Why Solar Energy is One of the Top Alternative Energy Resources

The next time you go to fill up your car with petrol,diesel or even the more recent innovation of bio fuel think about the fact that it will be one of the last times you do this. Okay, so it is still going to be a good few years until these sources of fuel run out completely, but, as prices continue to rise, technology continues to thrive on creating new devices that use alternative energy resources.

Bio fuels might still be around a bit longer than the others, but eventually we will be using more easily gained and renewable resources. At the moment there are three main sources of alternative energy, but before we have a look at them let us ask ourselves a very simple question - is alternative energy really a new concept?

Why should we ask ourselves this? Well, when it comes to using the power of wind to do something for us that we would rather not do ourselves then history is teaming with evidence of wind power being utilised in our past. We had sailing ships up until the later part of the 19th century, we used and still use wind power to some extent to grind wheat. There is even evidence of a wind power land vehicle that used a sail to capture the wind and catapult it and it's enthusiastic passenger across the land.

Hydro power might seem like a new concept, but again if we take a step back in time we will see that water from rivers was used to turn wheels with the purpose of grinding grain.

Solar power, again, may seem like a new invention, but if we take a look out of our living room window and into our pretty gardens then we will easily be humbled by the fact that evolution has used solar (sun) power for millions of years to provide energy for plants. The advantages of solar power are obvious if we just look up.

What we have done more recently is not so much invent alternative energy sources, but rather to re-invent them to suit the modern needs of today.

If you have ever considered using solar power to power your home or would like an example of the advantages of solar power then read on:-

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Renewable Alternative Energy While Off The Grid

In some remote regions, finding ways to be independent can be necessary to survival. Many individuals live in extreme weather climates or in remote, less unpopulated areas. In these areas, the interruption of service of electricity and gas to cool, heat, and illuminate homes and property, can be common for days or weeks. Many homeowners and business owners have an interest in the ecological aspects of alternative forms of energy and the self-sufficiency many types of renewable energy resources provide.

Many individuals have purchased gas generators to supply energy to their homes during blackouts from storms or other causes. These generators work well for areas that experience interruptions in service for short times. Although the individual needs to continue to supply fuel for the generator, so it will continue to produce energy. Using nonrenewable energy sources will not be effective enough in areas that have extended interruptions of service.

The term "Off The Grid" refers to being independent of utility companies that supply energy. These remote areas often take longer to restore interrupted service because of the remote locations. The more densely populated areas, take precedents over the less populated areas, in terms of repairs and restoration of services when interruptions occur.

For those who live in the mountainous ranges that receive massive snowfall, travel and service interruptions may last much longer and require renewable energy sources to survive outages during extreme weather. Renewable energy sources provide the energy necessary to be independent, and self-sufficient. Ice, snow, falling trees, and limbs often compromise electrical lines.

This type of devastation was evident during the ice storm of 2007 that affected the Midwest. Many would not consider the areas affected as 'remote locations'. However, many homes and businesses were without power for nearly two months before the utility companies could restore service in all areas.

This delay in restoring power and delivering propane caused broken water, sewer, and gas lines from the freezing temperatures. The devastation for some, continued long after the storm and the restoration of power. These lengthy delays cost numerous business millions in lost revenue and profit.

The effects of the weather and the loss of power has affected major populated inner cities as well. The heat wave of 1995 was devastating to the Chicago area and many cities near the Eastern seaboard. The Weather Channel video, (2010), of the event indicates that 739 people died because of the extreme heat and loss of power.

The extreme increase for the demand of energy compromised the systems that supply energy to these areas. Had renewable energy resources been in place, even as a backup system, then maintaining energy to keep cool could have prevented many fatalities and some of the problems experienced during this heat wave. These are just a few examples of why the use of renewable-alternative energy is ever growing.

Researchers, environmentalists, and scientists are always looking for better ways to supply energy using renewable resources. Years ago, many people were skeptical about alternative energy sources using wind and solar power to provide energy. Today, these resources are providing power to entire cities across the country. These resources are creating new forms of utility companies that once again ensuring consumer dependency.

