"We periodically need replacements for our magical energy making machines" is a problem, but it is orders of magnitude less severe than "we will run out of fuel for our furnaces tomorrow."

That said, "running out" of oil isn't necessarily a real problem for the US, as we're net exporters of oil. The oil we export isn't the same kind as the oil we refine, but we could build refineries to refine our own oil and achieve "independence" that way. It'd just be less profitable.

> In Europe, right?

Germany makes a lot of high quality solar panels.

But whether you like China or not, buying their panels and equipment to make yourself energy independent is a reasonable option, especially if (when) their products are good quality and priced well.

Your independence is only at risk if China decides to stop offering you the things you need. In that case, your future supplier will have to change. But not only is that unlikely to happen, it's irrelevant to the NOW. In the NOW, you could be buying tons of what you need to become self-sufficient.

Countries other than China make panels too. India is dealing with an oversupply from domestic production right now: https://solarmagazine.com/2025/08/india-solar-supply-chain-f...

Once you've bought the panel, unlike oil, that's it. The panel doesn't remember its national origin.

Clearly uneducated take.

The photos hitting my solar panel don’t travel through the straight of Hormuz.