Why Is Solar Energy Worth The Money

Solar Energy, Worth The Money or Not?

People should consider renewable energy sources for producing power because the earth is in danger of global warming from the use of grid power and fossil fuels. Over time, the climate and weather around the world has been drastically changing. The blame for this is on humans and the greenhouse gases released from burning fossil fuels when generating energy. Renewable energy sources like solar energy, wind energy, and hydropower could help to fix this problem. Solar energy is being considered as an alternative energy source, but probably should not be the exclusive energy source to rely on in the future. With the now obvious problem that our climate is changing, it is becoming more likely that the world

Solar PV (photovoltaic) technology is extremely expensive, especially in comparison to other renewable energy sources. For 2016 PV power plants, the EIA estimated that solar PV will cost $210.10 per megawatt-hour, which is twice, and even three times the amount of other energies like coal and natural gas (Nakaya). In addition to these high expenses, solar homeowners face surplus costs, including installation, paperwork with the local authorities, and possible surcharges (Biello). While these expenses are large, they have dropped, “by 80 percent in the past five years” (Crane), and are if not less, then equal to the current cost of grid power (Crane). With prices being reduced and the solar industry rising, job opportunities have been accumulating rapidly. Statistics show that, “between 2010 and 2011, jobs in the solar industry grew 6.8 percent, compared to overall US job growth of only 0.7 percent in that period” (Nakaya). It has been argued that solar energy would not be suitable as the world’s main energy source since the sun is only out periodically (“Darker Side of Solar”). However, others have reasoned that the energy produced would be so abundant, it could be saved and supply during times the sun isn’t physically there, and sent to places where there is less solar access (Nakaya). In order to preserve this energy, batteries would need to be produced and these batteries create a whole new