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Gino Tateo
Mr. Burchett
Government 3
22 October 2015
Alternative Energy Act

The history behind energy has a long controversial background. Fuels are something we
burn to release energy in a chemical reaction called combustion. The term global warming has
stuck around for years, it some alerted some and slipped by others. Global warming and
pollution in fact is a problem that needs to be dealt with. For years the NREL has been
researching for a renewable energy and there are much better options than our current ways. A
large percentage of the US fuels happen to be oil and coal. Year on end the U.S drills for oil and
soon there will be a point when there is nothing left to drill. Fossil fuels are relied too much on
and it would be best if alternative justifications were implemented. Tax credits should be granted
to those who install solar panels on their residence. Tax credits promotes homeowners to install
panels boosting solar. Helping finance and granting tax credits will allow business growth and
inevitably make jobs. Along with the growth, we would also be able to see a decline in pollution.
Global warming is a controversial topic. Without a doubt people will deny it but it is
proven and there are facts to back it up. Scientific evidence for warming of the climate system
is unequivocal.(Chlingeman, Sophie. "Observed Changes). Meaning that the the climate is
changing without a doubt. There are many factors contributing to climate change. Some of these
factors happen to be the coal and oil being burned. Nasa Global climate change website provides
information about the basics and details of this ongoing threat, The heat-trapping nature of

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carbon dioxide and other gases was demonstrated in the mid-19th century. Their ability to affect
the transfer of infrared energy through the atmosphere is the scientific basis of many instruments
flown by NASA. There is no question that increased levels of greenhouse gases must cause the
Earth to warm in response.("Climate Change: How Do We Know?"). Carbon dioxide and other
gasses emitted from our fossil fuels will trap in heat and cause warming trends. Along with
climate change global warming can cause change in weather patterns and a rise in sea level. As it
looks this is a very important issue because global warming will cost much more in the end than
an alternative energy program.
The point of the Alternative Energy Act of 2015 is to explore other fuels and ways of
producing energy and pursuing the best option. The first option that has been around for a long
time is wind power, Societies have taken advantage of wind power for thousands of years. The
first known use was in 5000 BC when people used sails to navigate the Nile River. Persians had
already been using windmills for 400 years by 900 AD in order to pump water and grind grain.
Windmills may have even been developed in China before 1 AD, but the earliest written
documentation comes from 1219. Cretans were using "literally hundreds of sail-rotor windmills
[to] pump water for crops and livestock.(Davison, Alan.Wind power). As stated here wind
power is has been around for a while and it's use has benefited early on and is still a big factor
today. These include Biomass Energy, Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Geothermal
Energy,Hydroelectric Energy sources. Combined with the use of recycling, the use of clean
alternative energies such as the home use of solar power systems will help ensure man's survival
into the 21st century and beyond.(Davison, Alan.Wind power). There are few different
Alternatives that offer clean cheap energy according to this sources. Out of these the most
reasonable one would have to be solar. Solar offers Pretty much unlimited energy for a very low

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price. Not only is it cheap and basically unlimited but has little to no pollution. Solar
technologies continues to grow, currently researchers are perfecting a way of connecting solar
from residential to the electrical grid. NREL research addresses the technical challenges
associated with integrating PV technologies into a stable grid.(NREL: Solar integration).
Money and time is need to explore new and better horizons but when common it will benefit.
One of the most common ideas associated with alternative fuels is money and jobs.
Oppositionists of pursuing solar technology and or alternative energy will often state that to
many people would lose their jobs if an alternative fuel was oppressed. Although this statement
is not completely wrong it is misinterpreted. Oil and coal will not be replaced for quite some
time. Even without losing jobs in oil and coal industries the solar would bring in more jobs.
more than 31,000 solar jobs were added in the U.S. between November 2013 and November
2014. According to the report, 85 percent of those jobs were new, rather than jobs that already
existed but which added additional solar responsibilities. There are now a total of 173,807 people
in the U.S. with jobs related to solar power, a number thats increased by 87 percent over the last
five years.(Valentine, Katie. The Solar Industry). Costs for Solar have been on a steady decrease
over the past few years and there are many financial aids and tax credits that all contribute to the
lowest cost possible. Also to contribute to the fact solar is a cheaper source of energy in most
areas. So right now, the solar power is cheaper than grid electricity and is mostly through
subsidy. These subsidies are important for solar industry due to various factors such as, natural
resistance to change to solar energy and incentives are required to overcome this resistance and
until rooftop PV systems become a norm. In the areas where natural resources are not available
in abundance and in areas where PV systems are not common, incentives are required by solar
installers to make solar energy competitive. In sunniest regions the looming reduction in the

