Photovoltaic, solar panels is the fastest growing segment of renewable power source in the US. Capacity has tripled from 2015 to 2016. The US has a total of 60 gigawatts of solar capacity. Enough for about 11.3 million homes. In the sun belt solar makes extreme sense as a supplementary power source because of all the days of bright sunlight. So why is solar so advantageous?

Advantages of Solar Energy

• Solar costs have come down over 60% of what they used to be and are dropping. Roof top units are very suited to urban areas, not taking up usable space.
• Rooftop solar is a distributed source, not centralized making power generation more resilient and diverse. A good thing.
• Quiet, no sound from solar.
• Moving parts wear but solar has no moving parts improving reliability and less maintenance.
• Energy is easily generated and to transport.
• Panels work in a broad temperature range, if the Sun shines it make power.
• Reduces over all energy costs. During heat waves it offsets the higher environmental systems power requirements.
• Once install, the power is free for self-owned systems.

Problems of Solar Energy

So, what are the challenges to solar?
• Only works during daylight hours, non-productive at night.
• Storage, there is no optimal storage technology though batteries are getting more effective and improving all the time.

Benefits of Wind Energy

wind turbines operate like conventional power generation sources, such as steam plants. It is the largest source of renewable energy implemented in the US. 90 gigawatts worth, one and half times current solar implementations. This is three times the production of a decade ago. Like solar, the costs are continuing to fall. Technology has contributed to increases height making the wind turbine more efficient. What are the advantages?
• Clean, wind is a non-polluting power source.
• Wind can be built on farms and ranches, leasing is a source of income for those living a rural lifestyle, but the land is still available for other uses.
• Cost effective, costs nothing to produce once built.
• Not imported, a domestic product and a nation’s wind supply is abundant.

Limitations of Wind Energy

But like anything else there is a downside:
• Transportation. It is difficult to get the power into the grid from remote areas out in the country. Power transmission is limited, and you need to push a higher voltage to move it farther. And there are power line losses as resistance is converted to radiated and waisted heat.
• Intermittent source. No wind, no power generation. Unreliable source for around the clock production.
• Loud, turbines make noise as they turn. Making wind a no-go in an urban environment.
• Taller is better, above the trees and buildings, but presents on challenges on acceptance and not viable around airstrips and airports.

Other Types of Renewable Energy Sources

What other sources of renewable energy do we have available?
Hydro electric – Still a big producer of power in the US. It contributes to about 7% of our annual power generation. Water turns turbines using gravity as a power source. But hydroelectric plants need dams. These are large scale constructs that take time and resources to build. Unfortunately, they also are very disruptive to river ecosystems, both upstream and down. Decomposing bio matter in flooded areas releases significant carbon and other climate changing gases like methane.
Geothermal energy – Once thought clean is being reconsidered and it is tied to geographic area rich in geothermic activity. But drilling to tap this resource is expensive. Deep bores in the earth release toxic and greenhouse gases and can cause earthquakes.
Biomass – Is the conversion of plant matter to heat or fuel. Biomass is your fireplace and both ethanol and biodiesel are biomass fuels. Large scale use burns throw away items but reduce biomass that can be used as natural fertilizers. Natural gas, coal and other fossil fuels are one-way fuels that when consumed pump CO2, CO and other greenhouse gases into the air. So, does burning biomass, but the CO2 is reabsorbed to grow the next crop taking this gas out of the air and producing oxygen.

Renewable Energy & More in Arvada, Aurora, Black Hawk, Boulder, Broomfield, Centennial, Cherry Hills, Commerce City, Englewood, Golden, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Lafayette, Littleton, Parker, Thornton, Westminster, Wheat Ridge & Greater Denver, CO | Jefferson & Gilpin County, Colorado

Given the daytime restrictions of solar, and the wind dependence of wind turbines, even if not the sole producers of power they significantly offset the other power producing methods and supplement power production. For off-grid rural living they are the mainstay of power production. Call Advanced Electrical Solutions Corp for a consultation of your home or business today.