Activity 3.2.3.1 Solar Power and Energy Policy

 

1. Exploratory

Probe basic facts and knowledge found in the reading. (What research evidence supports _________? Type up several facts and basic knowledge from the reading. Relate this to what you see in other resources and prior activities for stronger scores.))

In the NPR article How Solar Grew in Georgia Despite Lack of Mandates on Renewable Energy

the authors Hsu and Kelly (2019) explain how Georgia became a leader in solar energy without having laws that

require renewable energy. They explain that the growth came mainly from companies like Georgia Power, which

decided to invest heavily in solar energy. These companies saw the benefits of solar power, including saving money

and reducing their environmental impact. Georgia’s sunny climate and the availability of land made it a good place

for large solar farms. Even though there were no strict rules forcing solar energy use, the article shows that the state’s

solar growth was possible because of private sector investment and some local incentives.

The Silicon Ranch video on the Hazlehurst II solar farm (2017) supports this by showing how the project turned 500 acres of land into a solar

farm, which helped provide clean energy. This project was made possible by a private company like Silicon Ranch,

which saw a financial and environmental opportunity in using land for solar power instead of traditional farming.

The video highlights how this project contributes to Georgia’s solar growth and shows how renewable energy is

growing, even without government-imposed mandates.

2. Diagnostic

Probe motives or causes.  (Why? (Tell your reader why this occurs. Explain the causes in detail.))

The main reason Georgia is growing its solar energy sector, even without government mandates, is the investment

from private companies like Georgia Power and Silicon Ranch. These companies saw that solar energy could save

money in the long run and help reduce the use of fossil fuels. The article mentions that federal tax incentives and

credits made solar projects more affordable, encouraging these companies to invest (Hsu & Kelly, 2019). Georgia’s

land and sunny climate provided the perfect conditions for large solar farms. In the video, the Hazlehurst II solar

farm is shown as an example of how farmers and local communities benefited from this growth, as they were able

to use their land to generate income from solar energy instead of traditional crops (Silicon Ranch, 2017).

3. Cause and Effect

Causal relationships between ideas, actions, or events. (If __________ occurs, what happens?)

If Georgia continues to invest in solar energy, it will likely see several benefits. One of the main effects will be a

decrease in reliance on fossil fuels, which will help reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The article also

mentions that investing in solar energy will create more jobs in the state, especially in rural areas where solar farms

are located. The Hazlehurst II project, for example, has already brought jobs and income to the local community

(Hsu & Kelly, 2019). Additionally, more solar energy means lower electricity costs for consumers in Georgia. This

investment in solar power has long-term benefits, such as more energy independence and a cleaner environment.

The reason for investing in solar energy is that it leads to these positive economic, environmental, and social effects.

4. Priority

Seek to identify the most important issue. (What is the most important issue?)

The most important issue raised in both the NPR article and the Silicon Ranch video is that private-sector investment

can lead to the growth of renewable energy, even without government mandates. This is surprising because many

people think that renewable energy growth depends on strict government rules. However, Georgia’s solar energy

expansion shows that private companies, with the help of incentives, can play a huge role in promoting clean energy.

The article and video show that economic incentives and private company actions are key to driving this change.

This is important because it suggests that other states, even without strong government policies, can still grow their

renewable energy sectors (Hsu & Kelly, 2019; Silicon Ranch, 2017).

5. Application

Probe for relationships and connect theory to practice. (How does this apply to you? How is this related to culture as we have studied so far?)

This situation is relevant to me because it shows that even without government laws, renewable energy can grow

when private companies and local communities work together. For example, I now see that businesses can take the

lead in solving environmental problems, such as climate change, by investing in renewable energy like solar power.

This is also related to the broader idea we studied in class about sustainability. Georgia’s example shows how local

action and economic incentives can lead to big environmental and economic benefits. It makes me think that if more

communities and businesses get involved, they can help promote clean energy in their own areas, even without

needing laws that demand it (Hsu & Kelly, 2019; Silicon Ranch, 2017).

6. Critical

Analyze how this challenges your thinking/assumptions. (How did this change your thinking? Did it? Why?)

The information in these sources made me think differently about how renewable energy can grow. Before reading

the article and watching the video, I thought that renewable energy only grows when the government requires it

through laws or mandates. But now, after learning about Georgia’s solar growth, I realize that private companies

and economic incentives can play a big role, too. This has made me rethink the role of government in the renewable

energy transition. I now see that private investment, without the need for strict government rules, can still lead to

significant environmental, economic, and social benefits. This new perspective shows that a mix of private-sector

innovation and community involvement can be just as effective as government mandates (Hsu & Kelly, 2019; Silicon

Ranch, 2017).

References/Resources

Hsu, A., & Kelly, M. L. (2019, June 24). How solar grew in Georgia despite lack of mandates on renewable energy. National Public Radio. https://www.npr.org/2019/06/24/733795962/how-georgia-became-a-surprising-bright-spot-in-the-u-s-solar-industry

Links to an external site.

Silicon Ranch. (2017). Silicon Ranch Hazlehurst II Project on Georgia Farm Bureau TV

Links to an external site.

 [Video]. Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/217896697

Grammarly, www.grammarly.com/grammar-check.