1. Christopherson1
Josh Christopherson
Mrs. Lester
Adv. Comp
4 October 2011
Senior Project Research Paper
Have you ever wondered what would happen if we ran out of nonrenewable resources?
The cities would shut down, all transportation would cease, and the world would be in turmoil.
The solution is the more practical resource, solar energy. Solar energy is renewable, clean, and
easily incorporated into most people’s lives. There are, however, some issues with solar energy. I
believe these issues are worth exploring to solve the biggest issue in solar energy: the number of
people who are unwilling to initiate the change from nonrenewable resources to alternative
energy, such as solar power.
The main issue in solar energy is the majority of people not willing to make the switch
from oil and coal. Coal and oil companies are trying their best to stifle the success of alternative
energies such as solar energy (Chapman, Energy Companies, Environmental Groups Following
Colorado Senate Race). If these setbacks keeps up, the companies that produce alternative
energy products will not be able to advance enough to be considered independent. According to
Lindsay Chapman, people are unwilling to switch from nonrenewable resources such as oil and
coal to alternative energy such as solar power. The short-term relevance of oil and coal appeals
to most people; while the long term benefits of solar energy actually out way the benefits of
nonrenewable resources. Without the cooperation of the rest of the people, becoming self-
sufficient will be nearly impossible.

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If we do not make a change from the resources we are using, we will see the
consequences: there will be several negative effects on our society and environment. For
example, if we do not convert to solar energy, the effects of the pollution on the environment
will cause many long-term effects such as global warming (Reguly). These effects have already
been witnessed by most of the population. One of the best examples of these effects is the
melting of the polar ice caps. This problem will cause our future generations to miss many
opportunities.
In addition, there are many speculations on the solutions to this issue. If even half of the
people in America put solar panels on their rooftops, it would supply 25% of America’s energy
(Flavin). In this scenario, the support of the entire country would have to cooperate with one
another. There has also been many technological breakthroughs in this field of study. A new type
of power plant is under construction in Australia that has very much potential. This new facility
can generate energy equal to that of a small nuclear power plant (Kage). There is no byproduct
produced; therefore, there are no disadvantages from this power plant.
Lastly, there is most likely a positive future to this problem in solar energy. With the vast
amount of people not willing to make the change, the solutions to the problems will need to
exceed the people’s expectations. One new device is a solar dish that absorbs more solar energy
than any other known solar panel. This device can amplify the energy absorbed by the sun by
1000; this is the most powerful solar amplifier in existence (Gutierrez). This new device is very
cost efficient and can be installed in almost any roof or near any house.
As you can see, the issue in solar energy does not make the topic a bad decision. This
topic is still a good choice because there is a good future in solar power. Also, it will be in high
demand because nonrenewable resources are rapidly depleting.

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Works Cited
Chapman, Lindsay. "Assessing the Future of Energy in the New Year."Finding
Dulcinea.N.p., 26 Dec. 2008. Web. 12 Sept. 2011.
<http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/Americas/2008/December/
Assessing-the-Future-of-Energy-in-the-New-Year.html>.
Chapman, Lindsay. "Energy Compavg-Colorado-Senate-Race.html>.
Flavin, Chris. "Renewable Energy Sources Can Meet America's Energy Demands."
Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context.N.p., Jan.-Feb. 2007. Web. 12 Sept.
2011. <http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/
ViewpointsDetailsWindow?displayGroupName=Viewpoints&disableHighlighting=false&pro
dId=OVIC&action=e&windowstate=normal&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010220275&
mode=view>.
Gutierrez, David. "Solar Dish Collects, Concentrates Solar Energy by a Factor of
1,000." Natural News.N.p., 29 Oct. 2008. Web. 20 Aug. 2011.
<http://www.naturalnews.com/024631_energy_solar_MIT.html>.
Kage, Ben. "Solar Tower Project in Australia could represent the future of clean
energy." Natural News.N.p., 12 Jan. 2006. Web. 26 Sept. 2011.

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<http://www.naturalnews.com/016709_alternative_energy_solar_tower.html>.
Reguly, Eric. "Let's Simplify This Green Jumble. ."Global Issues in Context.
N.p., 8 Sept. 2008. Web. 12 Sept. 2011. <http://find.galegroup.com/gic/
retrieve.do?contentSet=IAC-
Documents&sort=Relevance&tabID=T006&searchId=R1&docId=
A184587573&prodId=GIC&currentPosition=1&userGroupName=cant48040&resultListType
=RE
SULT_LIST&sgHitCountType=None&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2C%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%2
8KE%2CNone%2C16%29fund+solar+power%24&inPS=true&searchType=&docId=A1845875
73&docType=IAC>.