We live in a world that is fueled by fossil fuel and organic compounds found in the Earth. Oil and coal are non-renewable resources that are quickly approaching an end. Our daily lives rely so heavily on these things that it will take drastic changes to end non-renewable resource use. There are a couple renewable options available for homeowners today to reduce their carbon footprint: they are solar panels and wind turbines. The reason that every home is not equipped with either of these technologies is because of their high initial cost. Both will save people money in the long run, but the cost of entry is steep. So, which is better? It all depends on the application and where you live.
Solar panels require light from the sun to generate power. They work best in areas of the world that receive the most sunlight. Solar panels are only about 10-15% efficient on average. This means that only 10-15% of the sun’s energy is converted into electricity. It may take an entire roof full of panels to generate a home’s electricity needs. Again, they cost a lot initially, but they could cover an entire houses energy needs.
Wind turbines require wind to generate power. This requires placement in an area that is naturally windy. The propellers or the turbine turns a generator that converts kinetic energy into electricity. Wind is free but there are problems with this approach. Sometimes the most wind occurs at altitudes higher than one hundred feet above ground, so they must be mounted that high up. Some call this an eyesore, but I call it progress. Also, they are known to kill birds. The likelihood that the mass-murder of birds will happen due to wind turbines is extremely small.
I can’t wait for the day when every house has solar panels on it’s roof and every neighborhood has a wind turbine. The way to save our planet is to get off coal and fossil fuels. Solar panels and wind turbines can help us do that.
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