Solar power is cheaper and more sustainable than our current coal-fueled power plants, so why haven't we made the switch? The real culprits here are the clouds, which make solar power difficult to control. Alexandros George Charalambides explains how solar towers and panels create electricity and how scientists are trying to create a system that can function even under cloud cover. [Directed by Richard O'Connor, narrated by Addison Anderson].

Alexandros Charalambides: Why aren't we only using solar power?

Why aren't we only using solar power?

Cloud cover's impact on solar energy can swing dramatically, potentially boosting panel efficiency by over 50% due to Mie scattering.

Efforts to predict cloud movements aim to optimize solar plant energy, minimizing waste and edging closer to sole reliance on solar power.

Harnessing solar power, while sustainable, faces challenges like cloud cover affecting energy consistency and production.