Renewable Energy Solutions Usage
We are all aware of the impending energy crisis. An important thing we need to do is reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. These types of resources are decreasing at such an alarming rate that there will be nothing left of it in our lifetime. We have already used up 50% of the oil in the world and at this rate will use the remaining 50% too in the next 30 years.
For centuries, renewable alternatives have been in use on a small scale. Unlike coal, oil and gas these resources do not run out. Wind solutions, solar solutions, and hydro solutions are three of the most easily accessible renewable solutions available in our planet.
Wind Energy Solutions: These have always been considered as “expensive”, “unreliable,” and “inefficient.” However, there has been a significant decrease in the cost of the wind solutions due to the constant technology upgrades in the past few years. The initial cost like any other “green” solutions is higher than traditional sources. Just like any other alternatives, the long-term savings more than offsets the initial expense.
Most of the people mistakenly still believe wind solutions to be unreliable and inefficient. Wind alternatives, according to a recent study of Midwestern wind farms, provide 17 to 39% return on the power they consume while the standard return on a coal plant is around 11%. Wind solutions give us more than they consume.
Is there really so much wind that blows to make a windmill or wind turbine a great investment? The answer, most definitely is yes. They generate electricity almost 60 to 85% of the time. On the other hand, plants are shut down for regular repairs and maintenance and they often slow down output when there is a decrease in demand.
Solar Energy Solutions: Have you ever imagined that you could make money from the sun? Solar solutions make it possible to not only reduce your power bill but also sell power back to the power company. Is there anything better than taking free, plentiful power and making money out of it? There is once again an initial investment when installing a solar power system, but it more than pays for itself in the long run.
Contributing your bit to make the world a greener place is also an additional benefit along with all the others. The system is low maintenance too besides making you money and helping the environment. Once they are installed, they take very little of your time and effort. You can cook you meals, dry your clothes with solar power in addition to solar lighting and heating systems.
Hydro Energy Solutions: 70% of the earth is covered by water. We can use it to create electricity required to run our homes in addition to using it for cooking and cleaning. Over 90% of the renewable resources currently produced in the United States are generated by hydroelectric dams. 19% of the globe’s renewable resources are made up of hydroelectricity. There are no negative by-products of hydro solutions unlike coal or nuclear facilities.