2 Most Important Alternative Energy Breakthroughs in Modern Times!

[Dominick Penny]

Alternative energy is becoming more appealing as energy costs and
environmental concerns rise.  Two of the most exciting
alternative energy breakthroughs are solar and wind.
Solar energy is harnessed by by placing solar panels where they can
absorb the most sunlight and convert that heat into electricity. Wind
energy is when the power of the wind is used to turn a wind turbine
that's connected to a generator, once again to produce electricity.
 
As the cost of power lines and power has been soaring, alternative
energy is rapidly becoming more affordable and reliable than
ever.  However, despite what some might say, alternative energy
is not necessarily a "zero carbon emitter" but it does come very close
and it is generally sustainable.  
When you factor in the ecological impacts of fossil-fuel and nuclear
generated power, alternative energy is certainly lower impact. 
The timing for alternative energy is now, putting electric companies
and electricians in a great position to capitalize on this booming
business.
The most common forms we consider as alternatives to burning fossil
fuels are solar and wind power.  Solar energy is our oldest
energy source, humans have always used the sun's energy directly (eg,
for drying clothes, heating air or water and drying food), as well as
indirectly to power some of the agricultural equipment that supplies
us with food.  We can all use this solar energy directly, simply
by capturing sunlight..  
Solar systems are a reliable and cost effective method of harnessing
the sun's energy with many benefits.  Solar power is a fast
growing sector in the alternative energy industry.  
This century we have started to use solar energy more effectively and
it is looking like we'll increase its use in the future.  The
great feature of solar energy is the fact that it will continue to
exist so far into the future that we can think of it as being
unending.  
In addition, unlike fossil fuels, using solar energy doesn't cause air
pollution or involve damaging the Earths surface.  
Farmers across America are discovering that they can control the
impact of soaring fuel costs with cost-effective solar thermal and
electrical systems.  They are slashing up to 70% off their energy
costs by using solar alternatives for:
1. Water and air heating for dairies
2. Heating and temperature control for greenhouses
3. Heating & LED lighting for meat-bird houses
4. Crop drying
5. Water and combustion air heating for food processing
6. Remote area water pumping
7. Lighting
8. Electric fences.  
These days many governments offer subsidies to encourage people to
convert to solar power systems for their homes.  For systems
installed before 2009, a federal solar tax credit returns 30% of the
first cost of a solar system to you in the first year.  In
addition, up to 65% of the installation cost of your solar system may
be recovered by Focus on Energy rebate incentives and Federal tax
credits that dramatically reduce the time it takes your system to pay
for itself.
As well as helping the environment, converting to a home solar energy
system also helps the health of your finances and adds value to your
home.  But, if you are a handy type of person you can build your
own solar power and small wind turbine systems yourself.  By
building your own wind turbine and solar powered generator you can
save yourself money when setting up home green energy systems.
Wind energy has been harnessed on land since the first windmill was
developed by the ancient Persians in the 7th century a.d.  Wind
energy continued to be harvested over the following centuries, early
windmills were used to power millstones, pumps, and forges.  
Wind energy is a resource which is abundant and easily accessible in
most parts of the world.  Wind energy, a renewable source of
electric power, is the worlds fastest growing energy source. 
Wind energy or power is the newest way to generate energy without
running up an electrical bill.  
Because it's available all year round and is a more permanent type of
energy, wind energy can be used for practical purposes like generating
electricity, charging batteries, pumping water or grinding grain.
Wind energy systems offer a clean affordable alternative to fossil
fuel generated electricity.  They are among the most
technologically advanced and cost-effective renewable sources
currently available and are easily installed using minimum space.
Wind energy is a clean, cost-effective option from an abundant,
domestic resource and can be converted into electrical energy by the
use of an electrical generator.  Winds as low as 10 mph are all
that's needed to produce useful electricity.
Wind energy advantages over traditional methods of creating energy,
emerge from the fact  that as it gets cheaper and cheaper to
produce, it may soon be the cheapest way to produce energy on a large
scale.  
Wind farms are springing up everywhere to harness the wind energy to
power our communities through the main electricity grids. Because
winds are stronger higher up off the ground, wind turbine towers are
about 30 metres tall to allow the rotor to catch more wind.
Design improvements such as more efficient rotor blades combined with
an increase in the numbers of wind turbines installed, have helped
increase the worlds wind energy generating capacity by nearly 150
percent since 1990.  Each megawatt hour of wind energy that's
generated currently avoids the generation, on average, of one tonne of
greenhouse gas emissions.
Alternative energy is cleaner than fossil fuel energy, is renewable,
gives you independence from foreign oil, helps control rising electric
bills and allows development of new venues in more areas.  
The other thing is that fossil fuels (natural gas, oil and coal) are
not a renewable resource and, apart from the negative effects on our
environment, they're running out and will eventually be completely
exhausted.
In the USA, wind energy accounts for less the one percent of the
electricity generated, but installed capacity has been expanding at an
average annual rate of more than 20 percent, plus there are a number
of small wind energy devices that you can use to generate power, and
most of these are very cost effective in providing a substantial level
of electricity.

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