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Fossil fuels and alternative sources of energy
Advantages of solar energy essay
Advantages of solar energy essay
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Recommended: Fossil fuels and alternative sources of energy
Julie D’Agostino
Mrs. Shipe
Effective Writing Code 8 even
13 March 2014
Solar Energy, Beneficial to All Users
Many people question how energy is obtained. The question consists of where it comes from, how it is used, and if it will ever run out. The general American uses types of energy that come from fossils that have been in the earth for millions of years. Fossil fuels have been used for as long as people can remember and are continued to be used in today’s society. Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources, which means they are impossible to gain back once used up. Although these fossil fuels have supplied energy to the majority of the United States for many years, the supply of them is diminishing and a new solution needs to come about. Sustainable energy is the energy of the future. These types of energy can be reused over and over again due to the form in which they come in. Many forms of sustainable energy are effective; however, solar energy provides the most beneficial aspects through financial and environmental methods for the United States.
Solar energy is a new concept that many are not familiar with, therefore, comprehending can be challenging. After a long attempt to discover how to use the sun's energy, scientists discovered solar panels that will absorb the rays that can be used to produce energy. "The sun supplies us with about 20,000 times the energy we can actually use" (“Solar Energy,” Earth Explorer). Solar energy is a leading form of sustainable energy which is used around the world to supply heat and electricity to homes. On the smaller scale solar energy can be used to recharge a phone, supply a calculator with power and run many other things. Solar energy can be an avenue to many advances fr...
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... lead to many advantages in the future.
Solar energy exists all over the world and by using the sun to produce energy that can impact the users. This type of energy has not always been used to its full advantage and now it can be. Solar energy is the obvious choice for the United States to start using more because of its financial benefits that lead to reduced electric bills and jobs. Also solar energy is an asset because of the environmental services it allows. With having no byproducts and no waste solar energy leads to a more green world. The supporters of solar energy are very widely spread from state representative to the makers of the solar panels. Another set of supporters are the schools who use solar energy for many ways to benefit their school. Solar energy has a guaranteed future that could change that entire way in which society looks at energy.
Semantically fossil fuels are a renewable source of energy, however given that it takes millions of years for the organic materials to be broken down and converted, it is wholly unrealistic to consider them as renewable. As the demand for fossil fuels increases and source diminish faster than they are replentished, the United States must work towards a renewable energy independent state using truly renable sources, both technically and in practice. With changes in the home, as consumers in buying goods and with alternative fuel sources backed by public trust and governmental involvement, the United States could drastically lessen its dependence on fossil fuels, foreign and domestic.
The sun has been a major aspect of life since the beginning of time. People used many other forms of energy before electricity was discovered. There has been a debate over energy resources for years. Many people are worried about what current energy resources may be doing to the environment. Oil spills and nuclear power plant mishaps have only been a few accidents that have had a big impact on the environment and the people who inhabit it. There are plenty of energy sources that do not harm the environment and are still able to get the job done. Solar energy is one energy alternative that will insure the betterment of the country and, at the same time, protect the natural environment.
In this modern fast paced world that we live in, there are many issues that are looked over, energy is one of these. As a world, we are dependant on dwindling fossil fuel supplies and take for granted electricity, oil, and gas. There are four completely renewable sources of energy around us that should be used and developed, they are: wind, growing plants, flowing water, and the sun. These sources of energy are the ones we should be tapping, because they are reliable and renewable. Harnessing the suns energy is the most certain and ultimate energy source. Looking at a brief history and some facts about solar energy, a glimpse of the future can be seen, a future not dependant on fossil fuels.
The year is 2200. The world is going through a fossil fuel shortage. Oil reserves are almost completely consumed and it is becoming impossible to find new fossil fuel sources. Not prepared for this event to occur, The United States, has no alternative options. As a result of the oil shortage, the standard of living deteriorates. Heat in homes, supermarkets full of food, and transportation, all basic necessities taken for granted, will be depleted because fossil fuels are used to power almost everything. The key to the prevention of this future is renewable energy. Unfortunately the support for the use of renewable energy is weak and ineffective. Unless the US puts forth effort to research and promote the use of renewable energy to consumers, conversion from fossil fuels to renewable energy will no longer be an option.
