Solar and wind
By Nicholas Markum
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Nicholas Markum
Professor David Barrette
Writ101
5, March 2013
Wind and Solar Coal and nuclear energy is far in-superior to wind and solar energy because of the ramifications that they harbor. Solar and wind are more cost efficient in the long run than coal and nuclear energy plants. Solar and wind in my experience is clean, efficient, renewable, and everyone should have it. The demand for renewable resources such as wind and solar is at it is all time high in the United States. It has dramatically increased since 2007. The environmental communities are respected supporters of wind and solar power due to the fact of global warming and air pollution of traditional power plants such as coal and nuclear power. “Less than ten percent of the United States electric power renewable comes from renewable fuels” (Taylor, Malinda E.). The sun does not give off carbon dioxide omissions, it is not running out soon and it is free energy. The sunlight has energy in it, usually when light hits certain object, that energy turns into heat, but when that light hits certain materials, it turns into an electrically current that we can capture power from. By using solar cells, we can take sunlight and we convert it into electricity (Locke, Susanna). “The first solar cell was constructed by Charles Fritt’s in the 1980’s.” “The Earth receives more energy from the sun in an hour than it is used in the entire world in one year” (Blakers, Andrew). Figure 4
Most environmental problems about solar is land use and where they sit. Rural land owners say it obstructs their views and takes away their natural landscapes. (Taylor, Malinda E.)One of the major advantages to solar energy is that it gives off absolutely no bad carbon bye products when harnessing that energy. There are no emissions in this process, there is no fuel cost, and the power is on as long as the sun is out. Solar even has an advantage over water-power because water requires large turbines that can mess up aquatic habitats. Solar has no moving parts; solar cells are completely safe for the environment and completely sustainable. (Allbritton, Matt) “The solar industry creates four-hundred jobs every ten megawatts of solar generated annually” (Blakers, Andrew). The downside to solar is the initial expense. Solar panels are not cheap because the silicon crystals they use are hard to grow. Their batteries are also expensive, but in the long run it pays off. “It would only take zero-point three percent of the world’s land area to provide every nation with electricity” (Blakers, Andrew). “Weight for weight, advance silicon based solar cells generates the same amount of electricity over their life-time as nuclear fuel rods without the hazardous waste” (Blakers, Andrew). All components in the solar panel are recyclable. There are over four-hundred plus United State wind related facilities. The connect energy that wind creates when it turns a wind turbine is electricity that can be harnessed. The wind moves the big turbine blades, which than transfer’s energy to a central unit than to the generator. The generator than takes the mechanical energy and turns it into electric energy that is than sent to power grid. Wind is one of the cheapest alternative energies. (Figure 5)

The world’s largest wind turbine is currently the enercon E-126 with a rotor diameter of 196 meters. It produces six megawatts and it powers about five thousand European homes. Wind power is more affordable and it is in abundance. It is pollution free and is price competitive with coal and nuclear plants. In 2011, around 3,464 turbines were put up across the United States. Wind power in the United States powers around eleven million homes. It creates a lot of income for the investors and land owners. It also provides manufacturing, construction, and jobs. Wind facilities have created jobs for over seventy-five thousand