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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.
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.
Fact of the matter is still getting your source of energy from India, when you are not India, is still not energy independence either, regardless of whether or not you do or do not like India more or less than China.
The craziest part about all of this is that Europe is quite literally not independent in any way whatsoever, especially not in matters of energy of any kind.
Solar panels aren't fuel. They aren't the source of energy. They're used to collect energy. The source is the sun.
It's a very simple idea that people who are used to fossil fuels don't understand. Or don't want to understand.
Solar panels aren't oil. They're oil rigs. Except they last longer and need less maintenance. And the well will, practically speaking, never, ever run out.
If you burn natural gas you're independent for as long your stockpiles last. It will run out. Probably within a month or two.
If you can use solar and batteries for everything you're energy independent for at least 25 years. Then Europe can recycle them themselves and even make all-new ones. Because 25 years is more than long enough to learn how to do it.
Europe will never ever be energy independent if it has to import fuel. Gas, petroleum, and uranium are fuel.
Solar panels aren't fuel. Repeat that to yourself over and over and maybe you'll understand it. The fact that you call it "emotional rationalization" tells me you don't really understand, or don't care to understand.
Until there's a geopolitical event occurs and your supply chain gets cut off so any expansion, warranty, or replacement units cannot arrive, so you're stuck at the your current level of deployment (which may or may not be sufficient for your needs).
From a geopolitical standpoint running a country on locally produced renewable power is obviously the least risky approach, even if you get cut off from further expansion of your renewable production.
Barring significant damage, you can maintain approximately your current level of power generation for years at a time without more than routine maintenance.
Fossil fuel power requires constant input of, well, fossil fuels.
So while what you're saying is true, it would be a ludicrous stretch to say that it brings solar panels within a few orders of magnitude of fossil fuels in terms of dependency on foreign powers.
Solar panels are capex. Oil is opex. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgxb8I1nk2I
Are people really suggesting the opposite: that the renewables transition should not occur, and the EU should continue to burn gas from more and more desperate sources, until it can be onshored?
And it's not like you cannot find good alternatives outside of China. They may be more expensive, but they exist (and are high quality - Germany).
All of the materials used are readily available and manufacturing is not incredibly difficult. Inverters and control circuitry is way more of a risk than the panels themselves but there are stockpiles and sources that are good for many places
By coincidence I had my solar panels installed round about the time construction started on Hinkley Point C. They've already paid back their installation cost. I don't expect to replace them any time soon.
The more failure prone component is the inverter, by a huge margin.
The photos hitting my solar panel don’t travel through the straight of Hormuz.