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Uses of solar energy essay
Uses of solar energy essay
Utilization of solar energy essay
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There are three possible energy sources. The sources are: wind, solar, and fracking energy. There are ups and downs to all the renewable energy and here they are.
Solar power is only one of the forms of energy. Solar power has its advantages but most of the people the people think the solar panels are expensive disadvantages, but it’s actually an advantage. Solar power starts saving money from day one. Electricity is one of the key things we need to clean up and solar power is the way to do so. (Shanan 1-4) Solar energy is a visible form of alternative energy. Solar panels capture energy from the sun’s rays and convert it to electricity. Solar power offers a clean form of energy. Solar energy carries political considerations just as petroleum does. (Linden 1-4) Virginia Water Resource Research Center has found that solar photovoltaic uses about 21 times less water than nuclear power about 16 times less water than coal power and 8 times less water than a combined cycle power plant. (Shanan 1-4) Solar power has disadvantages also. Solar panels make a ton of pollution when their built, and sun doesn't always shine on them. (Shanan 1-4) They may take several years too see a return on investments. Solar energy is not universal because different areas of the world get different amounts of sunlight. Solar energy may not offer the best solution: there distractions, they have high environmental costs and they have a large outlay of cash. There can be contamination from radio activation saved used to make solar panels. (Hinder 1-4) Installation is expensive being $80,000 for a three bedroom after the federal rebate. The angle of the roof, percentage of sunlight and the area of the country all play a part in the effect of how much it will co...
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...er is injected into the ground during Fracking. Eleven earthquakes over several days caused oil and gas problems in Poland Ohio. (Stuart 1) There are so many catastrophes due to pollution containing water and making minor earthquakes. (Baylis 1-2) More gas extraction means more climate changes. Tracking and storing spilled fracking fluids lead to contamination. Acids, Detergents and Poisons that are not regulated by federal laws that can seep into drinking water. (Brantley 1-4)
After doing the research on all three of these power sources I think that solar power would be the better way to go. Solar power is the safest way to get power without polluting the air or grounds. Solar power is expensive but I would rather do the expensive route that is safer for the environment than the cheaper and most harmful alternative for power. We should go green and save the world.
In today's global economy, energy is one of the most crucial and sought after commodities. Who supplies it and how much they supply determines how much influence they have over other countries as well as the global economy. This is why hydraulic fracturing is currently such an important and controversial topic in the United States. Hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as "fracking" or hydrofracturing, is the process of using pressurized liquids to fracture rocks and release hydrocarbons such as shale gas, which burns more efficiently than coal. This booming process of energy production provides a much needed economic boost, creating jobs and providing gas energy for Americans. The efficiently burning shale gas reduces carbon emission from electricity production plants, reducing carbon footprints on the environment. However, the process of hydraulic fracturing uses millions of gallons of pressurized liquid, which contains toxic chemicals, and some of this water is left over undealt with. The air near fracking sites is often also polluted and unsafe for nearby community residents. Injecting millions of gallons of water laced with toxic chemicals into the rock thousands of feet deep can cause earthquakes, causing a safety hazards for all nearby areas. Hydraulic Fracturing makes rare natural gases easily attainable, boosting the economy and reducing carbon emissions. However, the negative side effects such as contaminated water and air, make hydraulic fracturing a process that may not be worth the benefits.
While methane is not a rare contaminant in drinking water wells, the fracking process seems to allow more methane to seep into the wells. A study headed by Duke University’s Robert B. Jackson, a professor of Environmental Sciences, shows that in Pennsylvania, drinking water wells within one kilometer of fracking sites contain nearly six times more methane than in wells farther away (Banerjee). Methane, no matter where it is contained, is flammable, thereby posing a risk for explosion, which is not good for homes. Reports show that a fracking site in Dimock, Pennsylvania caused methane to leak into a water well, where it detonated, leading to even further contamination of other water wells and homes (Henheffer 30). The domino effect presented here raises fear in critics of fracking, who seek only to stop the process from happen-
Fracking can cause harm to people, animals, and nature. When they drill into the ground they are pumping chemicals to extract the gas and oil, and this contaminates the water sources around it. “An editorial on gas extraction from the Marcellus Shale in the Post-Star, a newspaper in Glens Falls, New York, contends, “New York state simply can’t take the risk. There are plenty of places to find fuel. It’s not so easy to find a new water supply for 17 million people.”” (Hydrofracking
Fracking is quickly becoming a debatable topic in our society today. The practice involves injecting fluid into the ground to fracture rock in order to release natural gas. It sounds like it would be a safe way to harness fuels in the earth’s surface, but it actually is a danger to our environment. Because of the dangers of fracking, what little fresh water remains on earth is being contaminated. It is also releasing toxins into the airs creating contaminated air and acid rain. Because of the many health and environmental dangers of fracking, it should be stopped immediately to help prevent more worldwide health issues down the road.
