When it comes to the subject of solar energy as a replacement for oil, there is a great deal of misunderstanding. One of the reasons for this misunderstanding derives from the fact that many individuals believe that oil is used exclusively for fuel in internal combustion engines. As such, people become put off to the notion that solar energy can be used as a replacement for oil because the image that appears in their minds is that of the interesting, yet impractical, solar panel cars that never make it past the prototype phase. Oil, of course, has a number of uses other than fuel, as it is also (along with coal) the primary source of electrical energy. As such, solar energy is far more flexible in terms of its applications as an alternate energy source than most realize.

Some Basics About Oil

One of the more significant topics in the political arena is the concept of independence from foreign oil. This is such a 'hot button' issue that it transcends domestic policy and remains a major fixture on the global scale of political discourse. The reason for this is obvious: there have been significant tensions between countries that produce oil and those countries that are importers of oil. Also, there are serious issues that are present in terms of expanding domestic production of oil in countries that are minor producers of the resource.

Oil drilling is a speculative business and requires significant capital to undertake. To drill offshore in the United States in the Gulf of Mexico would require setting up a drill that would have to drill seven miles into the bottom of the ocean before starting to reach the oil reserves. That is to say, the first seven miles are a "prologue" and that anything beyond that is still not a guarantee that oil will be struck. Needless to say, many investors are wary of pursuing such a drilling program and prefer to stay in areas where there is a decided lack of speculation as to the availability of the oil. Of course, there is a significant alternative to this and that would be the expansion of solar energy as an alternative to oil production.

Replacing Oil With Solar Energy

To replace oil with solar energy is not a venture that can be performed overnight. In fact, it may take many decades and only if the solar power industry invests a great deal of public relations time presenting the benefits of solar energy to the public. Hopefully, this will be something the industry wholeheartedly pursues.

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