In the U.A.E, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has implemented a strategy whereby residents put up their own solar panels and are paid if there is an excess of power that contributes to the grid.

While the potential does exist, the time it would take to reap financial result would be quite long, hence there is hesitation.

As part of the Gulf News Facebook debate, we were asked to defend our views on the motion

Effectiveness of renewable energy is as follows:

 Can renewable forms of energy, in the way of solar and wind power, make a difference?

This was featured in the paper, given in the link attached below.

http://gulfnews.com/your-say/letters/facebook-debate-renewable-energy-potential-1.1475474#.VQ7p9Eavrao.facebook

These are my views on the topic:

"Availability

While renewable forms of energy, in the way of solar and wind power, have the potential to make a difference, implementation must be on a continued basis. Earth Hour is a much celebrated event, but its significance is downplayed during the rest of the year, as is seen by the huge amounts of disregard for the environment on a daily basis. The strategy for residents to put up their own solar panels and be paid if there is excess power contributing to the grid is a noble one, but certain provisions are to be made for maximum effectiveness.

Subsidizing these for residents who cannot afford to buy and install solar panels would be effective. Though these forms of energy might be a saving grace, they must be efficiently exploited so as to be accessible to all sections of society.|"

I hope that in this small way I was able to influence public opinion for the better so that future action may be taken in the right direction.