Is solar energy a viable solution to reducing oil dependence?

Yes

10 of 17

by Mark Harrington

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Using solar energy more and reducing our dependence on oil is a big step to eliminating oil usage altogether. I believe that solar energy should be used more, but not enough to stop our usage of oil completely because even though solar energy is a great alternative to oil it is not practical enough for today's demand for energy. As solar energy becomes more and more practical though out the years we can reduce oil usage more each year and eventually make it so we are no longer dependent on oil and stop ruining our air supply. Because of certain problems solar energy is having a hard time catching on, one such problem is that is so expensive because of the PV systems. A PV system is made up of several cells to make up an module and even more to make an array and just one of these cells are rather expensive and you need quite a few to make up an module and even more to make up an array.

Burning oil is to me a primitive technique to generate energy; we are in the 21st century now where we are seeing more and more new technologies that by far surpass the technologies of the past century. A modern way of generating power would be to use something that doesn't release carbon monoxide into our air. Burning oil releases toxins such as carbon monoxide which can make it harder for blood to carry oxygen to the heart and other vital organs; this is something that we are putting into our air every day and is something to really think about. Eventually if we don't address this issue and find an alternative for using oil, in the up coming years a healthy jog through the park will be as healthy as smoking a cigarette.

Solar energy is an environmentally safe way of generating energy and does not release any toxins into the air, but is still rather expensive. There are companies right now that are trying to reduce the cost of solar energy from $3 a watt to only a fraction of the cost at only just a little over 30 cents which is cheaper than oil or coal. If we can make it cheaper we can make it more practical because right now solar energy is very expensive and I think is the only reason that it discourages politicians and other people from using it. Its cost is the only problem with solar energy and the only reason it is not practical. My over all opinion is that solar energy is a viable alternative to oil, it is more environmentally safe and is definitely a way to ensure a healthier future. I hope that we work out all the problems with solar energy.

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