Many individuals are joining scientists and researchers in developing less expensive renewable energy sources that can remain off the grid. This in turn eliminates the amount of power the electrical company currently provides, to satisfy individual energy needs. To learn more about the latest breakthrough in renewable energy resources that can reduce or eliminate dependency on utility companies, please visit: http://earthissues.info

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The Main Kinds of Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is energy that is obtained from natural sources--such as the sun and wind--and can be replenished or renewed naturally. Since renewable energy can usually be obtained without doing significant harm to the environment, people have been developing many ways to utilize it efficiently. While the use of renewable energy is not a recent phenomenon, investment in these technologies has grown in recent years as a response to the rising prices of fossil fuel and the effects of global climate change. Here are the five primary types of renewable energy sources:

• Wind energy - Strong winds are capable of running wind turbines which are used in some areas to produce electricity. Normally these can be seen along shorelines, especially in areas where the wind is especially strong. Wind energy is a clean energy that can be utilized as long as the wind continues to blow.

• Water energy - Strong currents of water are also capable of producing electric power. Areas where there are big waterfalls are at an advantage since waterfall currents are extremely strong and can help supply a portion of a city's electrical needs. Water energy is divided into different forms. These are: ocean energy, hydroelectric energy, kinetic energy from damless hydro, and hydroelectric power from micro-hydro systems.

• Solar energy - Solar energy is obtained from sunlight. This technology relies on solar panels that collect sunlight and turn it into voltage which is then stored in a battery for future use. A group of solar panels is called a photovoltaic array and many homeowners are now installing their own arrays at home to supplement or satisfy their energy needs. Solar energy can also be used to power individual items, such as lights and portable generators.

• Biomass energy - This energy is derived from industrial factories that process wood and agricultural products. It is a natural product from the synthesis of trees and other plants. While carbon dioxide emissions are produced through biomass, the amount is lower than that from the burning of fossil fuels. In addition, biomass cuts back on the need to produce new landfills as significant amounts of waste are consumed in the biomass process.

• Geothermal energy - Geothermal is obtained from deep in the Earth's crust. Radioactive particles inside the Earth are constantly decaying, producing an energy that we can exploit for our own usage. While it's not always easy to utilize this form of energy, once a geothermal power station is up and running it provides a source of clean, reliable energy with minimal effects to the environment.

Although not all of these technologies have been utilized to their full potential yet, it is expected that investment in alternative energy sources will continue to increase in the coming years. It is likely a combination of these technologies that will help lead us to a cleaner energy future.

Ted Eckersley has worked in the renewable energy industry for close to two decades. Visit the author's site for more on the advantages of solar energy.

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Alternative Energy and 3 Reasons Why Funding For Alternative Energy Is Important

Alternative energy encompasses a range of energy sources that all have one thing in common: they are not based on fossil fuels. Excluding hydroelectric energy and nuclear energy, which are well-established technologically, there are a number of new energy sources at various stages of development.

Biofuels, whether they are derived from sugar, corn, or cellulosic waste such as corn cobs and cornstalks, represent an alternative energy source. Ethanol is a first generation biofuel, but better biofuels with higher energy content are on the horizon and will be ready for commercialization within the next 3-5 years.

Another example is wind power, which can be generated by wind mills locally or large wind turbines set up on hill tops and in the ocean. Solar energy is also a form of alternative energy, including solar photovoltaic panels that generate electricity and solar heaters that produce heat simply by focusing the sun's energy. Geothermal energy should also be included in the group of alternative energy sources on the rise. Vast potential sources of geothermal energy are available by tapping into heat trapped deep beneath the surface of the earth. Geothermal energy is also readily available to virtually every homeowner on a smaller scale. The constant 55 degree Fahrenheit temperature of the ground about 4-6 feet deep allows consumers to generate heat in the winter and cooling in the summer by burying a system of pipes in the back yard.

Alternative energy, regardless of the source, should be developed and encouraged for three important reasons.

1. Developing sources of alternative energy reduces our need to burn fossil fuels, reducing carbon emissions.

2. Non-fossil fuel-based sources of energy create energy security, allowing countries to be more self-sufficient in their energy production and less dependent on imported sources of natural gas or petroleum that are subject to cartel-controlled pricing from unfriendly or downright hostile trading partners.

3. While supplies of fossil fuels continue to be adequate at the current time, the amounts are not unlimited. The supplies of fossil fuels are being diminished daily. The cost of petroleum will inevitably rise, even without unfriendly cartels restricting supply to drive up prices. The most ardent supporters of petroleum must acknowledge that, at some future time, alternative energy sources will be necessary.

For all of these reasons, funding for alternative energy is very much in the national interest. That funding is needed now.

