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If you have thought about using alternative energy sources, then you should be definitely reading this article. There are solar energy advantages and disadvantages which you should know about before making any decisions. 

In today’s world, when the cost of energy is going through the roof, there is a real need for an alternative energy sources. So it is important to know what the solar energy advantages and disadvantages are. 

Solar Energy Advantages:  

Solar power is a free and an endless source of energy.

When you use solar energy, there is no pollution.

Solar power is a great addition to other sources of renewable energy.

Solar power can be applied to power items like solar satellites and cars.

“Sun power” can help reverse the rapid destruction of the planet. 

Solar Energy Disadvantages: 

Large numbers of solar panels would be needed for large land areas to produce the necessary amount of energy.

Only places with lots of sunlight will get the benefits of solar power.

Powering a house using sunlight may be simple, but will become more complicated when it comes to providing energy for an entire country.

Not everyone can afford to have solar systems installed in their homes. 

Now that you have a feel for the solar energy advantages and disadvantages, you can better decide on what the best choice is for you. However, more and more people are moving to green lifestyle every day. Why? – Because everyone wants a healthy and long life for himself / herself and his / her family.  It means the pros of solar power are than its cons.

Also read:

Wind Power Efficiency: Wind Energy Benefits in Comparison with Other Energy Resources

Technorati Tags: advantages, Cons, Disadvantages, energy, Know, major, power, Pros, solar

Geothermal energy is derived from beneath the earth’s surface. There are a variety of different thermal resources, each of which creates its own engineering challenge as to the way that the energy can be tapped. In some cases current technologies are not practical or economic for successfully extracting the thermal energy. To all intents and purposes geothermal energies are renewable because the latent quantities of energy are so large we cannot imagine them running out.

The environmentally-friendly potential is enormous because, in principle, well designed plants could be cost effective and reliable as well as being clean in terms of emissions. Also they need not produce local environmental visual scarring. Unfortunately the emphasis is on the word ‘potential’ because much more research and development and capital investment is required to make a wide-scale success of some of these various sources.

Everywhere under the earth’s surface there is hot material but it occurs in different forms and at very different depths. Four types of resource are recognised which could be used for substantial amounts of energy transfer and used, for example, to drive electric power stations, in theory at least. A fifth method can be used for smaller applications but, despite the modest energy transfers per installation, this method can be easily engineered and therefore is quite valuable in practice. These five resources are briefly discussed.

The main one, applicable to power generation, is referred to as the hydrothermal reservoir and this has some track record of success. The reservoir is water or steam at a high temperature and the way that the heat exchange is engineered depends on the temperature. It is the fact that the heat carrier (water) is already present (and water is very convenient to handle) which makes this source reasonably accessible. The steam, or hot water flashed to steam, is used to drive turbines to generate electricity.

The other three powerful resources are hot dry rock, geopressure brines and magma (molten rock) and although they have the potential to provide energy the current technologies are not sufficiently developed to make them commercially viable. It does not require much imagination to recognise some of the problems. For example the dry rock must be fractured and liquid forced through the cracks; the geopressurised liquids are rich in methane and exist at great depths; the magma is too hot for conventional processes to be used. It should be possible, eventually, to provide large proportions of our energy requirements using these sources but that state of affairs is a long way off.

The fifth and more modest resource is to extract heat from the ground just under the surface and this is a technique that has been used for ages. It relies on the sun’s radiation warming the ground which then behaves as a giant storage medium. Where such heat at low temperatures is available at a shallow depth, a water-circulating scheme with heat pumps can be used to transfer the heat to where it is required. Applications include heating of houses, greenhouses etc but you’ve got to be lucky to have suitable back garden.

As an added feature where heat pumps are used the heat transfer can be used in reverse so providing cooling in summer. This method of heat transfer is not suitable for large scale power generation and since it is dependent on the sun, its applicability is limited in cooler districts. Some installations are available in the UK, although we doubt it would be economical for an individual domestic plot, but may be cost-effective for small community schemes.

