Solar: Energy Independence for the Untied States

The world revolves around energy. Specifically, oil.

Oil has been the life blood of the modern world, giving those who control it a TON of power.

Because of this, every major nation (especially the United States) vies for resources, including sucking up to nations we wish we didn’t have to suck up to.

With the coming of cheap solar, however, the United States will be less and less reliant on outside resources for energy. That’s great news!

This article will review how oil rich nations control the United States, how solar will give the United States greater independence, and what you can do to help.

BIG Oil, BIG Trouble

Wars have been fought, nations have been created, and billions of dollars have moved overnight in the name of oil.

I won’t get too deep into the history, but the United States, especially, has been involved in this game of oil politics.

We identified early on that getting a consistent supply of oil at a consistently low price would bring growth, stability, and geopolitical influence. All valuable things when you are trying to build a superpower in the post-WWII era.

Getting that consistent supply of oil, however, has caused us to bend over backwards and get involved in costly foreign issues.

A short list of these include:

1. Assisting to topple the Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq in 1953 to institute a leader more aligned with U.S. oil interests (causing many problems for us in the aftermath).
2. Negotiating between Israel and Arab Nations after the Yom Kippur War in 1974 in order to open up oil embargos from OPEC.
3. Establishing expensive U.S. military bases and operations in the Middle East by the directive of Ronald Regan in 1983 to ensure the safe travel of oil in the Strait of Hormuz.
4. Pushing forward on Operation Dessert Storm to protect Kuwait and Saudi Arabia given our oil interests in the region.
5. Extending our occupation of Iraq to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars to establish the U.S.’s oil interests in the region.

Aside from costing the U.S. billions (if not trillions) protecting our oil interests, the other negative effects of our oil dependence include:

1. Crazy gas price fluctuations every few years.
2. Supporting authoritarian regimes, including Russia and Putin’s war machine, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
3. Making concessions to China in order to secure oil.

That’s all to say that fighting for our oil interests abroad have cost our country much more than you’d think and driven more of our foreign policy than you could imagine.

Solar as a Path to Independence

In order for the U.S. to become more energy independent, the U.S. needs to start producing more energy. And not just any energy. Clean energy.

“Why clean energy?”

It’s two fold. 1) Electricity from solar panels is now cheaper to produce than from natural gas turbines. This will save Americans money in a time of inflation and high government debt. 2) Reducing carbon emissions will help prevent the inevitable international pressure and potential embargos that could come with more powerful climate agreements.

This is aside from the fact that having clean air and saving the planet is just the right thing to do.

So as the U.S.’s installed base of solar panels makes up a greater percentage of our power consumption, we will be less reliant on foreign powers in determining our future.

And the great thing is, it is already starting to happen!

All the way from the 1980’s, Republican and Democratic presidents alike have recognized the need for energy independence, making initiatives and pushing for more renewable energy sources in the United States. This has led to solar now becoming the largest source of newly installed electricity generation the last few years, outstripping coal and natural gas.

With this, less bending over backwards to foreign powers and greater independence!

And I mean, is there any American value greater than independence?!

What You Can Do

More than likely, you live in an area where your grid is powered primarily by a combination of coal or natural gas turbines.

The more homes that need to be tied to the grid, the more coal and natural gas will need to get burned in order to produce the electricity our society needs to run; all the while making us more dependent on foreign powers.

So what can you do about it?

Install solar and tell Putin to shove his oil up the place where the sun don’t shine!

Not only will you help the United States with energy independence, you will also:

1. Help reduce blackouts and the ability of foreign enemies from hacking our grid system
2. Save money compared to your normal power bill
3. Increase the value of your home
4. And save the planet!

Sounds like a win, win, win, win to me.

But to increase the benefits to you even more, you should consider installing solar yourself.

Why?

Because it is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than going with a full-service solar company.

More than 50% of a normal solar system comes from soft costs and unnecessary middlemen who pass along your deal for a markup.

By going direct and installing your solar from a kit, you can save yourself a pretty penny and also get the joy of building something with your own two hands.

DIY Solar is here to help you on this journey, giving you the materials, engineering, and design you need to do it yourself.

Start by getting a free solar quote from us and reach out if you have any questions!