By Craig Courtnay   DEC. 14, 2015

As the rapper, Nelly, said, It's getting hot in herre . . . So take off all your clothes. We could say the same about our planet, our home . . that it's getting hot in herre. Unfortunately, the solution to our problem is not as obvious (or as fun) as Nelly's solution.

I'm a nature lover. My wish is that mankind will eventually live in a sustainable manner with the earth.

Solar energy is being promoted as the solution to the getting hot problem. If you listen to environmentalists and even the Obama administration, solar is the answer. My intuition tells me something is not quite right:

The theoretical potential of solar power, . . . = 89,300 TW. This theoretical potential represents more energy striking the earth's surface in one and a half hours than worldwide energy consumption in the year 2001 from all sources combined. [1]

And yet:

Solar Energy as % of Overall U.S. Energy Consumption[2]
1990 0.07%
2014 0.43%

If the Sun's energy is essentially free, then why is Solar energy such a low percentage of our energy consumption (especially since it has been commercially available since the 1970s)?

This article is an attempt to answer that question. I'd like to understand solar energy's true potential. Maybe it is the answer, or maybe it is one of many answers. Treating it as the answer if it is not, would delay us from implementing an effective strategy.

If we all understand the various energy options, we can discuss with our friends, colleagues, and leaders to get the action we need.

My goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of Solar energy.

It may not be as fun as the solution to Nelly's problem, but I hope enjoyable and informative, nevertheless.

Next: How Solar Works >


  1. Sandia Solar FAQs 2006, pg. 10
  2. DOE/EIA November 2015 Monthly Energy Review, pg. 17