Technically all energy sources are free but collecting and...

Technically all energy sources are free but collecting and concentrating it isn't. Even the gas and oil in the ground is there free but exploring and drilling for it costs a bomb. Solar energy is free in exactly the same way but collecting and storing it as electricity costs plenty. As we reduce the costs and increase the efficiencies of our solar renewables they will make a case for themselves that won't require government cash. As a principal i am not a fan of designing an energy system that reflects a political stance. Hydrogen as a fuel source has potential in transport situations but is quite wasteful of energy in its manufacturing at present. The laws of thermodynamics are very harsh on converting energy from one type into another. Solar - electricity - hydrogen - back into electricity or fuel for a combustion motor of some sort, pretty expensive energy i imagine.