TESLA’S FAILED ATTEMPT ON THE AMERICAN SOLAR DREAM
In a world where coal is limited and fossil fuel is depleting at alarming rates, the world seems to be looking for the next renewable energy. Tesla is offering the world an alternative for electricity with its superhero Elon Musk leading the frontier.
What does Tesla offer?
Tesla’s earliest ventures in Solar was with SolarCity which was started in the year of 2006 by Peter and Lydon Rive, cousins of Elon Musk. Later, the Tesla Powerwall was announced in April 2015 giving off 5KW continuous which was later upgraded. Stats about the Powerwall indicate that over 2,500 Powerwall’s and 100 Powerpacks were sold in four continents including North America.
The Truth
America’s energy consumption indicates only around 4% of their total energy is derived from Solar. There is the rational argument that only the southern states can enjoy the Sun for the most part of the year. But even after the starting of SolarCity in 2006, by 2015 there was 870MW of solar power installed. SolarCity even states
“California has the technical potential to install 128.9 GW of rooftop solar panels, which would generate 194,000 GWh/year, about 74% of the total electricity used in California in 2013.”
But the statistics show that the state only derives 20% of its energy from renewable energy.
n other states like Florida, which is one of the sunniest states in the US, there is no rooftop solar industry. It also has laws which imposes taxes and fees on solar equipment which does not even exist in the Northern states.
There are several other astonishing claims in places like North Carolina where Solar panels have been blamed to “Suck up all the energy from the sun” or “Would stop photosynthesis”.
Who are behind this?
There are a lot of lobbyists and companies like the Koch Brothers which are second largest privately-owned company in the United States, producing gasoline, are not allowing the rise of Clean energy in the US.
It is not a big surprising turn of events, since American Presidents have always shown their share of keen interest in the Middle East. On top of that to have a running President believe that climate change is not real, makes the entire picture clearer.
So what are questions we should be asking?
What does it show when American presidents are more interested in nations like Saudi Arabia which are rich in oil reserves and promote clean energy back home?
Is America always trying to hide the truth about climate change?
Disclaimer: In the light of the US bailing out on Paris agreement, I have written this to put forward my point of view. I am open to views and comments from your end, my word is not final.
