Cheap Solar, but at what Cost?

Arizona company First Solar posted the first ever $1 / Watt solar panels the other day, well ahead of the industry average. The question on my mind, though, is whether this matters at all. Solar panels are poised to provide such an infinitesimal portion of the overall energy needs of the planet that I'm wondering whether a larger, game-changing solar advance needs to be made.

Incremental is wonderful, but honestly if we want a solution that will save the environment and also let us provide enough energy for us to grow effectively in the future, maybe it's time we turn away from solar panels and to larger, more effective collector systems that will create energy for the grid in its entirety.

Or maybe I'm entirely wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.