Activity 3.2.3.1 - Solar Power and Energy Policy

Solar Power & Energy Policy 

1. Exploratory 

Probe basic facts and knowledge found in the reading. (What research evidence supports _________?Type up several facts and basic knowledge from the reading. Relate this to what you find in other resources, prior activities for stronger scores.)) 

• The reading provided, “How Georgia Became a Surprising Bright Spot in The U.S. Solar Industry” by Andrea Hsu & Mary Louise Kelly gives the audience a glimpse of the largest solar panel assembly plant in the Western hemisphere. Solar panels are designed to absorb the sun rays as a source of energy for generating electricity. In depth, this source of energy is harnessed by using technologies to generate electricity, thermal energy, water heating, and solar architecture. According to the article it states, “the Dalton plant runs 24/7, employing 600 American workers who operate the high-tech assembly lines imported by Hanwha from Korea” (Hsu & Kelly 1). Not only does it allow good opportunities for our environment, but it allows the opportunity for an individual to have a career in this field and manage how we generate our sources from. The article also describes how Georgia does not have the same state level mandates as they do in the Southeast. Which focuses on the propelled growth of renewable energy in other parts of the country. Also allowing you to view in depth how solar energy and energy policy take a toll not only within our government but also our environment. 

 

2. Diagnostic 

Probe motives or causes. (Why?Tell your reader why this occurs. Explain the causes in detail.) 

• One of the reasons as to why developing one of the largest solar plants in the U.S. could be important for our environment, is because over the years as progression matured the industrialization is now able to deliver competitive energy prices. According to the article, “It also helps to have supply lines close by. De Vries, who worked on his first solar project in Georgia in 2013, says they used to ship materials from elsewhere in the country. That has changed with the opening of the Dalton assembly plant, among other suppliers that have cropped up in recent years” (Hsu & Kelly 29). Which allows more sources going into the construction to be provided locally either within states or surrounding states. It is important for businesses by shortening their lead time and costly revenue has decreased tremendously within energy saving for consumers. By benefiting consumers and their materials to create a lead on solar energy, allows revenue to be at an all-time high. Progress is being made throughout solar energy and how beneficial development within renewable resources allows these opportunities in different states. 

 

3. Cause and Effect 

Causal relationships between ideas, actions, or events. (If __________ occurs, what happens?) 

• If more consumption of solar energy occurs, the benefits can positively impact our environment as well as containing financial stability in a family household. Solar panels contain no moving parts and produce no noise when providing renewable energy. Overall solar power is economical and is suitable for remote areas that are connected to energy grids. Solar energy is also naturally sustainable than fossil fuel energy sources and is more environmentally sustainable. According to an article, “Is Solar Energy Sustainable” by Brian Barth explains, “As a way of converting the sun's energy into electrical energy, solar panels make use of the single most sustainable resource on the planet - the light of the sun” (Barth 1). By developing the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to develop and meet their own needs. These are actions, events, and ideas that will have beneficial stability for the future, as well as renewable resource systems. 

 

 

4. Priority 

Seek to identify the most important issue. (What is the most important issue?) 

• The most critical issue in the U.S Solar Industry is how reliable it is, provides green jobs, and economically positive. According to an article, “Advantages of Solar Energy” by Nick Gromicko solar energy is a considerable advantage over conventional energy systems. The reason as to why solar energy can be considered one of the most critical issues in our resources throughout our environment is because it is prone to be virtually immune to potential failings of utility companies. The article states, “solar energy prevents mainly in the form of political or economic turmoil, terrorism, natural disasters, or brownouts due to overuse” (Grimicko 1). Which can lead to better outcomes for our future of energy and how it is obtained. Another prominent issue about solar energy is how it provides green jobs. Green jobs are jobs in businesses that produce goods or services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources. The production of solar panels for domestic use has grown tremendously, providing employment in research. Manufacturing and sales. Lastly, solar energy can provide an economic advantage to our environment. Of course, the expense for installing solar panels is costly, but once installed the benefits of saving so much on energy bills is worth it. All these critical issues and outcomes portray good to our environment and how we contribute effectively.  

 

5. Application 

Probe for relationships and connect theory to practice. (How does this apply to you? How is this related to culture as we have studied so far?) 

• Throughout this environmental science course, it has made me knowledgeable of positive outcomes that need to be engaged throughout our environment. It relates to culture and more to what we have studied so far because it values the priorities that need to be engaged and well thought out to make our environment a better place. This applies to myself by allowing me to be a knowledgeable student and learning how the environment works and what I can do as a person in society to take care of our environment. Learning more than I have ever known about the environment and the beneficial and non-beneficial outcomes that can be portrayed within society allows me to respond to how it will apply to me. Not only will this apply to myself, but I will engage and allow my knowledge to be portrayed within others to remind themselves how important our environment truly is. Overall, the information studied so far and as of now allowed me to connect, re-evaluate, and pinpoint the important topics that will have an impact for the economic future ahead.  

 

6. Critical 

Analyze how this challenges your thinking/assumptions. (How did this change your thinking? Did it? Why?) 

• Once I had finished reading the article and viewing the short brief video, my knowledge on solar panels and the distribution of the U.S. solar industry in Georgia grew fonder as to why they have produced over 500 solar panels. It not only broadened my perspective on how this can be influential to our environment, but how it will also give back to our community within valued financial job opportunities. By creating one of the largest solar panels in the U.S. a lot of developmental thinking must go into this process. Which had me thinking as to how it will benefit not only the environmental process but also how it will affect society and their community in a positive way. It allowed me to process the information to realize how the industry is produced and what benefits will allow it to obtain for the future starting in the Georgia state. Overall, solar power and energy policy offer considerable advantages over conventional energy systems. 

 

 

 

Work Cited: 

Barth, Brian. “Is Solar Energy Sustainable?” LoveToKnow, LoveToKnow Media, 18 July 2019, https://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/energy-efficiency/is-solar-energy-sustainable 

Grimicko, Nick. “Advantages of Solar Energy.” InterNACHI®, International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, 3 May 2016, https://www.nachi.org/advantages-solar-energy.htm 

Hsu, Andrea, and Mary Louise Kelly. “How Georgia Became a Surprising Bright Spot in The U.S. Solar Industry.” NPR, NPR, 24 June 2019, https://www.npr.org/2019/06/24/733795962/how-georgia-became-a-surprising-bright-spot-in-the-u-s-solar-industry