The environmental pollution caused by geothermal installations is small because there are few emissions. Visually a geothermal site need not be offensive because of its construction which only requires a small profile and can easily be screened, by trees for example. Nevertheless, there can be a few problems caused by solids produced where salts carried up in the water must be disposed of and there have been cases of subsidence due to the drillings. Perhaps the worst scenario is when magma has unexpectedly found its way to the surface through the drillings. None of these drawbacks are insuperable.

Successful schemes are in operation around the world and some have been continuously productive for about 100 years, although they tend to be located in specific areas. Fairly obviously, location is dependent on the amount of geothermal activity and its depth, something which is related to the earth’s plate tectonics. Countries which have taken advantage of geothermal energy include the US, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Portugal, Iceland, Mexico, Canada and New Zealand.

There are many more, the International Geothermal Association has more than 60 members. Even the UK has three experimental sites in Southampton, Cleethorpes and Penryn although we cannot see geothermal energy becoming a large scale contributor of renewable energy here (wind, water and possibly solar being more likely contenders q.v.). Of the developing countries, maybe half of them have the potential to develop geothermal sites.

In summary, internationally the quantity of geothermal energy is virtually infinite and the environmental benefits are beyond reproach. Set against this are the disadvantages that considerable more Research and Development is needed to take advantage of the buried wealth and even when a commercially viable site is identified the initial investment cost can be a serious deterrent. Maybe if some of the multinationals who have the resources to invest in oil exploration could channel them into geothermal exploration, research and development we might see geothermal energy being tapped on a significant scale. But then we’re prejudiced aren’t we?

Technorati Tags: advantages, Disadvantages, energy, Geothermal

What are the advantages and Disadvantages of Using Green Energy Sources?

Nowadays, we are at this time aware of the aftermath of global warming. Luckily, it isn’t too late and we will be able to still vary which explains why many are pushing for green energy sources.

The benefit of using green energy sources is clean so it is unpolluted so it doesn’t emit anything harmful into the air which has an effect on the atmosphere. It is also renewable which suggests we will never run out of it not like oil which is expected to dry up in 10 years or so.

Though green energy facilities are dear to construct, it needs less upkeep so you don’t have to shell out a lot of money to operate it.

It can also bring business advantages to certain areas even boost tourism.

At the same time as these sound good, there are some who say that there are benefits to using such technology.

While clean energy sources can manufacture electricity, how much it can produce is not consistent. This is because we haven’t any control of the weather so if a certain area relies on solar electricity and there’s a weather distraction, it won’t be in a position to convert daylight into electricity.

Building these facilities also requires lots of land so we may have to cut on farmland which is what many are nervous about if more air turbines are to be put up.

Another downside is the fact that some of the replenish-able energy sources can’t be installed in certain areas of the planet. For example, wave energy can only be employed if the waves coming from the ocean attain at least sixteen feet. The use geothermal energy can only be done in geologically volatile parts of the planet.

But if you look at such discussions, places that can’t use one form of clean energy source can be substituted for another. If turbines need more space, they can be installed close to the coast rather than putting these on land. A study shows that you can create more electricity while these are in the ocean.

At the same time as the weather is something we can’t control, it isn’t common-or-garden not common-or-garden that there’s a weather derangement so this too shall pass. If solar electricity is being used and the sun is covered, the emergency generators will be activated and use up the energy that was stored.

The point is that there are tactics round the bitching put by certain individuals which discourage the use of renewable energy sources. In reality, research is continuing to try and harness other means to create the power we require.

A very good instance of this is known as sea thermal energy. Power is generated by harnessing the altered temperatures in the water. It is presently being used on a tiny scale both in Japan and Hawaii.

In the US, only 7% of green energy sources are used all over the country. This was way higher 11 years back and if we don’t have to fret about the price of oil or maybe reduce our reliance on it, we should invest more in this clean energy.

We can get it from renewable energy sources like biomass, biodiesel, geothermal, solar, water and the wind. These are things we have all around us and all it takes is for somebody to exploit it rather than counting on conventional non-renewable means to supply energy.

