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
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