Why Aren't We Solar?
Why aren't we solar yet? It's a question that I want awnsered. The government, locally or federally, could pass laws requiring newer homes, and newly built homes to have solar panels (in areas where this would be efficient). So why haven't they done so? Here is a look at some reasons why: Cost Solar panels are expensive . . . for now. Isn't everything expensive when its new and only so many people are manufacturing it? If more people started buying and using them, larger manufacturing plants would appear and the price would decrease. If people were willing and wanting to buy them, I am sure they would find some way to lower the cost. Not to mention that they have already decreased by 90% over the last 20 years (thanks to California, Germany, and Japan). Inexpensive Fossil Fuels Sunlight is free and readily plentiful, making it a great resource. Sure you have to have a solar panel, but relative to how much you will save in electric bills, the panel will seem cheap over time. Fossil Fuels are not free, although cheap. Coal produces 50% of our electricity across the nation. However, mining coal is dangerous and once its all gone, its gone. Natural Gas is another fossil fuel and it is not cheap. In fact, its price has dramatically increased over the past 6 years. It is used to generate elctricity during peak times, say when everyone is using their air conditioning and lets face it, the cost of fuel is up there. The Real Cost of Electricity Electricity is more expensive thatn you think because we are not paying all of the costs. Some of it is paid by the federal government through subsidies. Maybe they should be taking in the environmental cost as well. You may not know it but some power plants are not run all year round. They are used mainly during peak times, in the summer when AC use it high, and in the winter when heating use it high. Although they aren't used 100% of the time they still cost a lot of money to run. Solar Energy Policy There is no policy set by the government concerning solar energy. Other forms of enrgy have stable policies, solar energy needs the same treatment in order ofr it to be nation wide.
Currently, there is a 30% commercial tax credit for solar energy, but it is set to expire at the end of the year. How interesting. There are purchase agreements
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