Eths

The Role of Solar Energy in Today’s Society

Class: LAS432 Society, Technology and Culture

Professor: Dexter Christian

Team A: Jonathan Alexander, William Dai, Selecia Harrigan, Janice Mack, Ashely Polnoff, and Shane Van Vossen

Abstract

Harnessing energy from the sun is becoming a major player in today’s society as an alternate energy source. The demand for energy to constantly increasing and finding ways to supply that demand is an ongoing battle. The battle between nonrenewable sources (fossil fuel) and renewable sources (solar, wind) are driving the debate for the primary source to provide energy world-wide. Solar energy is considered a clean energy technology that is making a surge to supplement fossil fuel to reduce greenhouse gases, the major contributor to climate change. This research paper defines solar energy technology and reflects on the history of solar energy. Also, we dig deeper to discuss the political and legal influences, economic consideration, environmental issues and final the moral and ethical implication of the technology.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

introduction 1

Section 1.1 Solar Electric 1

Section 1.2 Solar Thermal 1

History of the Technology 2

Section 2.1 Early Solar Energy Use 2

Section 2.2 The Solar Future 3

Solar Energy Political and Legal Influences 4

Section 3.1 Legal Limitations 4

Section 3.2 Environmental Law 6

Section 3.3 Government Incentives 7

Economic Consideration of Solar Energy 9

Section 4.1 The Benefits of Solar Energy 9

Section 4.2 Potential Drawbacks 9

Section 4.3 The Demand for Solar Energy 10

Environmental Consideration 11

Section 5.1 Protecting Water Resources 11

Section 5.2 Land Resources for Solar 12

Moral and Ethical Implication 13

Section 6.1 Ethical Implications 13

Section 6.2 Moral Considerations 14

conclusion 14-15

Reference Page 16-17

Introduction

With the demand for energy constantly rising, the world is desperately searching for the energy source for the future. Fossil...