With the massively growing renewable energy sources each different form has its pros and cons. Solar and wind will be the two we focus on for now. Starting with the pros and cons of solar energy the main and probably the most obvious is that it is renewable. As long as there is light there will be power, which is also one of solar powers downfall because it is only available during the day. Although the low impact and other benefits of solar power may be outweighed by the very expensive cost to manufacture and install in order for them to start producing energy. That decision varies from person to person and is up to you to decide. Wind energy is very similar to solar in the ways that it is renewable and has little to no impact on the environment. Wind turbines are the exact opposite as solar powers in the way they are visible. Most times you may not see a solar panel but wind turbines stand up to 328 feet tall. According to the source wind energy is infinite and very effective, powering up to 600 homes for each unit. Since 1980 wind turbines have decreased in price by 80%.
While each source of energy has their own list of pros and cons, as does everything, you need to decide which one is the best fit for you and your town. Would you rather have something smaller and more expensive or something much larger and much cheaper? Would you be willing to have to conserve energy at night with solar or sometimes not have wind at all?
Sources: http://energyinformative.org/wind-energy-pros-and-cons/
http://energyinformative.org/solar-energy-pros-and-cons/
Will you be using the article from our book about "A Path to Sustainable Energy by 2030"? This seems to fit with your topic and be more credible than these two links to a .org website. I am a bit skeptical of this source, as .org sites tend to have a bias/agenda. What kind of organization is Energy Informative?
ReplyDeleteHow will you be focusing your issue and research on Colorado? What do solar and wind opportunities look like in our state right now? How much are we using these technologies, and what room is there to grow?
I like the way you phrased your questions; they really make you think. I feel like in your first paragraph you are telling us what is going on and you are not holding anything back. l really enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteI find this topic interesting. I see many of my neighbors installing solar panels but I have the question too as to how exactly it works and what happens during the evening hours and how is it stored in a house? I look forward to reading your future blogs.
ReplyDeleteBrett,
ReplyDeleteMy topic for my blog is very similar to yours. I'm analyzing renewable energy in CO and whether our state is doing enough to promote the issue. If you are looking for an interesting project for renewable wind turbines, check out the Rush Creek Wind Project. It takes place in Northern Colorado and will include building 300 wind turbines.
I look forward to reading more of your blog posts as you find more and more information on these topics.
Good Luck!