...sidered as a viable alternative energy source at the present, nonetheless if, with further research, efficiency continues to increase and the cost to produce solar panels continues to decrease, solar energy could be a major contributor to power in the future.
Preview: Today I will discuss the potential that solar power has to become this country’s main supply of energy and the latest research that can make solar power more efficient and cost effective. I will also present the environmental benefits that come with using solar power over other and more harmful forms of energy.
To begin, we will take a look at solar energy. Solar energy is exactly what is it, energy that comes from the sun. Solar energy is a process in which solar rays or the heat that the sun gives off is collected by solar panels made up off cells called photovoltaic (Toothman). These cells are made of silicon in its crystalline form and other semi conductive materials combined with it. When the sun light hits the silicon, the heat causes the electrons in the material to start moving freely. Then an electric field causes these electrons to move in a form of a current. By conducting that current we can siphon the electricity off into batteries, and store the energy made.
We depend on energy; nothing in our daily lives could be possible without it. Electricity primarily comes from burning fossil fuels or using nuclear reactors. But the plain truth is, we are running out of fossil fuels. Our known oil deposits will run out in approximately 35 years, and if we increase the use of natural gas and coal to make up for the energy loss, our natural gas will last for 45 years and coal deposits will deplete in 75 years.
... and monthly water filling. Solar energy is the cleanest and purest form of energy, allowing for cleaner air overall in our environment. There is great hope for a lot more solar panels to be installed worldwide. Solar is a viable alternative energy with solar panels becoming more affordable and more efficiently designed.
The United States currently relies heavily on coal, oil, and natural gas for its energy. While the price of natural gas per barrel continues to plummet, the United States is constantly seeking new sources of renewable energy. Renewable energy consists of any type of natural resource (solar power, ocean power, wind power, rain, snow, etc.). that naturally and automatically replenishes itself. Renewable energy is important because it is infinite and everlasting, meaning our children and our children’s children will be able to utilize these resources long after we are gone.
I am certain that all have heard of the terms greenhouse gases, fossil fuels, and global warming. Have you ever questioned what will happen if nothing is done about the environmental problems facing the world today? What if I answer you that, we can merely use the power from the sun to power up our entire planet without the use of harmful energy sources, which affect our atmosphere? The power from the sun is what we call solar power. Solar power is the energy that comes from the sun as light and heat energy, and then it is later converted into electrical energy through solar panels (Nelson, 2008).
The Earth captures around 342 W/m2 of energy from the sun. This energy is in the form of solar radiation, which the atmosphere reflects about 77 W/m2 and will absorb around 68 W/m2 of solar radiation annually. Therefore, the Earth’s surface is receiving, on average, about 197 W/m2 of solar radiation annually. This amount of energy received is roughly more than 10,000 times the amount of all energy humans consume per year. This energy can be used to produce electricity or heat. This energy source is not being used to it’s potential considering how much effort would come into effect to store and transport this energy.
First of all, solar energy is the energy produced when the sun heats the solar panel. Thus, when the sun heats the panels, it produces electricity. Solar power produces energy during the day and can store energy for the night. Solar power does not pollute the environment. However, it has high maintenance cost, and it takes a lot of land space.
The world that we live into today affords us the expectation that the flip a switch will turn the lights on. As populations increase and developing nations undergo dramatic economic growth, this energy demand will only continue to grow. The International Energy Agency (IEA) believes that “the world’s energy needs could be 50% higher in 2030 than they are today” (ElBaradei). Given this projected growth, it is necessary for world leaders must take action to secure the energy supply. Meaning that world leaders need to start seriously considering an alternative to non-renewable energy sources. “In 2012, the United States generated about 4,054 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. About 68% of the electricity generated was from fossil fuel (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), with 37% attributed from coal” (U.S. Energy Information Administration). The fossil fuels that are used to supply over half of our country’s energy are in finite supply and are increasing in price to astronomical heights.
Using fossil fuels such as coal and oil is inefficient, dangerous, and otherwise a process that is known to eventually fail as a long lasting energy source. Yet, there is hope for the future of energy, this new hope has many shapes and forms, but requires a chance to be fully implemented in our everyday life. Such energy sources like solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, and hydro power are the key to our future. These energy sources are proven to be long lasting, safe, more reliable, and the next innovation. In short, all Americans should switch to renewable energy, resulting in a safer and more efficient world.