Activity 3.2.3.1 Solar Power and Energy Policy: Six-Point Critical Analysis of Current Event

1. Exploratory                                    

Solar farms are becoming more common, and the article discusses a solar farm specifically on Silicon Ranch in Nashville that is used to power Facebook’s data center.

2. Diagnostic                                       

The motivation for building solar farms is that it is a form of renewable energy. The example provided in the article also explains that even though the land is going to be used for a solar farm, that doesn’t mean that it can’t also be used for animals. They plan to use the land for cattle as well as solar power.

3. Cause and Effect                          

Renewable energy technologies are becoming cheaper and more easily accessible, so more companies and private individuals are adopting them.

The solar farm built on Silicon Ranch will generate tax revenue for Early County, which will benefit residents.

4. Priority                                             

From what I can gather the priority seems to be the economic value of creating the solar farm.

They’re creating a way to produce cheaper renewable energy while simultaneously helping the residents of Early County via jobs, and tax revenue.

5. Application                                     

I think it’s great that they’re implementing solar energy, and I think that it will prompt other states to build solar farms, once they see the benefits of solar power.

6. Critical                                              

It is interesting to see an area, especially one so close to the coal industry, adopt renewable energy on their own without some outside incentive. I wouldn’t have expected this from a southern state, especially one that historically has for the most part been a red state.

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