Solar Power

Solar energy vs wind energy   by Steve

The wind and the Sun are two sources of energy that can be accessed directly by anyone and offer a viable alternative Power source to those living in a suitable location and with the right technology, one which is sustainable, economical and friendly to the environment.

Wind turbines can be scaled from those that measure over one hundred metres tall, generating up to 4 or 5 mega watts of electricity, to small devices that can be installed on caravans or boats to provide more modest levels of around 100 Watts. When a wind turbine is directed straight into the wind the mechanical rotation of the blades is turned into electrical energy by the use of a generator. The mechanical nature of wind turbines makes them susceptible to friction which can significantly reduce the efficiency of smaller turbines. Large onshore and offshore wind farms which contribute to the national grid often cause controversy due to their obtrusiveness and the hazards they present to birds.

Solar Power refers to a variety of ways in which energy can be drawn from the sun. Electricity is produced from the sun by the use of photovoltaic (PV) cells. These PV cells are semiconductors which demonstrate the photoelectric effect which is a characteristic of certain materials that absorb photons from rays of light and release electrons in the process. These PV cells are expensive however and the high cost of assembling large enough panels of them to generate enough energy to power a house means that it will usually take 20 to 30 years to recover the costs of the panel themselves and the installation. Since around 70% of a household