Solar Industry Trends & Challenges - Ivanpah solar electric generating system, once one of the largest solar plants, is scheduled to close due to cheaper alternatives and environmental concerns [1][2] - The Trump administration canceled the review of Esmeralda 7, a solar project planned to power 2 million homes in Nevada [2][3] - Concentrated solar plants are being undercut by the cheapness of photovoltaic panels [4] Technological Advancements & Feasibility - Collecting solar power in space is considered less feasible due to the cheapness and ease of implementing solar panels on Earth [5] - Covering approximately 1.5% of the Earth's land surface with solar panels and wind turbines could meet global power needs [6] Geopolitical & Economic Implications - Canceling the Nevada solar plant (Esmeralda 7) is considered detrimental, as it would have provided 6 gigawatts of cheap solar power [7] - The United States, the inventor of the first solar cell, is losing ground to China in solar panel production [8][9] - China is building solar panels 10 times faster than the United States, potentially leading to economic and political primacy [9]