Can’t we use clean coal instead of solar?

Coal (even ‘clean’ coal) is one of the dirtiest fossil fuels, and is responsible for many health and environmental problems. The more coal we burn, the more damage we do, as it increases the levels of mercury, smog and carbon pollution. 

On the other hand, solar energy is clean and renewable, generating energy and creating zero emissions - no smoke, no smells and no air pollution. We don’t have to mine it from our natural resources, and as long as the sun’s around, we’ve got free power for ever.