To check out a review of Renewable Energy Resource products that can save you hundreds of dollars on your electricity bills click here

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When thinking about wind power, there are several advantages and disadvantages that can sway you to either use or not use it. Some of the advantages of wind power include that it’s a natural resource therefore making it free and friendly to the environment not harming or depleting the ozone layer. No fossil fuels have to be burned so that we may generate electricity.

Because of the fact that wind turbines only take up a few meters of space, they are a lot better for space compared to power plants leaving more room for the environment and agriculture or for the land to be used for other purposes. Win turbines are also a better resource to use in remote locations like the mountains or the country side. They can come in many different sizes so that they may accommodate different levels of population.

Finally another great thing about wind power is that you can combine it with solar power and upon doing this they can be a source of energy for developed and developing countries. Now as stated above although wind power has many advantages it also has several disadvantages. Such as wind power is unreliable, you’re never sure just exactly how much power you are going to get therefore making solar energy a better alternative sometimes. The construction of a wind turbine can last a long time about a year to be exact and can be quite costly. One of the biggest disadvantages is the fact that they create a lot of noise which is fine if u live a few miles away but not so good if you’re closer to the turbine.

So altogether there are many advantages and disadvantages to whether or not wind turbines are truly effective mechanisms to use to create energy

Technorati Tags: advantages, Disadvantages, power, wind

Wind power, or wind energy, is a renewable resource; it is from the sun. The advantages of wind power are many, including practical, environmental as well as economic. There are also disadvantages to using windpower, such as the natural variability of wind, the competition for other land uses, and bird deaths.

wind power, or wind energy, is a renewable resource; it is from the sun. The intensity of solar radiation differs across the globe. Some areas receive intense amounts of sunlight, while others receive much less. The result is a temperature gradient; a gradient which is mediated by the flow of air to and from areas of dissimilar temperatures and pressure systems in our atmosphere. Uneven heating of the earth’s atmosphere,

in addition to irregularities on the earth’s surface and the rotation of the earth create wind. Terrain, water bodies, and vegetation then shape flow patterns.

The recent history of wind power in the United States has a similar impetus to that of alternative fuel sources in general – it was an idea borne from the 1970′s Oil Crisis. It does, however, have a more extensive history reaching back into to late 19th century in the colonization of the American West; millions of windmills were erected for irrigation and cattle purposes to facilitate the growing number of farms and ranches. Many soon feel into disrepair as inexpensive energy sources became more widespread and grid power extended its reach into rural areas used small electric wind systems.

Outside of the US, however, wind power has a broader history. In fact, there was evidence that boats were propelled along the Nile as early as 5000BC via wind energy. China used wind for pumping water several millennium ago.

Wind is harnessed to make mechanical power or electricity. The kinetic energy from the wind is converted through various different processes to create mechanical energy that can be used in lieu of fossil fuels. There are two types of modern turbines – horizontal and vertical axis, both of which work similar to one another and as decried above. Between the two types, they come in an array of sizes from small 100 watt units for single homes to much larger or ones (with a blade diameter greater than 50m). These larger turbines can generate 1 MW of electricity.

The most common used today are horizontal axis turbines with three blades (15-30m in diameter) and produce approximately 50-350 kW of electricity. Often wind turbines are grouped together; the arrangement in called a wind farm that provides energy to an electrical grid.

Vertical axis turbines are more efficient in areas with vast amount of lands and moderate wind speeds. Current technology is looking to develop different turbine types for different areas of wind speed given the amount of land available for farms.

The advantages of wind power are many, including practical, environmental as well as economic. Worldwide, the total kinetic energy contained in wind is more than 80 times that of human energy consumption. While only a fraction of this can be used for electricity purposes, the potential-given future technological developments is great.

Environmental advantages include the fact that a renewable source of clean, nonpolluting energy curbs the demand and use of fossil fuels and emit no air pollution of greenhouse gases, In the US, wind plants have offset the emission of than 2.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide, and 15 million pounds of other pollutants. Also, wind energy is free: the cost of installation and maintenance has dramatically decreased in recent years and future technology ensures only a continual decrease in the prices. As a result, the lifetime investment is much lower than most fossil-fuel systems.

