What is holding back the growth of solar power?

Solar sector needs better power storage, grid infrastructure and government support to meet bullish growth predictions

Sixty years ago, the price of solar panels was astronomical. At a cost of $1,910 (1,350) per watt in today's money, the only practical use for them was in space on the US Vanguard 1 satellite, which launched in 1958.

But slowly and then precipitously the price of building a solar cell came down. Today it is less than $0.80 (0.55) per watt. The subsequent proliferation of panels (especially in Europe, China, US and India) has tracked along the dizzying curve that eventually lead to the market domination of the car, the mobile phone and electricity itself.