Politics, Solar Panels, Advocacy Writing, and Energy

Solar Panels

Problem:

The world and the United States needs cleaner electricity/energy because of the increased threat of climate change and because of the rising cost of fossil fuels. At this particular moment it is especially crucial because of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. In addition, China has a major advantage in solar panel technology and in solar panel patents. Currently, oil prices are very high, and investing in clean energy technology will lessen the economic pressure on oil. It will drive gas and oil prices down over time, which will help the environment, help national security, and help Americans afford gas at the pump.

           Solar technology has reached the point that, especially with the Iran War currently raging on, solar power is the cheapest type of energy the Earth has ever had. Solar energy is now cheaper than gas, coal, and oil. Solar panels have proven to be possible underneath train tracks, which can produce up to 30% of all of Switzerland’s transportation energy needs in place on Switzerland’s train tracks; Switzerland has not implemented this program, but it is in the process of completing this program. If placed in the United States, it would have a similar positive benefit. The technology has been proven to work and be effective in trials. In addition, China is the world leader in solar technology, and it is a national security risk for the United States to be behind (2^nd) in solar technology. We must immediately develop and invest more in this technology. Recently, the Trump administration has invested over 5 billion dollars in battery development, which is important and something that I think will pay off for the United States national defense. Solar power is the most abundant form of clean energy. (Pappas, 2026, pg. 59). The price of solar panel electricity has gone down by almost 6 times since 2010. (Pappas, 2026, pg. 59)

Solution:

I recommend the United States federal government invest in solar technology to further bring down the price of solar panels and make them more efficient. In addition, they should make them more environmentally friendly. The main point of this is to make it more adaptable, help national security, lower prices, and lower dependence on foreign oil. I believe creating programs that help install solar panels is also helpful. A program that I suggest is a 20% of the cost of the solar panel tax credit for an approved solar panel over three years. I think this would encourage adoption of solar power. In addition, directly funding solar panel research and patenting to catch up with China. Keeping up with China is a national security problem. Green energy is the future and is now economically efficient.

Bibliography:

Penn, I. (2026, August 27). California lawmakers pass plug-in solar bill. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/27/business/energy-environment/california-legislature-plugin-solar.html

Pappas, S. (2026). Why solar power is taking over the world. Scientific American, 335(2), 56. https://doi.org/10.1038/scientificamerican092026-DMtFKI6qwgstBIG3ovDR5

Plumer, B. (2026, August 24). Trump shuns E.V.s and wind power, but he’s pouring billions into batteries. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/climate/trump-administration-batteries-data-centers.html

[Railway article author]. (2026, August 28). [Railway solar article title]. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/28/climate/solar-power-railway-train-tracks.html

Acosta, D., [additional authors]. (2026, August). Cuba is low on oil. Now, it's counting on solar, with China's help. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/world/china/cuba-china-solar-power-da5b3338