Solar energy rules the world. And these two stocks could rule the sector. Don't they?

The solar sector and its representatives are understandably under close scrutiny by investors who sense an opportunity. But how to find the right player? That's tough, but we can at least look together at two popular choices for investors in the sector.

Before introducing the companies themselves, it's important to focus on understanding the sector itself. Is it too late to jump on the bandwagon?

The solar energy sector

The solar energy sector faces several significant challenges. The first is the dependence on government incentives and subsidies, such as tax credits, to remain competitive. When these incentives end, the growth of the solar industry could slow sharply. Another pitfall is that solar panels have high upfront costs, so they can take many years to recover. The cost of energy storage also continues to limit the expansion of solar power.

Nevertheless, the solar energy sector has considerable appeal…