The True Cost of Chinese Solar Panels.” 2024. TIME. January 18, 2024. https://time.com/6564184/chinese-solar-panels-cost/.

China has made great strides in the field of solar technology. They have been able to pump out solar panels. They are far less expensive than panels made in other countries. While a surplus of cheap solar panels is an obviously good thing for the environment as solar panels are a great green source of power, it has also given China a monopoly over the market. This article highlights how environmental issues are often intertwined with politics and other issues. There have been other cases of energy dependence turning out poorly, such as Europe being dependent on Russian gas. Ultimately, for national interests, this is one case where America likely has to not do what’s best for the environment.

I think that solar power will be an important part of our energy future. But we cannot be reliant on a country like China to supply them. The ultimate goal is for the United States, and the world to be running entirely on green power. If the supply of that power is coming from another country, especially one with which we have strained relations, it could potentially lead to disastrous consequences. So I think we should continue implementing solar power, but put guardrails in place to undermine the Chinese monopoly.