Sherrah Adderley
Ms. Marjorie Downie
Eng 300
October 16, 2012
Should
the government invest in solar energy?
It is widely believe that solar
power is the best viable option to reduce the energy load. However, I do agree
that solar power and net metering can significantly reduce our fossil fuel
consumption, and provide financial relief to thousands of Bahamians .The
average Bahamian spends conservatively nine million dollars per year just to
heat our water.
Some people may argue
that, solar energy is only useful when it is sunny which contributes to high
energy cost. Therefore, during the night an expensive piece of solar equipment
can be useless. Renewable energy has to
e stores somewhere, it is not reliable as fusel fuel and discarded batteries
are full of sulfur acid and lead; while fossil fuel is stored chemically in the
hydrocarbon molecules
However, this cannot go any further
of being an immature claim as solar battery charges can help to reduce the
effects of this disadvantage. According
to Minister Deveaux, it is estimated that The Bahamas spends $9 million a year
on heating water.
Today, s average solar heater (40) gallon
can be purchase for approximately $1,500.00.
If portion of this $9million was allocated to purchasing solar water
heaters, this will reduce fuel imports (2.2 barrels of oil per year) reduce
green gasses (8000 pounds of co2 per heater per year), and it would alleviate
significantly cost to the consumer and reduce fossil fuels.
Opponents
may dispute that Even though, several
issues has been raised about the generation of greenhouse gases through the use
of fossil fuels, the fact remains that at this point in time, fossil fuels are
the single largest source of energy available in the world. Fossil fuel is an exhaustible source of
energy. Moreover, Even though eventually a stupendous increase in consumption
will diminish the source, currently new means of extraction and new locations
for fossil fuel deposits are being explored.
Proponents
of solar energy may asset that the key reasons solar energy can cut down
electricity bills because the electrical usage generated from the sun is free,
one can save a significant savings on their utilities expenses. While typical
energy is generated from fossil fuel which will run out one day. Investing in
solar power is the best alternative source to replace fossil fuel as the major
source because solar power is renewable at absolutely no costs to energy supply
infinitely.
The
Bahamas depends on imported petroleum products to satisfy 99% of its energy
demand. The risk to security of supply as a result of the infinite nature of
global oil and gas supplies is a reality. Our government must reduce fossil
fuel dependency, to maintain energy security and encourage the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions. It is essential to the long term security of the
Bahamas that we invest in solar energy.
Solar
power or other renewable solutions can
save the government millions of dollars currently spend on the import of oil to
generate energy. Moreover, over ,investing in solar energy may considerable reduce employment. These
Works Cited
Cass, S. (2009) solar power will
make a difference-eventually.
Technology Review, 112(5), 93-94.
Retrieved September 14th, 2012 from EBSCO
Crabtree, G, & Lewis, N.
(2008). Solar Energy conversion. AIP Conference Proceedings, 1044(1),
309-321.Retrieved September 14th, 2012 2009, from EBSCO
(10.1063/1.2993729)
Energy efficiency and environment
news: Practical uses of solar energy. (June, 1992) retrieved September 14,
2012, from hhttp://www.harmonyfl.com/lih/documents/EH328.pdf
Gies, E (2008). Solar industry
heats up. E- The Environment Magazine, 19(6), 21-24. Retrieved September 14th,
2012, from EBSCO
Livingston, D. Hollis, S. (2008).
How to tap solar energy. Mother Earth News, 72-76. Retrieved September 15th,
2012, from EBSCO
Smith. (2007) November 28) Bahamas
could set renewable energy pace. Bahamas Pundit, Retrieved September 15th,
2012, fromhttp://www.bahamaspundit.com/2012/09bahamas-could-s.html
Van Wyk, A. (2005, July19) Solae
energy advantages disadvantages. Ezine Articles. Retrieved September 16, 2012,
fromhttp://ezinearticles.com/?solar-energy-advanages-Disadvantages$id=5017
