More solar energy reaches the equatorial regions than the polar regions because the equatorial regions

. have days with more hours of light.
. have more vegetation to absorb sunlight.
. are covered by a greater area of land.
. receive sun rays closest to vertical

The answer is that the equatorial regions receive sun rays closest to the vertical (direct rays) because of their position relative to the equator where the tilting of the earth only mildly affects the climate. The climate along the equator  changes very little through out the year and has summer like conditions for  most of the year.

However the other regions may receive direct sun rays but for far more limited periods.  In the months of July and August (summer months), the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun and receives the most  direct  rays. The opposite occurs in December and January when it is tilted away from the sun and thus winter sets in, whereas the southern hemisphere is at this time tilted toward the sun and receives the most direct sun rays.