Squashing A Needed Technology

I have written in this space many times that we need new forms of energy. Energy types that are renewable, readily in supply and also help consumers discipline their use of energy. A careful consumer is not a wasteful consumer. Not wasting energy or other resources that produce that energy protects our shared environment from contamination and despoliation.

One of the bright stars in energy production is solar. Solar panels covering roof spaces on homes and office buildings and manufacturing facilities, produce energy consumed in those structures. For homes, solar power may be enough to meet all the needs of a typical family. Many homes may actually overproduce energy and ‘sell’ it back to the local power company.

Other forms of environmentally friendly energy include wind power, thermal pumps circulating water in subterranean conduits. Some of these alternative energy sources are more efficient than others, and some are much cheaper to invest in the installation of new equipment to make it all possible.

Solar power, however, relies on solar panels. Because this energy technology has been around for a few decades, engineering techniques and research have increased solar efficiency as well as lowered the cost of solar panels. America manufactures these panels, and also buys panels from foreign manufacturers.

In a stunning move, the white house occupant levied a 30% tariff on solar panels. The industry is reeling with this change and determining how badly it will damage the industry. While they are doing that, the obvious winners are providers of fossil fuel energy sources. The big electrical power companies and combines win; so do all oil companies who foist burning oil and natural gas as prime energy sources. Doing so makes their products and commodities more valuable.

It also competes with other, promising non-polluting energy sources and their development. Solar energy will be hampered by the tariff; oil companies will gain profits in the meantime. But of more importance is the loss of momentum going forward to find reliable energy sources that will eventually replace oil-based power generation. Those supplies are finite and will run out one day. Meanwhile they pollute the planet with by-products of burning fossil fuels.

Did trump take this step intentionally to help the oil industry? Did he do it to upset the progress of the solar and alternative fuel industries? Why would he do this sort of thing? What benefit does this gain him or others?

Perhaps this was a mistake, a simple miscalculation? The donald does make mistakes; we have plenty of evidence of that. But he rarely admits a mistake and leaves us wondering what the motivation behind the action is. That causes the rest of us to come up with the answers. So much better and more efficient if he would just tell us.

Meanwhile, the search for reliable, ready and cheaper energy continues. One day trump will not have power; we need to be ready for that. Let’s find fresh new energy sources via physics. And don’t let down our guard on solar, wind and thermal energy projects.

January 25, 2018