Renewable Solar and Wind Energy

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incredibly silent because there is nothing to produce the noises by operating.

On the other hand, solar system not only has advantages but also has several disadvantages. Fist of all, its initial cost is very expensive. Approximate cost of the best quality solar cells is above $1000. Storing energy is also charged high cost because the batteries needed for solar energy is expensive and are heavy and large. Sun energy can only be collected during the daytime when the sun is out and it is highly influenced by the climate and weather patterns of the area where solar panels are located.

Another renewable energy is wind power. The utilization of wind power is increasing due to its economic and environmental advantages. The article, Pros & Cons of Wind Energy from Windustry, indicated that, “The potential for wind energy is immense, and experts suggest wind power can easily supply more than 20% of US. And world electricity” (Windustry 1).

Through the wind industry, rural economies can be revitalized because wind energy can diversify the economies by providing new types of income and adding to the tax base. Also wind energy farm can generate jobs such as meteorologists, surveyors, structural and assembly engineers etc. “Wind energy creates 3-% more jobs than a coal plant and 66% more than a nuclear power plant per unit of energy generated” (Windustry 2). Similar to solar power, wind energy is pollution free and and keeps water and air clean.

Wind is a form of solar energy because it is caused by the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun. Electricity is generated when the wind flow (motion energy) is harvested by “wind turbines”. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power for homes and businesses. What wind turbines are like aircraft propeller blades that turn in the moving air and power an electric generator. They are the opposite of a fan because unlike fan using electricity to make wind, they use wind to generate electricity.

The wind turbines are divided into two groups; the horizontal-axis variety and the vertical-axis design. In these days, horizontal-axis turbines are the most preferred type. The horizontal turbines consist of blades, drive trains, towers, and other equipment. Blade converts the energy in the wind and drive train has a gearbox and a generator. A tower supports the blade and drive train. A single wind turbines average 260ft in height, are taller than a football field. Higher tower is better to prevent potential damage on the wind turbine and to minimize turbulence while maximizing the speed of wind. Usually a large machine produce enough electricity to power 1,400 homes and a small size machine can produce power for an all electric home or small business.

Recently offshore wind farms are becoming popular because wind speed on average are 20% greater over water than over land, and air is less turbulent over water. Even though the cost of maintaining turbines in water is much higher, stronger and less turbulent winds make more profitable. The textbook discussed about the case of the United States as, “no offshore wind farms have yet been constructed, but development of the first was approved in 2010 after nine years of debate. The Cape Wind offshore wind farm, will feature 130 turbines rising fro Nantucket Sound 8 km off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts” (Withgott 375).

However, it is debatable that wind energy has several disadvantages to be operated. Turbines can generate electricity only when the wind blows and unlike solar system, wind turbines are not silent. As the blades spins and the motor runs, large sounds are produces especially when wind turbines often used. Wind systems are required to transport large and heavy equipment and can cause temporarily disturbed area until the end of constructing. The biggest problem is that wind farm can pose a hazard to birds and bats. They are killed when they fly into the blades and large raptors like golden eagles are known to be at risk.

Although Solar and wind energy have some disadvantages to completely alternate fossil fuel now, they have potential to be utilized in the near future. The cost of solar PV continues to decline and these will penetrate increasingly larger markets. And wind turbines are needed more studies on environmental impact and should find the solution of its problems. As both of renewable energy sources are developing its technology, they will alter the fossil fuel when it runs out.

Works Cited

"How Solar Energy Works." Union of Concerned Scientists. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2015.

"Pros and Cons of Solar Energy - Conserve Energy Future." ConserveEnergyFuture. N.p.,

10 Jan. 2015. Web. 09 Dec. 2015.

"Wind Energy Basics." Wind Energy Basics. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2015.

"Pros & Cons of Wind Energy." Windustry. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2015.

Withgott, Jay, Scott R. Brennan, and Jay Withgott. Essential Environment: The Science

behind the Stories. San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings, 2007. Print.