Issa, A. (June 1, 2023). Top Solar Energy Trends To Look Out For in 2023 and Beyond.
Entrepreneur. Retrieved July 29, 2023 from,
https://www.entrepreneur.com/green-entrepreneur/top-solar-energy-trends-to-look-out-fo
r-in-2023-and-beyond/452357
Renewable energy investors and developers believe by the year 2035 the US will have reached the set goal for 100% clean electricity, however, there are important current trends that need to be kept on the lookout. For example, “much of the support for these grants on a federal level currently comes from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The House of Representatives is now in talks about managing the U.S. limit, and one of their demands is cutting many of the programs included in the IRA, which could affect energy investment across the board”. It’s explained that there is a ‘war’ between renewable energy and traditional utility companies which causes confusion and controversies during the building stages of projects.
Although there are high hopes for clean generated electricity, the article mentions concerning ‘trends’ that could potentially set us back. My opinion focuses on the trends more than the hopes because of how large the effects could have on our environment. One effect could potentially be several canceled energy investments. Because of this, environmental science is put into the equation, and is being acknowledged through the aftermath of these canceled projects. I wonder why a demand for The House of Representatives includes cutting programs, one being the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act). What is their end goal? And what would cutting programs benefit?
These trends are clear and must be monitored, especially given the potential environmental consequences. But this raises the question: How can we strike a compromise between the short-term economic benefits of eliminating programs like the IRA and the long-term environmental benefits of supporting renewable energy investments?
Clearly these trends need to continue to be monitored. Knowing about these trends I still would hope that the government will favor the pursuit of clean electricity over the needs of more traditional utility companies.