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OUR SOLAR FUTURE
The results of the Industrial Revolution changed the face of our
planet, the pace of human progress, and now looking back we see that
its ultimate price may be our own environment. The Earth's average
surface temperature rose by around 0.6°C during the 20th century and
evidence is getting stronger that most of the global warming over the
last 50 years is attributable to human activities, such as burning
fossil fuels and deforestation, which cause emissions of carbon
dioxide (CO2) and other 'greenhouse' gases ( Ref. 1). While surely our
current research only has a small part of the picture, even the known
environmental impact of our current 'civilized' lifestyles shows that
a change is becoming necessary for the long-term survival of our
planet.
While many politicians and critics still swear there is no
greenhouse effect, the Department Of Energy (Ref. 2) and energy
companies like BP (Ref. 3) are already moving toward renewable
resources. Currently the U.S. is a large contributor to the pollution
of the world, but has refused to cooperate with world coalitions
concerned about the global environment such as the Kyoto Protocol
which is currently spearheaded by the European Union (Ref. 1).
Currently Japan far outspends us in Photovoltaic technology
development (Ref. 4). As the worlds only recognized "super-power"
shouldn't we be the first to acknowledge there is a problem and move
forward in upgrading to a new energy paradigm?
Solar power has long been sidelined as not being a viable primary
source of energy, but as with any technology, the more we develop it
the more efficient and inexpensive it becomes. The technology is here,
and is within the consumer range. There are currently companies that
work with architects to fit homes with solar options from the ground
up, or retrofitting existing dwellings. Some are self sustaining with
battery backup, some actually feed power back into the grid. (Ref. 5)
As of 1996 there were already more than 100,000 residential solar
powered homes and businesses completely off the grid. (Ref. 6)
Companies like BP are leading the way by opening solar programs for
residential customers (Ref. 3) with incentives of up to 50% off for
those in overextended energy areas such as California.
The challenge thusly comes from the economics of conversion. As
with the oil-to-hydrogen challenge there are issues with current
energy companies finding a feasible way to be a part of the
conversion. Companies already struggling to supply an ever expanding
customer base with continuous energy from aging power plants should
welcome such a conversion. These businesses and agencies would see
immediate benefits such a new system would bring. Structures, vehicles
and the companies themselves would become primarily self sustaining
from the energy level up.
So where does this leave companies like the Jacksonville Electric
Authority (JEA)? Large companies like JEA can profit, as most will in
such a conversion, by selling and maintaining solar equipment.
Electricians would certainly need to install, service, and upgrade
systems. The same electricians can be reeducated with a whole new set
of codes and ordinances that comes with this technology. Petroleum
resources will still have their share of the energy pie with the mass
amounts of rubber and plastic needed for the new equipment. The steel
industry should also jump quickly on the solar bandwagon considering
all the wire and metal materials that will be needed to equip
thousands to millions of homes and buildings with solar power. As with
any business, all affected by this refocusing to natural resources
would need to find their own new relevance. With the many challenges
of conversion this would need to be a concerted effort to leave no
company behind. This may be critical to a swift and broad reaching
change.
The challenges we face though pale in comparison to the amount that
our culture and civilization would benefit by becoming more
independently empowered. Solar is a natural answer to increasing
national security. Why should we continue to leave ourselves so
vulnerable? The Department Of Energy can help the Department Of
Defense by making many, if not eventually all dwellings, streetlamps,
and road signals more self sufficient by making them independently
powered. Making our cities solar makes our cities more secure.
Security from blackouts means security from attacks on power plants
and the chaos and riots that can happen in a pitch black city.
Equipping large sun exposed surface areas of new and old
skyscrapers with solar paneling and perhaps a large building with
battery backups can create a reserve for the rest of a city in
emergency. Hypothetically, what if we added these panels to the
massive areas of the new structure where the World Trade Center once
stood? The new grounds of the former WTC could become a self
sufficient emergency center for all of Manhattan.
With world conflict growing over natural resources it is time to
find a solution that does not require us to bore into the earth for or
that once refined will not continuously damage our environment. The
time for a solar powered and renewable energy revolution is far
overdue. It is time to upgrade and save our nation and our planet. A
superpower should use its power and resources to bring relevant
technologies and truly positive solutions to the global community.
Solar energy could strengthen our democracy and create a security net
by and of the people. Let us, right here, right now be a beacon for a
brighter world. Let us advance boldly toward our solar future.
Solar References and Resources
Ref. 1 : Europa : Climate Change : Kyoto Resources
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/climat/home_en.htm
Ref. 2 : Department of Energy : Renewable Energy
http://www.eere.energy.gov/
Ref. 3 : BP Solar Program
www.bpsolar.com
Ref. 4 : D.O.E. : National Center For Photovoltaics
http://www.nrel.gov/ncpv/
Ref. 5 : Solar Design Associates
www.solardesign.com
Ref. 6 : Photovoltaic Power Resource Site
www.pvpower.com
Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology (CREST)
www.crest.org/solar/
International Energy Agency (IEA)
http://www.iea-pvps.org/
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