"Solar Power" is a term most people recognize but few people fully understand the market behind the term. Recently many of the manufacturers of products to generate solar power have saw a steep decline in business and as a result are facing bankrupcy. The following article will discuss some of the factors leading to this decline. Have you ever considered how intricate the energy field is? What do you think the declining solar power market will mean for the economy and the US in general? What do you think a difference maker would be in the situation?
http://money.cnn.com/2011/11/30/technology/solar_power/index.htm
I guess I never realized how much solar power could do for us and the need for it before reading this article. I think the decline of the solar power market could mean higher electricity prices and other cost changes that involve energy. I think they probably shouldn't have went all out when solar power was really hot because over manufacturing cost's lots and lots of money and I think that was their big mistake. Not sure what could help them now, but the need and demand for solar power could change very quickly.
ReplyDeleteI have never realived how much solar power could be used to help save energy and costs. With the decline i see prices in electricity and other things going way up. I think solar power is a good idea because it does help. Im not sure what would help make this situation any different..
ReplyDeleteKalli Hammer
I think that at this point that cost VS reward on solar panel technology just is not there.
ReplyDeleteThe panels are much to high cost to show a quick return, the type of return that would bring in the average person. Though this is a tempting technology and many would like to be able to implement if they could, I just don't think we have reached that point yet.
I think a decline in solar technology will not effect the general US. Being as its not a technology that the average person puts to use.
Though I would like to see a continued growth in this area I doubt this is something we will see anytime soon.
I think it is pretty sad that our economy is getting so bad that the devices that help our lives become more energy conserving along with the companies who make those devices are having to suffer. Yes, solar panels are rather expensive, but compared to how much energy you save and the money you save not paying for such a large energy bill is amazing. It really is sad, with the decline is solar panels being made, I think it will hurt the economy even more because people will have to spend more money on energy bills.
ReplyDeleteI guess I have never thought much about the solar power field form of power or the process and work behind it with those companies. I am not sure how this will affect the general US economy but when business go out it can have even a small impact on the world around them. BUt then again, since this is not something that every person hases or uses, I don' think the impact will b that great. THis would be a great field for people to use more and become more dependent on, although that will be awhile before this will happen. I am not a "tree hugger" or anything, but the energy that comes from solar power is so much better for our environment compared to our other options.
ReplyDeleteI do not think that soloar power is a great source of energy in my opinion. Yes it does not harm the enviornment, but be honest people, how much sunlight do we get throughout the year? Windmills should be in this part of the world and everywhere. Wind is everywhere and dependable because you know you will always have wind, which means you will always have power.
ReplyDeleteSolar power takes a while to get energy from what I have heard. I do not know to much about solar power other than they cost alot and there is a lot more to it than just getting sun rays. Windmills are exspensive too, yes I know that and I'm sure there are things that you have to do to that in order to get power, but I think that windmills are a better source to get energy from.
I really like the idea of solar energy. I am not quite sure what to think of the decline and failures. It actually kind of scares me since a hybrid house is in my plans for retirement. We have been collecting things for building a self sufficient house. Although the original cost of solar panels and batteries are quite high, the money that you save will be worthwhile after a few years. I think that the market for solar power will always fluctuate since it is not the ideal power source and is not regular. I have researched this quite a bit am really excited to eventually have my house. Solar technology maybe necessary in the future for power outages. It think that eventually all hospitals and public buildings will have a solar backup as well as electricity. It could cut costs. Actually the Wal-Mart here in Williston has solar/electric hybrid lighting, which is why the lighting in the store is so irregular.
ReplyDeleteI havent ever really thought about solar power... the declining market in solar power is obviously going to get rid of even more jobs..which is the last thing we need right now..but might be good for the environment because more people will be buying and using solar power when prices keep dropping. Im not really sure what would make a difference in this situation, I dont know enough about it.
ReplyDeleteI never realized much information on solar power before reading this article. With the decline in solar power would probably mean even more higher prices for electricity and propane. I think people should become more aware the benefits of using solar power. Yes, it might cost a little more getting started using solar power, but the benefits are much more better than to keep paying these high prices for electricity and propane.
ReplyDeletePeople often have strong opinions about alternative energy sources, but it seems to me that solar energy has been around long enough to be considered a credible and reliable form of energy.
ReplyDeleteI don't know exactly why demand for solar energy has declined so severely, but I can't help but think that its an incredible form of energy. I've never really thought about the industry or how it affects the world economies. Maybe with solar panels being so cheap (relatively speaking) it's time to invest? Solar energy may need a stronger social presence, as it's not being taken advantage of or really being advertised in any major form. I believe its imperative that we not only explore new forms of energy, but also practice the methods we currently are in possession of.
