What are the limitations of solar power?

Solar power is a renewable resource, but it is not without its limits, at least presently. As far as how much of our energy needs can be satisfied by solar power, the limits are more technological, financial and political than anything else. Currently, our best solar panels convert only about 20 percent of the solar energy they receive into usable electricity. Thus, a high number of panels are needed to satisfy even a single home's energy needs. For that reason, solar power systems are still prohibitively expensive and require large amounts of surface area to create a relatively small amount of energy.

Again, those limitations are related to technology, not source. Research and innovation continue to improve conversion efficiency and reduce costs. Another limitation for solar power is intermittency. Solar power is extremely predictable, making it an easy resource to work with, but it is available only during the day under sunny skies. Although a definite limitation, this problem too is solvable with technology. The key is energy storage. Plenty of sunlight strikes the earth's surface on any given day, enough to power the entire world for years. Solar power's limitations lie in our ability to capture, convert and store solar energy.