Activity 3.2.3.1 - Solar Power and 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.))

Solar power in Georgia is on the rise despite a lack of mandates pushing for renewable energy use. The United States offers cheap good quality solar technology, as well as land to install the technology on. There has been an over 70% decrease of the cost of installing solar panels in the last decade (Hsu & Kelly 2019). The solar panel company Hanwha opened a production plant in Dalton, Georgia in 2018, shortly after a 30% tariff on solar panel imports was imposed (Hsu & Kelly 2019). This facility is providing solar panels for Facebook’s goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by the year 2020.

 

2. Diagnostic                                   

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

While there is a lack of state mandates encouraging the use of solar power, Georgia’s solar industry is booming. This is in part due to an overall decrease in the cost of installing solar panels. The introduction of a solar panel production plant also adds to the growth of solar energy in Georgia. Facebook’s large project is a major chunk of the solar boom in Georgia as well.

 

3. Cause and Effect                        

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

Because of the imposed tariff on solar panel imports, the company Hanwha opened a plant in the United States to avoid the tariff. Facebook takes this opportunity to make moves towards 100% renewable energy. The cheapening costs of installing solar panels is another cause for the uptick in solar power activity. Because of the increase in solar energy, sustainable land management is becoming an issue. Solar panels require clear pasture and quite a bit of space which in turn poses a threat to the land and ecosystem.

 

4. Priority                                        

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

The issue with the rise in solar energy is the sustainability of land use. To use solar panels, land must be clear to allow sunlight in. The surface area of the solar panels likely decrease the amount of sunlight reaching vegetation underneath. Large solar panel farms may harm the land they are built on.

 

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?)

We have been discussing forms of renewable and non renewable energy. Solar power is an example of renewable energy. In the future I hope to educate others on what they can do to help the environment, and it will be good to discuss all aspects of different forms of renewable energy. It is also important to see how policies and the economy impact the use of different energy sources.

 

6. Critical                                         

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

I don’t think the negative impacts of solar energy are talked about enough. While it is a wonderful form of renewable energy, we should take into consideration the land that is being used. I think I will start looking at the bigger picture when it comes to alternative energy.

 

References

Hsu, A., & Kelly, M. L. (2019, June 24). How solar grew in Georgia despite lack of mandates on renewable energy. National Public Radio.