Although the cost of solar energy has declined over the years, it is still an expensive investment. This high cost can be a barrier to entry for many homeowners who want to go green. The equalized cost of solar energy The intensity of solar radiation is one of the main obstacles to the extensive application of solar energy. It varies according to different locations in the world.
The amount of useful solar energy affecting any particular location depends largely on latitude and climate. The Equator receives the most annual solar energy and the poles receive the least amount. Dry climates receive more solar energy than those with cloud cover. Sufficient transmission is required to transport energy to urban charging centers.
Intermittent resources, such as solar energy, can pose distinctive problems in transmission planning and in the efficient operation of transmission infrastructure, leading to increased transmission costs, increased congestion and even generation limitations when sufficient transmission capacity is not available. Due to potential transmission barriers, developers of solar projects must evaluate the economic compensation of placing themselves where the resource is best and being located closer to loads, where transmission barriers are least possible. While solar energy provides many positive environmental benefits, it also presents some environmental challenges. Part of the alternative solution to the intermittency of solar energy and to the associated storage and connectivity challenges will inevitably involve supplemental energy from other sources, such as wind power.
However, like all energy technologies, solar energy is imperfect and there are multiple challenges that must be overcome to make a future with solar energy a reality. There are many unexpected challenges related to solar electrification that entrepreneurs are learning while doing business in these developing countries. The biggest challenge of the wind is that it tends to blow more at night, outside of peak hours, which means that this synergy between wind and solar wind covers a greater part of the nighttime load and photovoltaics cover a greater part of the daytime load. They said, wait a second, that there are much more cost-effective measures to address the challenges of wind reduction and integration.
The challenge of building enough infrastructure to transport solar energy to where it is needed is a good example of the dependence of the solar revolution on politics.