Conflicting reports make it difficult to discern just how detrimental the practice is to the environment and people. What is known is that fracking uses phenomenal amounts of water, which is becoming a scarce resource in many parts of the country. There is no doubt that the fluid used in the fracking process contains chemicals, and when released into water supplies, has negative effects on these sources. Injection of flowback materials into deep wells has been definitively linked to increased seismic activity.
The major sources of energy in the US from highest percentage to lowest percentage are oil, coal, natural gas, nuclear fuels, renewable energy
Alternative energy sources are renewable, and are most commonly referred to as free energy sources. There are many alternative energy sources such as hydro power, solar power, wind, biomass, and geothermal. Using alternative sources is more expensive in the long run, but it is the much safer option for our environment compared to fossil fuels. Although everything used is completely free, such as water and wind, the equipment used to generate these things is expensive. There are several pros and cons that come with the utilization of alternative energy sources.
Preview: Today I will discuss the potential that solar power has to become this country’s main supply of energy and the latest research that can make solar power more efficient and cost effective. I will also present the environmental benefits that come with using solar power over other and more harmful forms of energy.
Numerous reports have been given on the dangerous affects of hydraulic fracturing. One such affect that has been noticed is that drinking water wells near the fracturing sites have been contaminated. During the hydro-fracking process, injected fluids that help to break and keep open the rock bed where the natural gas is kept, have “been known to travel three thousand feet from the well (Goldman).” This fluid could have the potential to enter and contaminate any water well for homes around hydraulic fracturing sites. This incident is one of the major problems that people want to figure out and know about before they allow a fracturing site by them. It has been the most feared outcome of having a fracking site nearby, and it is highly appropriate. One site in Wyoming had this happen, “…in August, EPA reported that eleven of thirty-nine drinking-water wells near a Wyoming hydraulic fracturing operation were contaminated with chemicals used in the fracturing process (Hobson EPA).” In Pennsylvania, another such case occurred, “There have already been severe pollution cases in Pennsylvania, mo...
Two people who believe this are reporters at the Breit Bart News Network. Julian Morris and Victor Nava believe that, “‘Green’ energy subsidies benefit the politically connected while harming future generations as hundreds of millions of dollars are added to the country’s debt burden with each green failure.” In a way Morris and Nava are correct. According to Mathias Aarre Maehlum, “Residential solar systems are typically sized from 3 to 8kW and end up costing between $15,000 and $40,000.” This can add up to become very expensive when implementing solar energy throughout the country. However, with the advancements in technology growing every year the cost will decrease over time. The cost of implementation can in fact go down as well through the use of community solar gardens. This helps the homes that are shaded and cannot absorbs the Sun’s energy. The energy from the community solar gardens are shared through out those homes. Switching to solar energy can also save money over time. Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association confirms this. Resch says, “Today, the solar industry employs nearly 175,000 Americans and pumps more than $15 billion a year into the U.S. economy – and we’re just scratching the surface of our enormous potential” (qtd. in
I have already written about the obvious benefits of going solar. There are other benefits as well that decrease the impact on our earth over time. Solar panels and battery banks have a life of 25-35 years and don't need anything more than general cleaning, snow removal and monthly water filling. Solar energy is the cleanest and purest form of energy, allowing for cleaner air overall in our environment. There is great hope for a lot more solar panels to be installed worldwide.
Solar energy has been around since the 1700s, it has recently made a strong comeback with the hunt for new energy sources instead of crude oil and gasoline, which we use to heat our houses, our stoves, and to run our cars. Since crude oil and gasoline have become less economical due to the recent wars which have caused skyrocketing prices, the green movement has made a strong comeback.
There are many benefits of using solar water heaters. Sunlight is free and environmentally friendly and this planet has so much to use(“Getting better acquainted”). The sun’s energy is renewable, suns energy is all over the world (“Getting better acquainted”). Solar energy has many uses, and it can be stored and used. “Solar energy can be used in many ways to provide heat, lighting, mechanical power, and electricity” (“Getting Better Acquainted”). New steps are being made in solar technology to save resources. America will save so much money and many barrels of oil by switching to solar power, “Skyrocketing fuel prices and tax credit of nearly 30% established in the energy policy act of 2005”(“Tapping into the sun”). The solar water system won’t cost much only “$3000 to $6000” (“Tapping into the sun”) so it will be affordable. “The technology can cut the average family’s costs to heat water by 20 to 40 percent (as much as 90% in some southwestern regions)”(“Tapping into the sun”).
Renewable energy sources have been found to cost more than the benefits that are received from the energy sources. There are many different resources that you can use including water, wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass. These energy sources can differ in cost depending on capital, fuel, and operations and maintenance. Some of these sources are not cheap to build but once they are up and running, they have no fuel cost. There are many reasons to determine when, where, or how an energy source is used. Wind and solar power can only be used for certain services because the sun isn’t always out and the wind isn’t always blowing. Therefore, there are other renewable sources that can be used.
Energy can be put into two broad categories Renewable energy and none renewable energy. Renewable energy sources can be reused continually as they are abundantly found in nature. All of them are non-polluting but devices used to collect the energy may impact the environment adversely. They are free but producing storage equipment or converting them into another form of energy may be costly.