Whatever your views toward America’s military adventurism, it seems beyond debate that we need a mass solar conversion more than ever.
I won’t bore you with my views about Washington’s recent military adventurism. I know that you, our readers, have strong opinions about this. I think the end result will shape how all of us “feel” about this anxious moment in our lives.
I’d be cowardly in my mission, as a journalist and advocate for more sustainable building, however, not to call out one indisputable lesson from the last few weeks. Our fossil fuel dependence makes us vulnerable.
Oil and gas prices are spiking at every street corner. But things seem even worse across the pond. The United Kingdom, India and other countries have come close to depleting their entire reserves of natural gas. But don’t count our good fortune too soon. We’re simply further downstream from many supply chains.
To really understand this, we have to look past the simple metric of gasoline prices. Fossil fuels impact almost every aspect of modern living: medicine, transportation, food prices (try making fertilizer without fossil fuel), construction materials, shipping—it’s hard to think of anything higher oil prices DON’T affect.
There is one exception. Fossil fuels don’t affect the operational costs of homes or communities that already have solar energy and battery storage installed. Sure, you may still pay more for food. But you can drive your electric car for free, run heat pumps for free, keep the refrigerator running for free. You’re not hanging on every “tweet” from a politician to find out whether your home is about to get very, very cold (or hot) tonight.
Solar has been the fastest category of energy production installed in the U.S. over the past year. But our government seems determined to kneecap the industry. Some conspiracists suggest that the anti-solar crusade was planned. Frankly, I don’t think the people in charge are that smart. Much of what they do seems driven by impulse and the promise of another quick buck, not a “long game” strategy.
As you may know, Washington terminated the Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) at the end of 2025. The government has also reduced eligibility for several Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentives supporting solar and renewable power projects. At the same time, it’s clawed back federal money for solar incentives, including programs such as the $7 billion “Solar for All” initiative aimed at expanding solar in low-income communities. These efforts were halted or terminated because they supported “the scam of the century.”
Meanwhile, the Pentagon spent about $6 billion on the first week of the Iran attack. Depending on how long the oil-influenced “Operation Epic Fury” lasts, U.S. taxpayers could be footing a bill of $200 billion or more. Solar energy really sounds like a bargain.
China, one of Washington’s favorite adversaries, is churning out solar panels and accessories at unfathomable speed, with ample government support. This helps explain why China’s recent export growth (roughly 22 percent) blows away U.S. export growth (only about 6 percent). China also runs a large (and growing) surplus, while the U.S. has a rapidly increasing structural trade deficit.
Imagine a political pivot to support and embrace the solar revolution. Throw in some wind farms, and maybe a few of the new (presumably safer) small-scale nuclear reactors. Would we still be invading places like Venezuela and Iran? Couldn’t those billions spent on missiles and bombs be spent on solar subsidies?
Renewable power is not political. It’s simply sensible. Combined with battery storage, it’s ready to push oil back where it belongs: in the annals of history. Let’s talk sense to the people who represent us. Tell them to get on board with the future—or get out of the way.
Veteran journalist Matt Power has reported on innovation and sustainability in housing for nearly three decades. An award-winning writer, editor, and filmmaker, he has a long history of asking hard questions and adding depth and context as he unfolds complex issues.
Dear America: Please Cancel the War on Solar
Whatever your views toward America’s military adventurism, it seems beyond debate that we need a mass solar conversion more than ever.
I won’t bore you with my views about Washington’s recent military adventurism. I know that you, our readers, have strong opinions about this. I think the end result will shape how all of us “feel” about this anxious moment in our lives.
I’d be cowardly in my mission, as a journalist and advocate for more sustainable building, however, not to call out one indisputable lesson from the last few weeks.
Our fossil fuel dependence makes us vulnerable.
Oil and gas prices are spiking at every street corner. But things seem even worse across the pond. The United Kingdom, India and other countries have come close to depleting their entire reserves of natural gas. But don’t count our good fortune too soon. We’re simply further downstream from many supply chains.
To really understand this, we have to look past the simple metric of gasoline prices. Fossil fuels impact almost every aspect of modern living: medicine, transportation, food prices (try making fertilizer without fossil fuel), construction materials, shipping—it’s hard to think of anything higher oil prices DON’T affect.
There is one exception. Fossil fuels don’t affect the operational costs of homes or communities that already have solar energy and battery storage installed. Sure, you may still pay more for food. But you can drive your electric car for free, run heat pumps for free, keep the refrigerator running for free. You’re not hanging on every “tweet” from a politician to find out whether your home is about to get very, very cold (or hot) tonight.
Solar has been the fastest category of energy production installed in the U.S. over the past year. But our government seems determined to kneecap the industry. Some conspiracists suggest that the anti-solar crusade was planned. Frankly, I don’t think the people in charge are that smart. Much of what they do seems driven by impulse and the promise of another quick buck, not a “long game” strategy.
As you may know, Washington terminated the Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) at the end of 2025. The government has also reduced eligibility for several Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentives supporting solar and renewable power projects. At the same time, it’s clawed back federal money for solar incentives, including programs such as the $7 billion “Solar for All” initiative aimed at expanding solar in low-income communities. These efforts were halted or terminated because they supported “the scam of the century.”
Meanwhile, the Pentagon spent about $6 billion on the first week of the Iran attack. Depending on how long the oil-influenced “Operation Epic Fury” lasts, U.S. taxpayers could be footing a bill of $200 billion or more. Solar energy really sounds like a bargain.
China, one of Washington’s favorite adversaries, is churning out solar panels and accessories at unfathomable speed, with ample government support. This helps explain why China’s recent export growth (roughly 22 percent) blows away U.S. export growth (only about 6 percent). China also runs a large (and growing) surplus, while the U.S. has a rapidly increasing structural trade deficit.
Imagine a political pivot to support and embrace the solar revolution. Throw in some wind farms, and maybe a few of the new (presumably safer) small-scale nuclear reactors. Would we still be invading places like Venezuela and Iran? Couldn’t those billions spent on missiles and bombs be spent on solar subsidies?
Renewable power is not political. It’s simply sensible. Combined with battery storage, it’s ready to push oil back where it belongs: in the annals of history. Let’s talk sense to the people who represent us. Tell them to get on board with the future—or get out of the way.
By Matt Power, Editor-In-Chief
Veteran journalist Matt Power has reported on innovation and sustainability in housing for nearly three decades. An award-winning writer, editor, and filmmaker, he has a long history of asking hard questions and adding depth and context as he unfolds complex issues.Also Read