Everyone wants solar power. There’s not a home owner in the country who would not welcome a cheap efficient home solar energy system. But solar energy has a long way to go before it meets the efficiency and economic viability of conventional energy generation methods. Yes, solar energy has made impressive strides over the last decade and hopefully more is soon to follow. But keeping in mind that solar power accounts for less that 0.01% of the country’s total power generation, even if the production of solar power goes up 10 times, it will still be insignificant. For solar energy in general and home solar energy systems to become a viable option, a lot more money has to be spent on research and a great deal of government support is required. But its just not there.
Energy policies are made in Washington DC and say what you will; industry lobbyists play a huge role in this process. Those promoting the interests of the nuclear, coal, gas and oil industries have tens of millions of dollars at their disposal to have laws that benefit their industries passed. The solar power industry can, at best spend tens of thousands. Guess who will get the favorable laws passed?
Countries like Germany and Japan have made huge strides in solar power generation. And it’s not because they have more sunlight! Its because the government has passed laws supporting solar power and supported the industry to the extent that economies of scale have brought the cost of home solar energy systems far below those in the USA.
In this country, we feel that government intervention is not to be encouraged and the best results come when the markets are left to themselves. The current flood of bank failures, job losses and foreclosures seem to raise questions about that attitude. Solar energy is not a matter of economics alone; it is an issue of national importance and needs to be treated as such.
There are however some signs of hope. President Obama has shown that he is not unduly sympathetic to the oil, gas and coal industries. His administration has clearly stated that green technologies are a priority for them.
Some progressive states like Hawaii and California are not waiting for the Federal government to start moving on promoting solar energy and are taking up the matter on their own. If things go as planned in these and other such states, 5 years from now a large number of homes will have home solar energy systems installed and the states’ dependence on fossil fuels will have reduced significantly.
People who have installed home solar energy systems are so happy with the results that they are the most vociferous in promoting the adoption of solar energy at all levels. Their small but vocal lobby is growing and people are beginning to hear what they have to say.
But until our lawmakers understand that the promotion of solar and other renewable energy sources is not a matter of politics and vested interests but one of national security and the future prosperity of the country, progress will be slow.