Columnist Thomas Friedman appealed to the Congress in one of his recent essays: "Stop lavishing money on repaving old roads and pinching pennies when it comes to pioneering new frontiers."

I agree, especially when it comes to the development of alternatives to fossil fuels.

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to two of my Living Green Reports when you subscribe to the Living Green and Saving Energy Newsletter at http://livinggreenandsavingenergy.com/
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Easy Alternative Energy Solutions Makeing a Difference and Save Money

Alternative energy solutions have been given a lot of press lately, but still remain a mystery to most of us. Wind power, solar power and things like magnetic energy are only concepts for most of us.

In this day in age when energy bills continue to skyrocket and paychecks continue to get smaller and smaller you would think more people would want to implement some of these alternative energy solutions rather than keep paying for high cost energy.

On top of this, these other energy solutions have a positive impact on local communities and the environment.

It may very well be time to look into alternative energy solutions if for no other reason than financial gain. There are now many ways to leverage renewable resources like wind, water, and sun to put a little bit of extra money into your bank account.

This has been supported by thorough research over the last 10 years. You can make money with alternative energy solutions and be happy knowing that you are able to help the economy and the environment. If you could rely less on natural resources like oil, gas, and coal why wouldn't you consider embracing nuclear power? As well, there are many other natural ways to manufacture energy.

You could use certain alternative energy solutions for your home or business to lower your heating and electrical bills.

Being encouraged to use less electricity from major power plants these days makes generating your own through the use of do-it-yourself kits in your home or professionally installed devices in your business or office a lot more attractive.

Do it yourself solutions have some minor start up costs, but if you use these natural resources and they will begin to pay off sooner than later. You can use alternative energy solutions for lighting, heating, and a variety of other electrical needs. Research this topic further to find out if alternative energy sources in your home are right for you.

For those of you in the Midwest, alternative energy solutions like wind power are plentiful. As wind technology is being researched further, the government and other organizations need land on which to build windmills or wind turbines as they are called.

When it comes to these wind energy devices, in certain circumstances, the government will pay for you to rent them the land and you'll still be able to use most of your land for other things as wind turbines don't take up very much space.

Windmills are just one of the many alternative energy solutions that the government is funding, however, the electric companies and other resource companies are starting to come up with their own plans as well.

Overall, this is good for the community and good for the environment. Not only is the environment healthier, but this creates more jobs for everyone in the community, and better electricity options at a lower cost to everyone.

Stop and think for a moment that for every windmill that is constructed, there are two or three jobs created just to maintain each one? This directly impacts the local community economy for the better.

So if this is great for the community, for the economy and for the environment, why couldn't you use these power alternatives to put some money into your pocket as well?

By supporting the research and development of alternative energy solutions, you will help to ensure a better future for everyone this touches.

If you want to learn more about these alternative energy solutions, lower your energy bills and have a positive impact on your environment and community, then come on over and read more about how it can be done.

Come Over And Check Out Some Alternative Energy Solutions At The Cheapest Electricity.

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Alternative Energy Sources and Combating Global Warming

One of the latest issues that has almost everybody concerned is global warming. The climate is changing and the prognosis doesn't look good. Global warming refers to the unabated rise in the average temperature of the planet as brought about by the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Many believe that the use of alternative energy sources will reduce carbon emissions and that will help hold back global warming.

Greenhouse gases are created by both natural processes and human activity. The major greenhouse gases are water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide, ozone, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). There are many causes of greenhouse gases but the primary culprit is the consumption of fossil fuels that continued to release carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Deforestation compounded the problem because trees and plants are supposed to absorb the carbon dioxide but now there's not enough of them left to do the cleanup of the atmosphere

Scientists also blame the use of CFCs in refrigeration systems and in fire fighting, and other manufacturing practices in producing the greenhouse effect. Even the application of non-organic fertilizers in commercial farming operations also gives rise to another greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, the presence of greenhouse gases in the country can be traced primarily to the burning of fossil fuels. Official figures for 2006 place the contribution of using coal, natural gas and petroleum to local greenhouse gas emission at about 82%. On the other side of the globe, China is seen to add more than its fair share of greenhouse gases because of the many traditional power plants that were just built in the country's inner regions. Greenpeace, on the other hand, reports that the current levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are the highest within the last 150,000 years with the 1990s as the warmest decade and 1998 as the warmest year in recorded history.

