Shine Bright: Solar Essay Contest Winners – Solar and Storage Industries Institute

Shine Bright:

Solar essay Contest Winners

The Solar and Storage Industries Institute (SI2) is proud to announce the winners of its national solar essay contest for high school students.

The goal of this contest was to inspire the next generation of solar leaders to lend their voice to the future of renewable energy. Thank you to all of the students who submitted their thoughtful essays. Your participation is what helped make this contest a success.

grand prize winner

Imani Laird

Newton Highlands, MA

"I’m scared to live in a world where I never see Boston snow again"

Letter to Senator Elizabeth Warren

finalists

Nimisha Sarkar

Letter to Congresswoman Laurel Lee

Tampa, FL

"While shifting to solar energy may be a significant change for society, it is needed to ensure that future generations on this land have a place to call home.”

Summer Anne De Jesus

Letter to Governor Ron DeSantis

Port Charlotte, FL

"Solar technology is necessary to limit the consequences of our continuous heavy reliance on Fossil fuels”

Thank You to Our Contest Sponsors

a letter to senator elizabeth warren

Imani laird

Dear Senator Elizabeth Warren,

My name is Imani Laird. I am a Massachusetts high school senior, and I’m scared for my future.

I’m scared to live in a world where I never see Boston snow again. I’m scared to live in a world where melting ice sheets redraw coastal maps forever. And I’m scared to live in a world where permafrost thawing jeopardizes the structural integrity of the very ground I stand on. In order to offset the effects climate change will have on your constituents, your legislative agenda must focus on developing solar power.

The sun continuously showers the Earth with 173,000 trillion watts of energy—more than 10,000 times the world’s total energy use. Utilizing this energy would be completely renewable, so why do we continue to rely on fossil fuels? Why do we continue to rely on the fossil fuels that are the primary cause of the climate change I’m so scared of? These questions have a clear answer, Senator Warren: we shouldn’t.

Advocating for solar power not only benefits the planet but also your constituents directly. The environmental benefits of solar power translate into economic advantages by mitigating the costs associated with climate change. We’ll be able to avoid the hefty financial burdens associated with extreme weather events, health care costs due to pollution, and the loss of ecosystem services. Additionally, using solar panels significantly reduces electricity bills for both homeowners and businesses, with reported savings averaging $1,500 annually. By generating their own electricity, your constituents are protected from the volatility of traditional energy prices.

Furthermore, investing in the solar industry means investing in job creation. The solar sector has seen a 167% growth in employment over the last decade and is one of the fastest-growing industries. Your constituents could have jobs ranging from manufacturing and installing solar panels to researching and engineering them. Ignoring the potential solar energy has would be a disservice to the 120,000 people currently unemployed in Massachusetts.

You’d be stimulating the economy as the money saved on energy bills can be spent within the community, and the jobs created by the solar industry contribute to the communities’ overall economic health. The United States would also become more energy-independent and secure as we reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels. I urge you, Senator Warren, to recognize and invest in the unparalleled benefits of solar energy. This is vital in your mission to serve not only your constituents but future generations.

I no longer want to be scared.

Sincerely,

Imani Laird

a letter to congresswoman laurel lee

Nimisha sarkar

Dear Congresswoman Laurel Lee,

6.34 billion. 6.34 billion is 126 million houses. 6.34 billion is about 80% of the world’s population. 6.34 billion metric tons is how much carbon dioxide is in our air. This is not just a number, this is a wake-up call. With constant efforts to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate the effects of global warming, and slow down climate change, this number will go down. One such effort is the use of solar energy. As of October 2023, 60% of our electricity is generated from fossil fuels and only 3.4% from solar power. It is imperative to increase this number, and eventually stop the use of fossil fuels entirely. In my biology class, I learned how fossil fuels contribute immensely to the increased levels of carbon dioxide which contributes to global warming. We can help change this by pushing for the use of solar energy and making it the number one source of electricity both locally and nationwide.

Climate change is more apparent than ever. I remember hearing about the drastic nature of the wildfires in California. A friend of mine who lives there had to move temporarily because of the high risk of a fire reaching her home. It is a stark reminder of reality. It is easy to hide behind a number, but not behind the truth. Climate change is hitting close to home as well. Living in Florida, we both know the impact of hurricanes currently and unfortunately, climate change only makes it worse. Hurricanes intensify more quickly and can become stronger within hours instead of days. This makes it even more important to be ready for whatever may hit us next.

Given the unpredictable weather patterns, it underscores the need for climate readiness, so our society can adapt to the impacts of climate change. Solar energy offers both a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to mitigate the impacts of this change. With it being renewable and generating energy without combustion, it does not emit any greenhouse gases. Furthermore, solar-powered energy is efficient during extreme weather events and natural disasters, making it the perfect source for all households. This incredible source of energy helps reduce overall energy consumption and reduces the need for fossil fuels.

While shifting to solar energy may be a significant change for society, it is needed to ensure that future generations on this land have a place to call home. The relentless and continued use of fossil fuels is devastating our planet. We need to be the caretakers of our planet, not the destroyers. It may seem impossible to ever recover from the damage caused, but I know that with the right ideas, unwavering support, and a determined mindset, we can do anything. My mom once shared with me the wisdom of George Shaw: “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” I hope you feel the same way and will help me push for change.

Sincerely,

Nimisha Sarka

a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis

summer anne de jesus

Dear Governor Ron DeSantis,

I am Summer Anne, a student from Port Charlotte High School. I would like to discuss an ongoing problem I see within the community: the inaccessibility and cost of solar technology.

Recently, I have been learning about renewable sources of energy in my environmental class. During this lesson, the familiar topic of solar energy surfaced. I was always made aware of the presence of solar technology from past academic subjects. However, it was still astonishing to remember the fact that the rays of sunlight we see everyday are now a source of electricity for us, able to power our appliances for our daily activities.

Currently, the world is experiencing a myriad of environmental problems. Global warming is one among the many. The release of greenhouse gasses responsible for trapping heat near the Earth’s surface is mainly caused by the combustion of fossil fuels. Nevertheless, fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal, and oil are still significantly in use as sources of energy. Under those circumstances, solar energy is determined as a viable alternative. According to the Department of Energy, solar power reduces greenhouse gas emissions as well as the release of other harmful pollutants like sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. Moreover, utilizing the constantly available solar radiation emitted by the sun is cost-efficient. It is a renewable and sustainable source of energy.

However, despite its proposed benefits, solar technology remains scarce within the community. Owing to the fact that it is still expensive, many people are hesitant to adopt solar energy into their lifestyles. According to The Florida Times-Union, there has been no financial incentives for local residents to turn to solar energy. Florida’s energy mix of natural gas, coal, and nuclear, which are nonrenewable sources of energy, are cheaper than the energy produced by solar panels. Furthermore, Florida only allows utilities to sell solar energy and bans companies from doing the same, a problem also observed by The New York Times newspaper.

Charlotte County already shows a desire to protect the environment. Segregating trash and recycling materials are a few examples. Additionally, I have seen some of my neighbors as well as my school use solar panels. This enthusiasm just needs to be turned to the widespread use of solar energy on a larger scale. This can be achieved through proper legislation, policies, and financial incentives. For these matters, government assistance is beneficial in promoting the use and development of solar energy.

Solar technology is necessary to limit the consequences of our continuous heavy reliance on fossil fuels. Making it more accessible and affordable for residents would significantly reduce the pollutants in the atmosphere. With these means, we would be able to keep our environment and fellow residents safe.

Sincerely,

Summer Anne De Jesus