we have lots of coal. We're looking into alternative means because of the harmful effects it has on the environment. It's the cheapest method for creating energy at the power grid.



We have plenty of oil within the U.S. that we aren't allowed to tap into. North Dakota is one example (or is it Montana?). We have oil, we just aren't allowed to get to much of it due to regulations.



Solar is great - but some areas of the country are much better at using it than others (i.e., New Mexico vs. Seattle, sun vs. rain)

 

the problem with solar power is that it is not carbon neutral over its whole lifetime. alot of the critical components (the silicon grid/aluminium frame) are energy intensive to create, or if they cirumvent that they usually use some rare earth type materials. Not only that, but they aren't very efficient at all, and are fragile and need to be clean all the time. I guess despite all this they might be good for very sunny climates, but they don't help to the environmental issue that they are meant to solve.



Its a good concept, but atm they need more R&D before they become viable for any scale of use.