Solar Energy May Be One Thing Both Democrats And Republicans Can Agree On

Solar energy is one of the fastest growing sectors in U.S. economy and is attracting more consumers. Photo: Unsplash @kmagnuson

President Biden plans to invest $400 billion in clean energy and innovation over the next ten years, as one part of his public program. According to the Biden administration, that’s double the cost of the Apollo program which put on the moon.

But solar energy is no longer just for climate change advocates. In places like Texas, both ranchers and homeowners want to reduce energy costs, or even gain independence by getting off the electrical grid. In California, where drought, floods and fires have wreaked havoc, the effects of global warming are real and sustainable energy sources are a popular goal.

Solar energy might be the bright spot that brings Americans together.

In fact, with U.S. unemployment rates now at over six percent, the solar energy industry is adding nearly 250,000 new jobs over the next two years, according to Solar Energy Industries Association.

“We have been the number one or number two source for new electricity generation for the past five or six years,” declared Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of SEIA, during an energy industry virtual event in 2020. “We are now 2.6 percent of energy generation — we want to reach 20 percent in the next ten years.”