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federal solar tax credit may not pose as a problem but can be a big hindrance in emerging
market.(Davison, Alan. Is Solar Power Cheaper). Money is motivation, if the average person
can save money the chances are they will do what they can to do so. That is why tax credits
should be given to those who install solar panels. Solar tax credits were enacted in 2008 as part
of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, which included $18 billion in incentives for clean
and renewable energy technologies, as well as for energy efficiency improvements. The 2008
legislation extended the solar investment tax credit (ITC) through December 31, 2016 and made
other modifications to the tax credits.(Prosper, Terrie. "Go Solar California.").In 2008 $18
billion was invested into incentives for clean renewable energy technologies and energy
efficiency improvements.
Solar cells only generate power when the sun is shining on them a solid
argument as it's not always sunny everywhere in the US but with the right type of solar panel a
cloud shouldn't ruin your day. Photovoltaic panels can use direct or indirect sunlight to generate
power, though they are most effective in direct sunlight. Solar panels will still work even when
the light is reflected or partially blocked by clouds. Rain actually helps to keep your panels
operating efficiently by washing away any dust or dirt.("What Happens to Solar Panels When
It's Cloudy or Raining?" SEIA. ). Yet another argument is the current lack of capability to
correctly recycle solar power panels after they die in 30 to 40 years. Keep in mind 40 years ago
PCs and Cellphones were barely a thing. The point is that in 30-40 years we will find a way to
properly use and recycle them.
In conclusion oil and coal will not last us forever so it would be in the best interest of the
U.S to pursue an alternative energy. One way of doing this may be investing more into tax credits
for solar energy.

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Works Cited
"Climate Change: How Do We Know?" Nasa Global Climate Change. Nasa, n.d. Web. <http%3A%2F
%2Fclimate.nasa.gov%2Fevidence%2F>.
Davison, Alan. "Is Solar Power Cheaper Than Grid Electricity?" Is Solar Power Cheaper Than Grid Electricity?
N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2015. <http://www.altenergy.org/renewables/solar/>.
Miller, Debra A. Global Warming. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2008. Print.
"NREL: Solar Research Home Page." NREL: Solar Research Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2015.
<http://www.nrel.gov/solar/>.

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Prosper, Terrie. "Go Solar California." Go Solar California. California Energy Commission, n.d. Web. 02 Nov.
2015. <http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/consumers/taxcredits.php>.
Schlager, Neil, and Jayne Weisblatt. Alternative Energy. Detroit: UXL, 2006. Print.
Schlingeman, Sophie. "1. Observed Changes in Climate and Their Effects." AR4 SYR Synthesis Report Summary for
Policymakers. World Meteorological Organization, n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2015.
<https://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/syr/en/spms1.html>.
Valentine, Katie. "The Solar Industry Created More Jobs In 2014 Than Oil And Gas Extraction." ThinkProgress The
Solar Industry Created More Jobs In 2014 Than Oil And Gas Extraction Comments. ThinkProgress, 15 Jan.
2015. Web. 02 Nov. 2015. <http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/01/15/3611522/solar-jobs-report-2014/>.
"What Happens to Solar Panels When It's Cloudy or Raining?" SEIA. Solar Energy Industries Association, n.d. Web.
02 Nov. 2015. <http://www.seia.org/about/solar-energy/solar-faq/what-happens-solar-panels-when-it
%E2%80%99s-cloudy-or-raining>.