The article discusses the global energy consumption trends and the challenges in meeting future energy demands, particularly focusing on the need for carbon-neutral energy sources. It highlights the importance of solar energy as the largest renewable resource, capable of providing more energy in one hour than humans consume in a year. However, to be a significant primary energy source, solar energy must be stored and dispatched on demand, which can be achieved through chemical bonding in a process similar to photosynthesis. The authors emphasize the scientific and technological challenges involved in capturing, converting, and storing solar energy, including the development of efficient photovoltaic materials and catalysts for water splitting and fuel production. They also discuss the limitations of other carbon-neutral energy sources like nuclear fission and carbon capture and storage, and conclude that significant advances in basic science are necessary to fully realize the potential of solar energy for sustainable energy production.The article discusses the global energy consumption trends and the challenges in meeting future energy demands, particularly focusing on the need for carbon-neutral energy sources. It highlights the importance of solar energy as the largest renewable resource, capable of providing more energy in one hour than humans consume in a year. However, to be a significant primary energy source, solar energy must be stored and dispatched on demand, which can be achieved through chemical bonding in a process similar to photosynthesis. The authors emphasize the scientific and technological challenges involved in capturing, converting, and storing solar energy, including the development of efficient photovoltaic materials and catalysts for water splitting and fuel production. They also discuss the limitations of other carbon-neutral energy sources like nuclear fission and carbon capture and storage, and conclude that significant advances in basic science are necessary to fully realize the potential of solar energy for sustainable energy production.