Public+Policy+-+Alternative+Energy


 * Alternative Energy**

Solar Energy  Solar Energy is known as one of the most energy efficient forms of alternative energy. Solar energy is collected in solar panels, which are made of individual solar cells that collect the sun’s rays to produce electricity. A well maintained solar power system can last up to twenty years, and can produce energy enough to last an entire week. Although over 1.5 million households run on solar energy, the problem that keeps people from switching to solar energy is the cost of the solar panels. The average cost for the average household runs around $16,000 to $18,000. If the a house is larger than average the cost can run between $35,000 and $45,000, and for the people who prefer for the solar panels to blend in with the house to hide them from view the cost can reach between $56,000 to $72,000. Many people are scared away with the prices of solar systems and would prefer to pay high cost on electricity. The only difference is that solar systems are a onetime cost and electricity bills come in every month for life. Another problem besides the cost of solar panels is that the government is not doing enough to lower the cost of solar energy to increase the amount of people who are interested. The only thing convincing the few people to go solar is the high cost of electricity bills. If the average sized family were to upgrade to solar energy, their average cost of an electricity bill would be around $1.50 a month to even no cost at all. Although these minor problems exist between the promotion and expansion of Solar Energy, there are many organizations and interest groups who are promoting the use of solar energy to many communities within the United States.   Interest groups like Solar Sebastol, SEPA, Energy SIG, and Solar Electric Interest Group (SEIG) spend millions of dollars each year to provide information on the benefits of solar energy and expand the usage of solar technologies. These organizations promote and provide rebates and tax cuts to help ease the cost of solar panels for people who are interested in converting to solar energy. The government’s department of energy provided just this year over $117.6 million dollars to accelerate the widespread commercialization of solar technologies. This expands the production of solar panels but does not bring the cost down. If the demand were to increase, there could be a possible chance that the price would decrease. Another problem that contributes to the high cost of these panels are the materials that are used. Solar Cells are very expensive to produce and if there was a different way to produce them cheaply this would bring the cost to a more affordable price. So if the demand were to increase the price for a solar system could cost around $4,000 to $6,000, but if a different method were to be used to manufacture the solar cells used in solar panels the cost could go down between $3,000 to $4,000. A method that the government could use is to issue cards towards the discount or a limit of one or two free panels, similar to the DTV card program that was used to go to Digital Television, which could possibly attract more people. Although many states give similar incentives the benefits of having a solar system are really great which usually pay for themselves in the long run.   There are many benefits with the ownership of a solar technology. Among them are the Tax deductions that people can get every year for as long as they have that solar panels. Up to $3,000 dollars in tax cuts could be issued. These financial incentives from the government are great help in paying for the solar panels. The Department of Energy proposed and passed a law stating that if a person collects more energy with their solar panels than what they would use, that person can sell their excess power to a utility or electric company, and can “reduce or eliminate” your electricity bills and your need for power at night. Even major energy companies are producing rental plans that can allow you to avoid the cost of solar panels. This is for people to prefer to rent them than to pay the large cost. Besides these incentives, using solar energy causes no pollution when generated and will never run out or face the rising and falling cost like oil. Using solar power reduces the amount of fossil fuels that are burnt every day, and decreases greenhouse gases. Two of the greatest advantages towards owning a solar panel system are that they can be installed in any remote location and are practically maintenance free without recurring cost. In the long run solar panels pay for themselves and are beginning to become a part of many new subdivisions and vehicles that are being made.   Construction for the first ever subdivision to run on solar panels has begun in North Houston. This subdivision known as “Discovery at Spring Trails” will contain 3,000 homes ranging between 2,500 and 6,000 square-foot will run completely off of solar energy. The owner and designer of this //green// community stated that homeowners would save $600 to $1,500 on annual utility bills while also protecting the environment from pollution. People who decide to purchase a home in this community will also receive many benefits from the city including tax deductions. The third generation Toyota Prius is also integrating solar panels to the top of their vehicle which could be used to power the air conditioning without having to turn on the car and using up fuel. The Prius is already known for being a //green// car and installing solar panels would only make it even more earth friendly, but not cost friendly. Toyota has estimated the Prius with integrated solar panels to cost around $22,000 which would be a big problem for them. Not many people would pay that much money for a Prius. Although this is a problem to the manufactures there are countries that are ahead of the game when it comes to solar energy and their governments put in a great deal of money to promote the usage of the form of alternative energy.   The leading country in solar energy is Germany. Well-known for their highly European engineered vehicles, Germany is now known for containing the most solar energy plantations in the world. Out of the 15 solar energy plants in Germany, the largest one is located in Espenhain and is known as the Geosol Solar Plant. The German government has been expanding the use of solar technologies in the country that all the 15 providers of solar energy within the country produces zero emissions into the air. It was reported last year that half of the world’s solar electricity was produced by Germany and remains firm on staying the world largest solar energy producer and leader. Germany exports over 15 percent of worldwide sales of solar panels. The government has put so much money into this industry that they are even giving a certain amount of time for major electricity companies to begin integrating the use of solar panels and making small businesses and companies use solar energy. The German Government has passed their predictions on solar energy productions; they expected to reach less than 0.5 percent by 2010 and are at 3 percent at the moment in solar energy production. Although Germany leads in solar energy production in the world, in the United States, Austin, Texas in the number one solar producing and manufacturing center within the country. The minor problem that is waiting to be solved is lowering the cost of solar panels so that more people would upgrade towards a more environmentally friendly form of energy.   There are many benefits that come with the usage of solar energy in a household including tax deductions that could help with the cost of the solar panels. The many interest groups that promote solar technologies are a great contributor toward a cleaner environment and also help people who are interested in solar energy for their homes. Unless the government or department of energy does something to lower the cost of the solar panels, many people are going to refrain from this form of energy. The problem is due to the high cost of solar cells, and the government should make the manufactures find a way to make them cheaper just like they push car companies to make cars that are fuel efficient and produce less emissions. Although the government is slowly applying these methods people who are really interested in this form of energy should consider all the benefits that come with the ownership of a solar technology.   Solar Sebastopol [|www.solarsebastopol.com] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 14pt;">SEPA <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 14pt;">[|www.solarelectricpower.org] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 14pt;">Energy SIG <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 14pt;">[|www.mitforumcambridge.org/EnergySIG] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 14pt;">Solar Electric Interest Group (SEIG) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 14pt;">[|www.solarbuzz.com/news/newgovt.htm] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 14pt;">