One of the primary disadvantages to wind power is the natural variability of wind in any given locale. Indeed there are certain areas with extremely high average wind speeds, but in most places, wind exposure is quite variable. Wind energy can only be stored with a battery, otherwise it is not. In the latter case, not all energy demands can be met through the natural timing of winds. For these reasons, it may not be a viable option for some. One other disadvantage is the competition for other – more highly valued and profit generating – land uses.

Economic disadvantages include the fact that the initial investment is often higher than fossil fuel systems. The higher costs is mostly due to the machinery which is involves. Other costs include site preparation and installation. The primary environmental drawbacks to wind power are as follows: Noise pollution via the rotor blades Aesthetic impacts (“visual pollution”), and bird deaths.

It is important to keep in mind that many of these problems have been resolved with increasing technology. Avian mortality, however, is still being studied.

Technorati Tags: advantages, Disadvantages, power, wind

There are Advantages and Disadvantages for Building Your Own Wind Energy System. Discover What They Are!

Like any other form of energy, wind energy has immediate and obvious advantages but also some drawbacks. Therefore any decision to install wind energy generators must take into account these different factors.

Wind machines and wind turbines can effectively generate energy as electricity for free as long as the wind is available. Because wind is free and renewable, wind turbines generate clean and renewable energy, which already gives it an immense advantage compared to be contaminating fossil fuel plants that have already done so much damage to the earth’s ecology. In addition modern technology means that wind turbines can automatically adjust their blades to maximize the use of wind even if the direction changes.

In different parts of the U.S., large wind energy installations are being created. In Texas for example the Horse Hollow wind energy center is already powering more than 220,000 homes in the neighborhood. This is done through the 421 wind turbines that are in the park. In addition to this, testing of wind turbines and wind machines can be done in places such as the wind park just off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. It is the first of its kind and likely to be a forerunner of many others.

The immense advantage of wind power that many people see is its cheapness once the initial installation has been made and the fact that using it does not depend on any imported fuel. This is a big advantage compared to fossil fuels such as oil, which the U.S. imports heavily from other countries and therefore must pay for with a considerable part of the national budget.

Wind energy therefore is independent of any particular producer and available to anyone in the country who wishes to use it. Because it is not generated by any particular mechanism specific to any particular country, but rather by the overall effect of the sun’s rays falling on our planet and the way that the earth continually turns on its axis, wind energy is therefore a truly democratic means of generating electricity.

The cost of electricity for wind turbines can be as little as 4 to 6 cents per kilowatt-hour. In making this calculation it is necessary to take into account the financing for the initial installation of the project and also the site selection in terms of the amount of wind available and therefore the amount of electricity that can be generated. However together with other renewable energy of such as solar energy wind energy is one of the cheapest forms of renewable energy anywhere on earth.

In farms and ranches where wind is abundantly available, wind turbine towers can be installed to satisfy a continual demand for low cost electricity. Individual power suppliers also come to business arrangements with farmers renting a few square yards of land to be able to erect towers and generate electricity.

It is perhaps the initial cost of wind turbines, which is the main factor in any financial calculation. Although the initial cost has been reduced over the years, it is still a major factor in terms of installing wind turbines compared with conventional generators. For this reason fossil fuel may still attract investment for some cases.

wind power is also clearly dependent on the availability of the wind itself. Sites need to be chosen where there is as continual a supply of wind as possible. It should also be remembered that natural phenomena such as tsunamis can have dramatic effects on the weather patterns of any area and therefore of the wind supply and velocity.

Because wind parks need a lot of wind and because towns and cities are often constructed in more sheltered areas there is also the problem of making such renewable energy available to city dwellers. Often the installation of electric cables to carry the electricity from the source to the destination is not a profitable activity.

Environmentally, wind turbines to need to make progress in terms of both their appearance, which can be a blot on the landscape and also the noise that they make. Environmentalists are concerned that the harm of the wind turbines may be a distinct disturbing factor on the surrounding ecology.