Everyone knows that we have to find more sources of renewable energy, and that the need is becoming ever more urgent. We all know that fossil fuel will not last for ever, but perhaps more importantly the burning it creates dangerous greenhouse gas emissions. There is more and more interest in using a wind solar energy system in domestic situations.
Power from wind is increasing at a rate of around 30% every year. It is widely used in Europe, North America, and Asia. This kind of energy is ideal for rural areas. Wind power involves using wind turbines to produce electricity. Windmills can be used for mechanical power, and wind pumps can be used to pump water or for drainage.
Wind turbines can be set up in multiples to produce wind farms which can then be connected to the electricity network. These have been proved to be very effective for areas which are isolated. However it is becoming more and more common to see residential properties with their own wind turbine outside. These wind turbines can be very efficient at producing energy, and some owners find that they have excess electricity which they can then sell back to the utility company.
Wind energy is an incredibly clean way to make energy, and it does not produce any greenhouse gas. This makes it a wonderful alternative for fossil fuels, as it is relatively easy to generate and is completely renewable. However some people have concerns over the way the wind turbines look, as they can be a blot on the landscape. Some have been put in areas that were previously very beautiful, and they definitely do not look great. There are also some complaints about the noise they generate.
Another clean and renewable source of energy is solar power. This literally convert sunlight into usable electricity. There are at least two ways of generating solar power and one is where fences or mirrors can be used to focus the sunlight onto a small surface area. Another way is by using photovoltaics, as these are able to convert solar energy into electricity through the use of semiconductors. Currently the largest such power plant which uses photovoltaic power can be found in Canada.
Solar power is great and the sun is shining, but weather conditions can sometimes make it impossible to generate this energy. It is therefore important that it is used in conjunction with other forms of energy such as hydropower and wind power. In the past people may have thought it was quite pricey to install, but these costs are decreasing as its popularity increases.
Where photovoltaic systems are in use, it is quite common for the concentrated heat that is produced to be used in a conventional power plant. These kinds of systems can also use tracking systems to follow the sun. Photovoltaic systems are also used in domestic situations, and installations are increasing all the time.
Solar energy is not a new development, but started out in the 1860s. Even then people recognised that fossil fuels could not last forever. It did not really start to take off until the 20th century. An increasing number of homes now get part or all of their energy from a solar system.
Over the years governments have tried to make renewable energy more attractive to consumers. The Feed in Tariff program scheme was introduced in Canada in 2006 to make this an attractive option, and the scheme was updated again in 2009. The need to use a wind solar energy system will only become more urgent.
Solar Power devices, green energy sources like the field of science is around every day. The children learn alternative energy with fun optical equipment, telescopes and science lab equipment.