I agree with most of what you say, the only reason I just CAN NOT accept solar is the only reason it is "cost effective" is the subsidies that were available and now are drying up. The HUGE strip mines and processing to create these panels is just as bad as the mines we use for coal. BOTH produce about the same amount of pollution we just shift it to china with solar..
My point is really, we spend BILLIONs no TRILLIONs on 2 concepts and avoid the hundreds of potentials. As you pointed out, each region has it's own natural energy that could be harnessed. Wind doesn't work for a city, just like wave/water power probably won't work well in kansas! We have to be smarter about regional capture of local energy sources. My big issue with solar is you just get so little back for how much damage it causes the earth.