Pros and Cons of Wind and Solar Energy

Benefits of solar powerdays, a complementary source of power may be
Solar energy systems use the power of direct sunlightneeded. In the areas where wind is more plentiful than
to create power and heat. Solar energy systemsthe sun, a system of wind capture is as valuable as
convert sunlight to electricity through a network ofsolar panels.
Photovoltaic panels placed in a way which harnessesAdvantages of wind power
the sunlight and turns it into needed electricity. Also theWind power is renewable and very cost effective
direct heat caused by sunlight falling on spaces or theThe wind turns a set of blades (a windmill) attached to
panels can create needed heat and light in a room thatan electric generator or turbine. When the wind is
is open and airy. The passive energy created isblowing, the blades move like a wheel. The wind can
economical and abundant. Bright skies and opencreate electricity in a generator. Wind turbines are both
spaces create this luxury that we can easily andlarge and small and can be used unobtrusively. In many
economically use.climates the wind blows more often than the sun
Solar panels may be easily installed. We have knownshines.
about and have used some form of solar energy forThe use of wind systems like solar is very flexible to
at least 40 years and really longer ago than that. Manyconstruct and to use. For the most part it would take
houses or building have taken advantage of themore and larger components working in tandem to
correct placement of windows, skylights, doors, ormanufacture the kind of power one would need to run
open spaces without glass, for hundreds of years.a business, while a home power generator using both
With help a novice will be able to install solar capturewind and solar would be less demanding. It is obvious
materials or they may be installed by professionals.that the same technology could be applied to different
Solar energy systems are inexpensive. Fortunately, wesized projects. The only difference would be the cost.
do not have to pay for the raw materials. There isWind energy systems can be reasonably priced. Like
enough sunlight that hits the earth each day to providesolar, the raw material (wind) is abundant and
for our needs. The cost of the panels and relatedrenewable. It is there for us to capture. The systems
materials used to capture the sunlight is relatively low.will have a price, but when compared with the cost of
We may even be able to pay for all of the capturebuying expendable energy, wind seems like an
materials used by simply switching over to solarexcellent investment.
energy.The question for you is: Do you want to change over
The sun has served us well over the years. But thereto solar and wind energy from what you are using
are drawbacks to solar power.now? The cost is reasonable, the installation can be
Some climates simply do not support a widespreaddone by you or a professional, and the time is would
use of solar power as a single source of energy. Intake to accomplish the project is short.
places where the sun does not shine for a majority of