From the article titled Climate Change: in context by Brenda Wilmoth Lerner, I learned that even though, solar panels are not cost efficient, efforts are put forth constantly to lower the cost of producing solar panels, so installation will be much cheaper, and money saved will be a lot higher. The starting cost scares most from getting solar panels installed on their house, because it is hard for them to see the prolonged benefits, and more eco friendly future. Solar panel companies are trying very hard to lower the cost of installation. If successful, then solar panels would begin to be installed a lot more frequently. As of how the cost is now, people don't see any profit in putting solar panels on, so most current owners of solar panels did it to reduce global warming, or to save our natural fossil fuels. This isn't a big enough motivator for most people, so they don't buy solar panels. Instead they spend around four dollars per gallon of gas at current times, wasting a lot of money getting to and from places. Therefore, research in clean renewable energy must be added to, because it has the potential to save everyone, except the already wealthy oil companies, a lot of money. .
The Department of Energy is now researching the idea of satellites delivering photovoltaic produced energy back to Earth. (Lerner) This was a very interesting idea that if implemented efficiently would save money spent on gas or electricity. Any new technology and ideas in clean renewable energy direct or indirect that converts even the smallest amount of energy will help save money, unless it costs more to operate then it saves by collecting energy. "In 2003 even the US army was investing in solar energy, they hired photovoltaic developer Konarka to develop lightweight plastic solar panels to act as very light batteries used to power the growing array of various electronic appliances used by the army while in battle.
