There are 26 articles on this title. You are reading the article ranked and rated #14 by Helium's members.
With all the new energy-producing products on the market today, the average consumer knows very little about any particular type. Some might know more about certain ones because of their location. I live where the wind blows alot. Therefore, I know more about wind-generators than most. The masses, however, remain uneducated as to the advantages and disadvantages to alternate energy sources.
Take solar power. People know that solar power is good. It doesn't harm the environment, and it helps cut the cost of electricity in the hot summer months. What most people are oblivious to are the most obvious faults. One, the photovoltaic cells used to produce the electricity are frequently expensive and have to be replaced regularly. Two, these cells also aren't very efficient, so a large quantity is needed to create enough energy to make a dent. More cells mean that more have to be replaced, which means greater cost. Three, these cells reflect sunlight. This redirects sunlight into our atmosphere where it reflects back down upon the world as higher temperatures. That means that your air conditioner has to work harder, which means it needs more energy, which means more cells, which means higher cost, and higher temperatures. It is an ongoing cycle.
Now, what about wind energy? Wind energy is good. It is clean, and fairly efficient. The generators are built to last. However, those generators cost at least $5,000 dollars, and those aren't all that great. If you want to spring for the better models out there, you might have to shell out as much as $20,000 dollars. Of course, then you would have as much energy as needed. However, what if you lived in town? Towns frequently have height restrictions on properties. Also, the buildings reduce wind, which means not as much energy. What if you live where it doesn't blow all that much? Wind-generators are useless when the wind doesn't blow. Also, to use a wind-generator, you have to have a special agreement with your energy company. Most could stand a lighter strain on the energy-producing ability, but some are greedier than others. They want you to buy their energy, and make themselves richer.
There are other types of energy, but, for the sake of the reader, I won't go into the details about those. This article was just meant to inform the reader and to make them think a little more before going out and blowing money on something that they don't need.
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