To what extent is solar energy an effective and economic alternative to fossil fuel energy?

At the moment, sadly, fossil fuel energy (electricity from coal, oil and gas-burning power stations) is far more effective and economic since the environmental impact is completely neglected. As well, fossil fuels are subsidized (tax cuts) much more than alternative energy.

This is because there is as yet no charge on the colossal amount of carbon emissions and other pollution (nitrous gases, carbon monoxide) that are produced at every stage of the fossil fuel production right up to its final burning. When governments can agree on a correct price that carbon emitters have to pay, then the true price of electricity (much higher than it is now) will encourage governments and private citizens to do what they can to generate solar photo-voltaic and wind energy.

Companies have set up solar farms using various ways of harnessing the sun's energy and converting it into electricity. There are many farms in place all over the world.

Private citizens may find it worth while to:

# Use solar hot water in their homes (fairly efficient technology). About 80% of the water heating can be derived from solar without getting into complicated systems.

# Install PV solar panels to generate some electricity to reduce their demand on the common grid supply. 100% can be generated, but costs may make it prohibitive. PV panels last 40+ years, with about 1% production loss every year. Warranties are typically 20 years.

# Install solar air heating to heat their homes during the winter (supplementary heating to existing heating). Large wind energy is generally cheaper than solar, but requires more maintenance (high winds can damage them).