placed towards education and R&D in general
Grow the brains and let them play...
We won't have an abundance of clean, low cost energy if we are planning on relying on the renewable generation technologies of today. Energy density and EROIs are far too low... I fear regressions in both economic activities and standards of living if this comes to be the case.
|