Solar Energy. Daniel Sullivan. Renewable energy has been the topic of conversation for subsequent years and will be for

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1 1 Solar Energy Daniel Sullivan Renewable energy has been the topic of conversation for subsequent years and will be for the foreseeable future, and for good reason. In the year, 2015, the world total primary energy consumption was roughly found to be 542 quadrillion Btu (British Thermal Units), the U.S contributing 97 quadrillion Btu to the total, which is an astounding 18%. The U.S consumes a seemingly insurmountable amount of energy every day. Most of our daily tasks contribute to our massive energy footprint. Simply running one 60 watt light bulb for 6 hours a day for a year will amass 131 kilowatts of energy. Now, imagine an entire state, such as Rhode Island constantly running lightbulbs, furnaces, heating systems, and other appliances. Due to energy's current state of availability, it is expensive. But with renewable energy, such as solar energy, paying bills relating to heat or light may be a thing of the past. Solar energy is energy or power obtained through the harnessing of the energy of the sun's rays. The utilization of the sun's rays can be done through solar panels which can convert the rays to energy that can be used to power light and heat buildings. I propose, Rhode Island should pass a state wide mandatory solar panel legislature that forces towns to have a certain number of solar panels per capita. Solar energy and the use of solar panels may solve our energy consumption problem and let us continue to innovate and create a better world. Not only would the integration of solar panels in Rhode Island benefit us, but the rest of the world as well as we would be creating a more cost efficient, greener, and greater world for generations after us.

2 2 At first glance one downfall of a proposed solar panel plan in Rhode Island would be money. Currently solar panels are relatively expensive and out of reach for most middle to lower class families which make up a large percentage of Rhode Island's population. At an average size of 5000 watts, solar panel installation per home is roughly around the $15,000 mark (Matasci). This is expenditure is fiscally unviable for many people of Rhode Island. But due to its beneficial nature to the state and wellbeing of Rhode Island and possibly the world, it is a crucial purchase that is imperative to the furtherment of our human race. The state government of Rhode Island could either apply for a federal grant concerning the solar panels or could find money in their budget to help purchase and install panels for those who are deemed unable or unfit to pay for them. Taxes can then be subtly raised to pay back the government for their fiscal aid. Geographically, Rhode Island is an ideal area for the use of solar power, hot summers and the sun is present throughout the year providing energy year round. This means that the solar panels will pay off quicker and lead to profit for the state and the individual, "for a 5kw system with a basic cost of $19,750 $20,000, the pay back time could be reduced from 15 years to as little as 6 9 years"(energy Informative). After the initial investment, reduced energy costs and cheaper bills can lead to a great financial gain for an individual. Again, this process and investment not only provides cheap energy but cleaner and renewable energy to keep the world safer and more habitable for future generations. As one can see money and the financial aspect of solar panels, with clear communication and cooperation between the state and its residents, is clearly not an issue. Solar power is one of the few energy sources that is clean, green, and renewable. Finding a financially and environmentally viable source of energy has been a challenge the past few decades but as of recently, solar power energy has prevailed. However, most of the industrial world runs on fossil fuel as their main source of energy. Overuse of fossil fuels can have extremely dangerous

3 3 and lethal consequences. These fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gases. The burning of fossil fuels creates pollution and air contamination that can lead to lung cancer and other harmful and lethal diseases, "The gravest immediate risk is the traditional air pollution that comes from the combustion of coal, oil, and natural gas, which kills 20,000 or more Americans a year, and impairs the health of hundreds of thousands"(think Progress). The continuation of the use of fossil fuels will ultimately catch up with the world, destroying our air and the people breathing it. Also, there is a finite amount of fossil fuels on planet Earth. The amount of coal and oil is only diminishing as industry and transportation rapidly use up the remaining source. And due to its finite amount, the price or cost of fossil fuels is immense and will only continue to rise as the sources themselves dwindle. It is obvious that fossil fuels are no longer a viable source of energy to propel the world into a greater future. The only alternative is renewable energy, this may include wind power, geothermal energy, hydropower, and especially solar power. With current technology the capture of the sun's rays is extremely simple and easy. The panels have provided the world with the tools to replace fossil fuels and their dangerous aftermath. As explained earlier, renewable green energy, is cost efficient and has an infinite and never ending source, such as the sun or tides. Renewable energy has only proven to benefit society and sees nothing close to the negative repercussions of its fossil fuel counterpart. Green or renewable energy is the future and solar panels could help further our society. Solar power is a safe and reliable way to achieve a greener lifestyle resulting in a safer and environmentally friendly world while still retaining all the benefits mentioned previously. With the implementation of solar panels and the use of solar energy into the community and the world, there is an infinite number of possibilities for a better future. Firstly, are previously stated, solar panels provide an ultimate payoff and create a surplus of money. This money in circulation due to the panels, can be used to fund new projects around the state to create a better