I'm sure there's more to it but solar energy (on a large scale) seems like a no-brainer to me.
This interesting to read because i really havent ever heard anything about the energy field and it seems to be a little hay-wire right now because its a young market and so the companies dont know what to do right now. I think the economy will be ok with the decline in solar power i mean im sure there will be a drop but it cant be that big because you never hear about it on the news and so we cant be that worried plus you never hear about people buying a bunch of solar power panels. I honestly dont really know but i guess the difference maker would be which companies are going to be able to with stand the fall and get back at it and start making a profit through solar power which could end up changing the world.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize how many solar companies there were. I think that less companies making solar panels would be better because the demand is not very high so the companies are over manufacturing and losing money in the process. I think that solar energy is a good thing because it is environmentally friendly. But people aren't buying into it as much as gas or wind energy. Also, having one energy source go bankrupt would throw everything off balance and cost more money. I don't think the US will be as affected as other countries because we don't have as many solar powered things. I don't know what would change the situation but maybe having some of the companies sell out would create less products being produced and advertising more would increase the popularity of solar energy.
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of solar power, but I'm biased. My family has a cabin in the Medicine Bow National Forest that runs entirely on solar power. I don't know what to think about the decline. In some ways it could be good because people that were originally priced out of the market may be able to afford it now. However, with product not moving quickly and companies going bankrupt, that also means less money spent on research and development of new product. And less companies providing product (which then in turn could raise prices). It's a bit of a catch 22.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to think that eventually all businesses would run on solar power, or at least use solar power most of the time. I'm not a tree hugger by any means, but solar power is FREE!!
I dont know a lot about solar energy or panels but its obvious the market is going down according to the article. It seems like a very good idea and with prices so cheap I dont know why people are not buying. My lack of knowledge makes me wonder if even though they are cheap is it still more expensive for a middle class person? I dont know...the idea for it is pretty neat though.
ReplyDeleteI never really realized how much solar power was used before. I feel with the solar power market decline the prices of other energy source will increase. I think with the prices being that low people will soon invest in solar polar again and will end up bring the numbers back up to a reasonable amount. I feel solar power is an smart way for producing energy and it doesn't cause pollution or anything like that. I don't really know what will help business sell more solar panels, but I feel with time people will find it cheaper to run more things off of solar panels which end up saving them money.
ReplyDeleteI never really realized how much solar power could do for us. I do like the idea. Solar panels are expensive, but in the long run you are saving money and energy. Why continue to pay a high price energy bill. Solar Panels can make a huge change for our environment.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion solar energy is the best way to produce energy and great to the environment. But due to the electricity cost and over producing the product could be the cause of the rapid decline of solar energy but i think that the economy will not be that effected.I have no ideas on what will be the difference maker in this industry,but I'm waiting to see how it unfolds, I hope for the better.
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about power or electricity or whatever, but I do know that solar power is more environmentally friendly. I used to really be into all that "Go Green" stuff, but I don't really care much about it anymore. I never really think about solar power and never think about how intricate the energy business is. It's really expensive though, and our economy isn't at it's best and people just don't want to pay more money to get the same thing...(Although the solar power is nicer for the environment, energy is energy.) Unless someone really cares that much for the environment, it probably won't make a difference. If solar power worked better for the environment AND was cheaper than any other energy source, MAYBE people would consider it. But paying more isn't an option. I don't think this decline will have much of an impact on the US, but I don't know much about this stuff, so maybe it will.
ReplyDeleteI had never really realized what solar energy does for us. I do know that it is very expensive to buy and have the solar panels that are used. I don't know if I quite agree that more people will now use solar energy though, I think that less people may use it and the companies will go bankrupt. I have no idea what the difference maker will be but it will be interesting to see how things play out.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever considered how intricate the energy field is? [Yes. The energy field is nearing a crisis as we struggle to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels and switch to more environmentally-friendly energy resources. However, if/when we have successfully completed this endeavor we will see a lot of large companies crash and a lot of young companies flourish. This is not something we can avoid.] What do you think the declining solar power market will mean for the economy and the US in general? [I think the declining solar power market is disappointing. However, it could mean that suddenly everyone (who can afford it) will switch to solar power and begin making a dent in our fossil fuel consumption.] What do you think a difference maker would be in the situation? [What will ultimately make the difference is if the US can convince our billion- and millionaires to invest in making responsible and smarter choices. The middle class in the United States outnumbers any other, yet solar power is still unaffordable and a poor investment for us. Either the rich elite must find a way to do the neighborly thing and provide for the rest of us, or the solar power companies must find become resourceful enough to offer mass-market solar power to the working man.]
