Despite the many perks of renewable energy systems, there are several barriers to market development. The first and foremost of these barriers is cost. Most small-scale renewable energy technologies are substantially more expensive on a dollars-per-watt basis than conventional sources. Part of this cost inequity can be attributed to the array of generous subsidies for fossil and nuclear power. (These subsidies are so long-standing and well entrenched in the marketplace that they are hardly considered subsidies any longer.) This problem is exacerbated by the fact that current energy pricing does not reflect the harm to human health and the.