4 4 and more well rounded community. Projects could be, but are not limited to, building parks, bike paths, cleaning up the bay, or new after school activities. The introduction of solar panels to the Rhode Island society could be greatly beneficial to the community as a whole. Also, currently, the government is supporting the application of solar and green energy and is even offering tax breaks and performance based incentives for the generation of clean power, "The federal government provides a solar tax credit, known as the investment tax credit (ITC), that allow homeowners and businesses to deduct a portion of their solar costs from their taxes"(energy Sage). Also, Rhode Island specifically has passed legislature that protects solar panel owners for high property value taxes for having a new energy production system, "When you install a solar power system, your home goes up in value by quite a bit... No one should ever be penalized for converting to renewable energy, a sentiment with which the Rhode Island legislature agrees. That s why they passed a property tax law ensuring that your solar power system will never be assessed at any higher value than the equivalent standard, non renewable energy production system"(solar Power Rocks). As one can see Rhode Island is already doing many things to encourage and incentivize the use of solar panels and renewable energy production units. This again will lead to a surplus in money for the individuals and residents in Rhode Island creating a smaller divide between classes and a less divided state. Finally, it can bring the community and the world together to collaborate and cooperate on one mission and goal to produce a clean and green source of energy to power our never stopping world. A sense of brotherhood could be created to bring the world closer together and create one community. That is what the power of solar panels and solar energy could do for the state, and what it could do for the world. The state of Rhode Island, much like the world, is currently flawed. However, flaws are motivation for innovation and change. These things can lead to world changing ideas that can influence history and life as we know it. Change provides the basis for a new beginning, a

5 5 beginning where the problems and conflicts of the world are solved. Without this motivation for change, life becomes menial or meaningless. But with it, an opportunity to spark a revolution that could inspire millions to make their own change. This is what is hoped to be achieved with the utilization of solar energy. Solar energy and the use of solar panels has the potential to alter the way the world is viewed. The energy crisis may be avoided and solved, leaving us to fix and conquer another world of other vital issues in the world. Renewable and renewable energy is the way of the future and the sooner Rhode Island realizes and acts on it the sooner the world can become a better place. Solar power is cost efficient, it is green and renewable, and has the potential to alter communities for the better. When utilized correctly, solar power truly has the ability and potential to change the future of Rhode Island, and especially, the world.

6 6 Citation Page Matasci, Sara Average Cost of Solar Panels in the U.S. EnergySage. EnergySage Solar News Feed, EnergySage, 16 Feb. 2018, news.energysage.com/how much does the average solarpanel installation cost in the u s/. Solar Energy Basics. Solar Energy Basics NREL, solar.html. SunPower. How Does Solar Energy Work SunPower Solar Blog. SunPower United States, SunPower, 20 Oct. 2017, us.sunpower.com/blog/2017/10/25/how does solar energy work/. How much of the worlds energy does the United States use? American Geosciences Institute, 12 Feb. 2018, issues/faq/how much worlds energydoes united states use. How Long to Pay Off my Solar Panels? Energy Informative, energyinformative.org/long paysolar panels/. Solar panel incentives, rebates & tax breaks. EnergySage, incentives and rebates/ Guide to Rhode Island Home Solar Incentives, Rebates, and Tax Credits. Solar Power Rocks, solarpowerrocks.com/rhode island/. Energy's greatest health risk comes from fossil fuels precisely why we need to hit the pause button on nuclear power. ThinkProgress, thinkprogress.org/energys greatest health riskcomes from fossil fuels precisely why we need to hit the pause button 30f2458cbc85/.