ReplyDeleteI have often wanted to learn about solar power on a more challengeing level but I think solar power is amazing. I'm slightly sadden by the fact that is not put to use more often. It has some setbacks but it really is worth trying.
ReplyDeleteI think that it definitly says something about the US that we don't use this alternatitive power more often. Solar power is an amazing thing and it should be used much more in the future.
I didn't know much about solar power before reading this article. I think this concept is pretty astounding though. The declining prices of solar power could mean an increase in demand as more people are able to afford it. This decline also adds to the decline in US economy. I think companies should keep trying to promote their product as I believe interest will soon expand for solar power.
ReplyDeleteI have always know how important solar power is as an energy resource. Solar power is completly clean, efficient, and renewable. I think that as more and more people realize how much cheaper, more efficient, and economically friendly solar power is they will start to convert. I think this will happen within this decade. The difference maker in this situation has to be simply the education of the general population on the benefits of solar energy.
ReplyDeleteAs technology gets more advanced the prices of these solar panels are going to drop as well. I think it is a great idea if you have the money to pay for the panels. Other than that, if our economy doesn't get better I doubt the general population will substitute gas powered appliances and electricity for a much more expensive way in solar panels. Yes it would be better for the environment but until they become consumer friendly I don't see many people changing the way they get electricity.
ReplyDeleteI have always been interested in different types of energies and how they work. I think that solar power is a pretty cool substitute to make energy. I honestly think that we should try to use solar power more often along with other substitutes for energy. It's just that someday we are going to run out of oil and or other sources we take for granted, of course not soon, but if we don't start working toward different types of energy now then when? I think that energy prices will raise from lack of solar energy. I think the US needs to put their money into use by finding a cleaner more efficient type of energy!
ReplyDeleteI never really realized how much solar power did for us. Solar power can save energy and money for us. I think that solar power is a great idea for everyone. The decline of solar power could eventually make electricity prices go up. I honestly have no idea what would make a difference for this situation.
ReplyDeleteInitially I thought that the decline of solar power companies was bad but I now think it is a good thing. With all these companies on the economic down slide the prices of solar panels has become very inexpensive. Maybe this is what we need because the solar panels have not been catching on the way they should. This type of thing happens whenever a new idea comes about. When people realize there is a solid market for something, companies are bound to spring up. The best, biggest, and companies with the best financial backing are going to survive. Solar power is something we don't use enough and I feel as if now is the best time to go out and purchase some panels.
ReplyDeleteA couple years ago in my hometown, there was a family who built a house and they used a type of technology that uses a type of solar energy. It was a little more expensive but it was supposed to save money and help the environment more. I never realized how intricate or complex this field actually was. The technology they are using to make these solar powered devices is amazing and the amount of time it took for them to perfect it is astonishing. Since the prices for solar panels are going down, I believe that Americans will be prone to buy more because they like to get their products cheaper. Hopefully this doesn’t increase the prices on other products but this will defiantly affect the economy in some way or another. I believe if buying from China was out of the picture, the United States companies could exist and have competition with companies inside the border. It is hard to compete with the Chinese when they offer lower prices for a product that is more expensive in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteI dont know much about solar power but then again i never really paid that much attention to it. Honestly i never really think about solar power and how the energy business is. All i know is its really expensive and we dont have the best economy. Unless someones really into their enviorment and making a difference, people really wont want to spend the money. I suppose theres always those people who if it were cheaper it would be different, but for me it really makes no difference. Im not sure if this will have an impact or not, so i guess it will be interesting to find out.
ReplyDeleteI have never really known much about solar power panels but based on what I do know they are a good way to save money. Because of the declining solar power industry I think that more people will have to pay more on electricity bills. I also think that if more people would use solar panels less money would have to be spent on energy bills. Thus saving people more money in the long run.
ReplyDeleteI have always assumed that the energy market was highly intricate do to the demands of energy.
ReplyDeleteI believe that if the solar power market declines to far that the study and practice of solar power will be less and less until there is a higher demand for this.
I think this could all change around if we had laws that would make us "go greener" than we already have. Leading us towards solar power and wind energy.
The U.S. is facing an energy crisis every day. It seems as though any solution they have to it, has some sort of downside. Most of it has to do with operation or building costs, such as dams, windmills, electricity, or solar power. Or the fact that we're running out of the fuel that powers it, such as fossil fuel.
ReplyDeleteI heard that solar panels are expensive from some people back home that have solar powered generators in their hunting cabins. Maybe this bankruptcy will lower the cost of the panels, therefore making them easier to obtain for the lower class peoples.
I have never realized how much solar power could be used to help save energy and our costs, with the decline I see prices in electricity and other things going up. I think solar power is a good idea because it help's. I am not sure what would help make this situation any different.
ReplyDeleteLaShane k. Wobbema