Photo by Gisela Giardino
The United States is currently facing an increasingly severe energy crisis. In addition to their rising cost, the environmental damage done by fossil fuel based power plants makes finding effective alternatives vital. On the other hand, these alternatives must be able to provide dependable and inexpensive energy to the American people. Fortunately, solar, hydroelectric and wind power are promising alternatives to traditional energy sources.
Solar Power
Solar power has a wide range of advantages for both industrial and household use. Among the most important advantages are the following:
• Modern photovoltaic (PV) panels systems are extremely reliable and affordable.
• Most regions in the United States experience enough sunlight to make installing PV panels an economically wise decision.
• Solar power systems can be easily added to preexisting structures and power grids without requiring expensive structural modifications.
Because of the decentralized nature of solar power, these systems can be added to homes and businesses on an individual basis. For more information on the growing utility of solar power, see Vivint’s Facebookpage.
Wind Power
Wind power is an excellent choice for regions that are trying to become energy independent. Wind power has the following advantages when compared to coal or oil power based power plants:
- Wind power produces no pollution during its use, making it safe to use near residential neighborhoods.
- Wind power farms can be easily expanded as needed, which allows them to keep up with the region’s population.
- As with solar power, wind is an inexhaustible resource.
- Wind power farms can be dual use, with farming or other activities taking place alongside the wind turbines.
As with solar power, wind turbines are well suited to a decentralized power generation model, making them easy to integrate into the current power grid.
Hydroelectric Energy
Hydroelectric energy is one of the most common sources of renewable energy in America, with 6.3 percent of America’s total electricity being generated by hydroelectric power. Due to its unique nature, hydroelectric energy has a wide variety of advantages when used to generate electricity:
- Hydroelectric power plants can be used in combination with reservoirs used for irrigation or drinking water.
- Hydroelectric energy can be generated at any time, independent of external factors.
- By using excess power to pump water into the reservoir, a hydroelectric station can function as a battery, storing its energy until it is needed. This can be especially useful when combined with solar or wind power.
By becoming serious about adopting these renewable energy sources, America can reduce both the cost and pollution associated with electrical power. With the increasing importance of low cost and dependable power, meeting this goal will be vital for America’s prosperity and security alike.
Following Vivint’s Twitter feed will let interested individuals track developments in this field as America becomes more serious about renewable energy.
