The Challenges in Transitioning from Traditional Energy to Solar Energy
When considering the current status of energy production in the United States, it is clear that the country still receives a majority of its energy from non-renewable resources, including oil and natural gas. Over the years, the country has shifted away from other forms of non-renewable resources like coal to more efficient resources like natural gas. However, now, the United States is truly beginning to dedicate more resources to developing its renewable resource infrastructure (also known as ‘green’ infrastructure). As this process continues, it is inevitable that there will be certain challenges that the country must overcome when transitioning from traditional energy to renewable energy such as solar energy.
Why is it hard to transition from traditional to solar energy?
One of the main challenges is motivating consumers to adopt this new technology. As it stands currently, powering homes, businesses, and even cars with solar or other renewable resources is far more expensive than using non-renewable fuel such as gasoline. Consumers are unlikely to spend this extra money for a vehicle that is run on renewable energy, despite the benefit to the environment. One possible solution to this problem is through a government subsidy of the renewable energy sector. If the government subsidizes the cost, then it is easier to market these electric or solar powered cars since there will be less of a difference between their consumer market value.
A second challenge in transitioning from traditional energy to solar energy is convincing investors to bankroll solar energy companies. Due to the aforementioned price difference and other factors, many investors are somewhat uncertain about investing in the green energy sector. Investing in traditional energy companies seems much more stable, so the question becomes how to make green energy more appealing to investors. Distributing statistics that relate to the impressive growth of the green energy sector in recent years might change minds and present the green energy sector as a more viable investment.
Acquiring land on which to build solar plants and other renewable energy structures is yet another challenge in transitioning from traditional energy to solar energy. Since acquiring land from private citizens can prove difficult and costly, it is often more efficient to work with local and state governments to acquire public land for such a purpose. This can present its own set of difficulties, however. Many permits are required to construct renewable energy structures and it can take quite a bit of time to obtain those. Beyond that, governments might have their own plans for the land that a company desires to build renewable energy structures on and resolving any conflict like that could delay the project even further.
A fifth challenge to overcome when discussing the issue of transitioning from traditional energy to solar energy is finding reputable businesses for interested consumers to work with on a regular basis. An unfortunate reality of developing business sectors is that there are those who seek to take advantage of the new industry and scam their potential customers. The most effective solution to this problem is perhaps the most obvious one as well: buying green energy products and services from reputable businesses. One common service in this industry is solar panel design and installation, a service offered by many reputable businesses including Kapital Electric.