Storage is not required for retail solar, just grid-tie. All the non-carbon systems require subsidy.
The solar subsidy has been hugely effective at reducing prices.
The solar subsidy has been hugely effective at reducing prices.
Panel prices have dropped due to competition between Chinese and German manufacturers and large scale solar power plant projects, such as the 600MW power plant in India. So subsidies to retail sector have miniscule effect on prices. Also, if the goal of subsidies was to reduce prices then it'd be better to spend them on projects to reduce panel/storage prices and investments in solar power plants.
Yes, the overall cost of energy would be less with an all-fossil system, but that's no longer acceptable.