Guest Op-Ed: A Student Implores Her School To Invest in Solar Panels

By Isabella S.

Editor's note: we have changed the name of Isabella's high school to protect her privacy.

Image generated by A.I.

Solar panels are something most people know of but not much about. So, what are solar panels really, and why should Earthward High go solar?

To start, here’s a powerful fact: the sunlight striking Earth’s surface in just 1.5 hours provides enough energy to meet global energy consumption for an entire YEAR. 

Given this abundance, it makes sense to ask: why continue investing in land, money, and limited natural resources to generate electricity if we have renewable energy at our disposal? 

Fortunately, renewable energy sources like solar panels have gained popularity in recent years. Solar panels are devices that convert sunlight into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect (if you’re interested in learning more about this process, this is a good article: https://www.mrsolar.com/what-is-a-solar-panel/). 

The majority of electricity we use still comes from coal-fired power plants which burn coal–a nonrenewable natural resource–releasing greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide that contribute to climate change. Natural gas power plants, the second most common source of energy, slightly cleaner than coal-fired power plants but still emitconsiderable amounts of greenhouse gasses. Additionally, both types of conventional power plants consume large amounts of water to produce the energy and cool the generators. Solar energy, on the other hand, requires minimal water and emits greenhouse gasses.

Not only are they far more environmentally sustainable, solar panels offer considerable financial savings in the long term. On average, Virginia homeowners save $1500 EACH YEAR on electricity bills with the installation of solar panels. For Earthward High, which is far larger than a typical household, the potential savings would be even more substantial. 

With these benefits in mind, Earthward High should certainly invest in solar panels as a step towards a greener, more sustainable future.