If mankind will not keep in check the various activities that continuously discharge greenhouse gases, humans will experience a drastic climate change over the next century at a much faster rate than has been observed in history. All is not lost, however. There is still time, although it is very short, to undertake sweeping measures to rein in the emission of toxic gases that are bound to kill all of mankind.

The most critical step is the efficient use of energy through the reduced consumption of fossil fuel primarily oil, petroleum, and coal. Man should use energy that comes from renewable sources like the sun, wind, ocean, and biological material.

Energy that does not harm the environment when used is termed green energy. It usually comes from the renewable, natural sources. There are several methods to generate clean and safe energy from renewable sources. Electricity generated through wind turbines, solar panels, and from geothermal plants cost much less and emit little to no carbons compared to coal and gas-powered plants.

Cutting down global dependence on fossil fuel and increasing the use of alternative energy sources is said to be one of the more effective solutions to the threat of global warming. Per Greenpeace projections, the efficient utilization of renewable sources can supply half of the total energy requirements by the year 2050. Same projections also estimated a near 50% reduction in carbon dioxide emission within 43 years.

Governments around the world are instituting measures to shift energy sourcing from the traditional to the alternative sources. In March 2007, leaders from the European Union agreed to joint efforts in cutting emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. To achieve this, they will need to obtain at least 20% of their power requirements from renewable sources. The deadline was set to 2020. Many governments provide tax credits and other incentives to businesses and private individuals who use green energy.

Resorting to alternative energy sources is only one way to cut down on toxic gases but there are many other ways that humans can help in the world wide effort to alleviate the greenhouse effect and curb global warming.

Sue James is an enthusiast of renewable energy efforts at the residential and government level, and very concerned with extensive pollution of our planet. http://www.easy-wind-energy.com/

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Alternative Energy A Focus In Oil Producing States

Here is a surprising bit of news. Efforts are underway in two major oil-producing states to establish renewable energy sources to supply a part of the overall energy needs of the state. Believe it or not, alternative energy is emerging in both Alaska and Louisiana, two of the largest producers of petroleum in the United States. In fact, the State of Alaska has the largest petroleum and natural gas deposits in the USA.

First, let's look at what Alaska is doing. The source of renewable energy in Alaska is wind energy. And why not? Large sections of Alaska are on the ocean, receiving strong and often reliable breezes from the water. Large expanses of Alaska are also flat, allowing wind to sweep steadily over large tracts of land. Alaska is also relatively unpopulated, reducing the problems coming from citizens who don't like the appearance of wind turbines.

Currently 20 communities in Alaska are using wind power for at least a part of their electricity needs. Other wind-based energy projects in the Last Frontier are under development.

As an example, the city of Kodiak, Alaska now generates 9% of its total electricity needs from wind. The installation of three wind turbines installed in 2009 has resulted is a reduction in the use of diesel fuel in Kodiak by more than 900,000 gallons, saving $2.3 million annually for the local utility.

Hot on the heels of Alaska's push into renewable energy is a recent announcement by the state of Louisiana that alternatives to petroleum are part of its energy future as well. The State of Louisiana, long known for producing oil and petrochemicals, has announced approval by its Public Service Commission of a pilot program with the stated goal of generating 350 megawatts of power annually from renewable sources. The longer-term objective is for the state to supply 2% of overall energy needs from alternative, renewable sources.

The sources of that renewable energy are initially conceived to be from a mix of technologies that would include geothermal, solar, wind, and biomass conversion.

That casts a wide net and leaves a lot of details still to be determined. Unlike Alaska's more concrete moves into wind energy, the fact is that the program in Louisiana is essentially devoid of details. The state would initiate projects through a process of requesting proposals from potential suppliers, and it appears that pretty much anything is open for consideration. I like the broad-mindedness, but the lack of a thought-through direction is a reason for concern. Some effort to create a strategy would help focus the proposals and avoid a lot of financial boondoggles.

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to two of my Living Green Reports when you subscribe to the Living Green and Saving Energy Newsletter at http://livinggreenandsavingenergy.com/
The newsletter brings you practical tips and information on how to create and enjoy a green lifestyle and save money. The newsletter is absolutely free!
Would you like to save up to $1000 per year for life by going green? The Ebook "6 Weeks To A Greener Lifestyle" shows you how. And "How To Take A Green Vacation" gives you all the information you need to travel in a more eco-friendly manner. Get all the details here: http://livinggreenandsavingenergy.com/ebooks

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