Enormous Potential
The Earth receives a considerable amount of energy from the sun, far more than we are ever likely to use. In fact, the Earth receives more than ten thousand times more energy in a second than we use globally in that second.
Not all this solar energy reaches the surface, but if we could tap just 1% of what we get from solar power, we'd need nothing else.
This is one of the most important advantages of solar power over the other alternative energy sources; there is simply so much of it potentially available.
Most Suitable in Developing Regions
It would appear that "developing" countries are those generally concentrated around equatorial regions (Africa, South America, India and so forth), while the "developed" ones lie more in higher latitudes.
Advantages of solar energy: the natural resource (potential)
http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/natural-resource-solar-power-potential(Last visited September 8, 2008).
Equatorial regions receive far more solar energy per square metre than regions at higher latitudes. This is not to say that solar panels would be wasted in Europe or North America, just that they would produce more electricity in Africa.
Clean
One of the main advantages of solar power: it produces no greenhouse gases or other toxic pollutants.
Cheap to run
Aside from production and occasional maintenance costs, solar panels do not cost much to actually run. There are generally no moving parts and panels are built to be durable against harsh weather conditions.
Renewable
I suppose this one is fairly obvious, really, but do bear in mind that the sun will not go anywhere. It will exist for many billions of years to come, so there's no chance of ever losing this source of energy (whereas rivers can dry up).
Aesthetics
Unlike wind turbines, no one complains about the erection of solar panels on a rooftop. On a small scale, they are unobtrusive. On a large scale, they are likely to be in a fairly barren and remote location anyway, for example desert land. They are also silent so can be placed on roof tops without annoying the neighbours.
Ideal for Domestic Purposes
Essentially because of many of the reasons already listed, solar power is probably the most appropriate form of renewable energy to be applied domestically. I'm of the opinion that all new builds should include solar thermal panels as standard.
Safe
As far as I'm aware, no one has ever died in a "solar explosion". This is a problem which plagues effectively all non renewable sources: deaths occur in mining, power plant accidents, and so on, not to mention the death toll which could one day be attributed to global warming.
So those are the main advantages of solar power. Solar power technology really has a very long way to go, and that is why it has so much potential.
I expect to see the days when solar panels are printed onto panes of glass and woven into clothing, to really maximise the amount of free energy we can gain from the sun.
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