What is Solar Energy?

There are many advantages to green energy that go beyond simply being “green”. The industry is expanding and is creating new jobs. It also makes electricity grids more robust and improves access to energy in developing countries. It also helps reduce energy prices. These factors have all played a role in the recent revival of renewable energy, with solar and wind setting new records in electricity generation.

Over the last 150 years, humanity has relied heavily upon coal, oil, and other fossil fuels for powering everything including light bulb to cars and factories, and from automobiles to cars. The greenhouse gasses released by fossil fuels from burning them have reached historic highs.

The temperature average of the surface is rising because greenhouse gases trap heat that would otherwise escape to space. Global warming is a sign of climate change. Scientists now use the term”global warming” to describe the complex changes affecting the climate and weather systems on our planet. Climate change is characterized by the rising temperature, extreme weather events changing habitats for wildlife and population growth, rising seas and many other impacts.

Renewables, like any other source of energy, have their own trade-offs. One of them can be described as renewable electricity. Renewable energy, in its strictest sense is precisely what you might believe. It is either perpetually available or according to according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration states, “virtually unlimited.” However, “renewable,” does not necessarily mean sustainable as are the main opponents to hydropower dams or corn-based ethanol. It does not include other sources that have emissions that are low or zero, and also have advocates like energy efficiency and nuclear power.

3 Examples of Renewable Energy sources

Hydropower: Humans have used the power of rivers for centuries in order to tap into their energy, and to build dams to regulate water flow. The world’s largest source of national renewable energy labs is hydropower. It is a major source of hydropower which includes China, Brazil and Canada being the top producers. While hydropower is theoretically an energy source that is clean that is replenished through rain or snow however, there are a few drawbacks.

Large dams may create disruptions to the river ecosystem and communities. This could lead to displacement of residents as well as wildlife. Silt accumulation can cause hydropower generation be less efficient and damage equipment. Drought can also lead to problems. According to a 2018 study carbon dioxide emissions in the Western U.S. were 100 megatons higher than normal over a period of 15 years. This was due to utilities turning on gas and coal in order to replace the lost hydropower due to drought. Hydropower even at its full capacity, has emissions issues as the decaying organic material in reservoirs emits methane.

Dams aren’t the only best method of harnessing the power of water, but also is wave and tide energy. While marine energy projects account for less than one percent of renewable energy but they still have the potential to produce 500 megawatts. This area has been encouraged through programs such as the Saltire Prize in Scotland.

Wind The energy of wind has been used for energy production for more than 7,000 years. Wind turbines that generate electricity are now popping up across the globe and include China, the U.S. The United States and Europe are the top producers of wind power. Between 2001 to 2017, the world’s cumulative wind power grew by 22-fold. It was 23,900 megawatts, but it could generate 539,000 megawatts.

Although some might be dissatisfied about the way wind turbines appear in the sky or their sounds, wind power is now more valuable than ever because of its falling cost. While the majority of wind power is generated by onshore turbines, the majority of it is generated by offshore wind farms. Most prominently, they are located those in U.K. and Germany. In 2016 one of the first U.S. offshore wind farm was launched located in Rhode Island. Others offshore wind farms are growing in popularity. Wind turbines pose a threat to birds and bats. They kill hundreds of thousands annually, but not as many as from collisions with glass or other threats like habitat loss or invading species. Engineers are looking for ways to make these secure for flying wildlife.

Solar: Solar cells are changing the energy market across the globe, from rooftops on houses to farms on a large scale. The photovoltaic panel’s installed capacity has increased by 4,300 percent in the decade between 2007 and 2017.

Apart from solar panels that convert direct sunlight to electricity, concentrating sunlight power (CSP), plants also employ mirrors to concentrate solar power plants and derive thermal energy. The U.S., Japan and China are the top three countries in solar transformation. However, solar requires a lot to complete. In 2017, the U.S. generated around two percent of the electricity. Worldwide, solar thermal energy is used for solar heating and cooling and hot water.

Solar energy can be used to power your home

Installing a solar photovoltaic house system is the best option to conserve money on solar energy. The [xfield_companyThe Shneyder Solar Solar Marketplace is a great starting point to search for the perfect system at the right price. Sign up for free estimates from pre-screened, certified solar installers near your location. It’s easy for you to review quotes as well as to understand crucial metrics such as costs per watt.