The problem with Solar (and Wind) energy is that is creates a giant energy storage problem the grid is not equipped or designed to solve.

Problem: Energy usage spikes at 11PM. Standard power plant solution - increase production near 11PM. Renewable solution - store a shitload of energy at X loss rate so that you have enough to handle 11PM.

Trying to set up an offgrid solution even for your own home quickly makes it apparent that the most costly and difficult to maintain and continually replace parts are the immense battery arrays - and you can still expect to need a consumable powered generator for when the elements don't agree with you. I'm assuming in renewable world this would be coal plants since they are the easiest to "spin up" and "wind down"?

As a result of these infrastructure and logistical challenges thorium based nuclear has always looked like the most feasible and clean solution to me; but any solution is "cleaner" than ordering a gazillion rare earth batteries every year from China - which is what nationwide solar would look like unless we have some sort of clean energy storage breakthrough.