Everybody wants green energy. Our obvious goal is to find the best way to be able to get the power we need without damaging the environment? Should we be opting for wind farms, hydroelectricity, or solar energy as alternative power? This guide to green living will help us decide
Resources that are regenerative, meaning they cannot be depleted are considered renewable energy. These resources are safe for our environment and produce energy without the harmful pollutants and emissions associated with fossil-fuels.
Wind farms often receive a bad press, especially when they're situated near homes or in popular hiking areas. They can make a lot of noise and because they have to be placed on skylines for maximum efficiency they often spoil views. Offshore wind farms are less problematic in this way and can take advantage of fierce sea winds, increasing their output, but they rely on a nation having a lot of suitable coastline.
While the Netherlands does very well with its wind farms, the US is, considering the comparative size of its population, at a distinct disadvantage. For the home-owner, small wind-powered generators are available, but they're not very efficient and often result in complaints from neighbors.
Hydroelectricity is a much more effective way of generating power, using the natural energy of rivers or tidal forces. However, there are a limited number of suitable locations for hydroelectric generators, and often these are in areas which already provide fertile farmland, so a lot of people have to be displaced and lose their land in order for them to be built. Local wildlife can also be damaged.
The test is being easy to access, non-polluting and practical and solar power is the only alternative that truly passes that test. Even when it is frequently cloudy, modern solar panels can still work effectively. They don't get in anyones way and, once installed, they require very little maintenance. The greenest way to generate the power we need, for these reasons, is to harness the power of the sun.
