Saudi Arabia’s recent advancements in solar energy could negatively affect the U.S. oil economy. The popularity of solar power was illustrated in the first “Desert solar conference” in 2014 where major industry representatives discussed ideas for progressions in solar energy usage. The U.S. Department of Commerce has considered repealing the ban of U.S. crude oil exports originally passed in 1970. The author states they are attempting to benefit the U.S. oil economy by removing the previous restrictions. However, recent shifts in Saudi Arabia to solar energy and rising interest in balancing diesel utilization with PV (photovoltaic)-created power and/or balancing petroleum refinery energy with PV-created power. Both of these situations would decrease the demand and reduce the import of gasoline and diesel, hurting the U.S. economy.
The usage of solar energy is especially good for Saudi Arabia, where much energy is required to power cooling and air conditioning systems and desalinate water. While the U.S. oil economy will not benefit from the implementation of solar energy, the environment and entire world will. The United States needs to follow Saudi Arabia’s example in increasing our country’s production of renewable energy sources, so we won’t be dependent on nonrenewable fossil fuels in the forthcoming years.
Ann, C. (2014, September 5). U.S. Oil Economy Could Falter as Saudi Arabia
Enters Solar Market. Industry Leaders Magazine RSS. Retrieved September 6, 2014, from
Hi EmilyAdd!
Your article was very interesting and I was really fascinated by Saudi Arabia’s advances in solar energy. I agree with you in that the United State should follow Saudi Arabia’s example in increasing our country’s production of renewable energy sources, because nonrenewable fossil fuels are extremely harmful to our environment and will be minimal in the forthcoming years.
Thank you for your research!