Inquiry-Based Essay Outline as of 10/30/21
Research Question: Why solar energy is not better than other forms of energy?
Thesis: Solar energy is not as beneficial to consumers because it can not provide as much electricity as other forms of nonrenewable energy.
Context: Across many media sources, solar energy is promised to deliver energy to many Americans in a very clean and efficient manner. There are many benefits for using solar energy in comparison to other forms of energy, however, in terms of raw power created solar energy is not able to keep up with fossil fuels.
Arguments:
- Solar energy is a relatively new source of energy for homeowners to install and in many cases, homeowners are overpromised and inevitably underwhelmed following the installation of a system on their home.
- Solar panels tend to degrade and produce less electricity if they are not properly maintained and cleaned throughout their lifespan.
- Solar panel technology is constantly being improved which results in homeowners with new solar systems installed, quickly having outdated technology.
- When compared against other forms of energy, solar energy can not produce as much electricity reliably as nuclear or coal energy which can continuously produce energy throughout a day.
- Solar limitations prevent the source of energy from fully supplying energy to large populations and cities.
First Source:
- Address the issues concerning the costs of solar versus the costs of fossil fuel energy sources. Explain why solar is expensive, disappearing tax incentives, the consumer’s cost of competition between many solar companies.
Second Source:
- Comparing and contrasting the benefits and drawbacks of solar energy for homeowners versus nonrenewable energy sources. In this section solar will be put up against the highly controversial nuclear energy because the two sources of energy are seen as direct opposites. One is regarded as environmentally safe and the other is very beneficial but seen as potentially catastrophic.
Third Source:
- This portion will discuss how current solar technologies are being quickly surpassed by new technology. Homeowners will bear the brunt of these advances in technology because in the course of a few years their systems can become outdated and inefficient. Whereas if they would wait their systems would produce more energy and be able to be kept for a longer time without needing to be replaced.
Fourth Source:
- This source will talk about the new regulations that are set to be implemented in regards to the countries infrastructure. Solar energy will be pivotal to providing energy across the country in Biden’s new infrastructure bill. This source is my news article and it’s from the New York Times. The source talks about comparing two bills that may or may not pass but can drastically change the country.
Conclusion:
- Reword Thesis, summarize arguments
Sources so far:
Lewis, Nathan S. “Toward Cost-Effective Solar Energy Use.” Science, vol. 315, no. 5813, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2007, pp. 798–801, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20038948.
Blakers, Andrew, et al. “Sustainable Energy Options.” Learning from Fukushima: Nuclear Power in East Asia, edited by PETER VAN NESS and MEL GURTOV, ANU Press, 2017, pp. 319–48, http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1ws7wjm.19.
Tennant-Wood, Robin. “Solar Energy in Changing Times.” Following the Sun: The Pioneering Years of Solar Energy Research at The Australian National University 1970—2005, ANU Press, 2012, pp. 69–78, http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt24h968.13.
Plumer, Brad, and Winston Choi-schagrin. “Major Climate Action at Stake in Fight over Twin Bills Pending in Congress.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Oct. 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/10/climate/climate-action-congress.html.
