| Two of the main sources of renewable energy are | | | | windmills for under $200 with parts that are easily |
| solar power and wind power. Each solution has its | | | | obtainable at a local hardware store. |
| own benefits, and used together, these alternative | | | | Disadvantages: |
| energy sources can provide plenty of power to a | | | | An obvious disadvantage with wind power is that it |
| home or even a whole town. However, what are | | | | needs wind to work. If the turbines are in an area with |
| advantages and disadvantages of each? This article | | | | a high average wind speed, then they make sense. On |
| reviews the advantages and disadvantages of one of | | | | the other hand, this leaves places with little wind speed |
| these solutions: wind power. | | | | a bit deficient. The only way to compensate for the |
| Advantages: | | | | decrease in power generation is to add more windmills. |
| One of the main advantages of wind power is that it | | | | Windmills are unsightly. Unlike solar panels that can |
| provides plenty of electricity. A single large wind turbine | | | | blend relatively well to the roof, windmills do not provide |
| can create a enough energy to run several large | | | | an appealing visual. Though they may be |
| buildings, and would be plenty to power as many as | | | | environmentally friendly, they can be eyesores. The |
| 1,400 homes. Even a small wind turbine with blades | | | | only solution would be to place the windmills where |
| eight meters in length or less can dramatically reduce | | | | they are not as visually obstructive, though with homes |
| or sometimes even eliminate energy costs. | | | | being built closer and closer together, this can be |
| Additionally, wind turbines require no cost to run | | | | increasingly difficult. |
| besides normal maintenance. As the wind blows it | | | | Wind turbines can also provide a hazard to birds and |
| does all the work to turn the rotor the generate | | | | other animals. These animals can be killed or injured |
| energy. After the initial setup, one would simply have to | | | | while flying though and around the windmills. The noise |
| make sure that the energy from the windmill is getting | | | | generated as the blades rotate can also cause small |
| to the power lines or generator. | | | | shifts in the ecosystem that can have negative impact |
| Economically speaking, wind turbines are relatively | | | | on habitats or food chains of animals. |
| cheap. Other energy sources like geothermal heat or | | | | This article presented three advantages and |
| solar panels can easily cost thousands for a residential | | | | disadvantages of using wind power. Each of these |
| property. Windmills on the other hand can be | | | | points should be considered when implementing a wind |
| significantly cheaper, especially if one builds it as a | | | | turbine as part of a renewable energy solution. |
| do-it-yourself project. Some people have even built | | | | |