The advantages of windmills
Windmills have several advantages as producers of electricity. There are several reasons you would want to use them to produce the electricity you use. Let’s go through them.
1) No pollution – a windmill, once created, does not pollute the landscape. No greenhouse gases are released by it. Thus it is environment-friendly as no fuels are burnt to create electricity.
2) Modern technology allows for very efficient capture of wind energy. Wind is free and with this great resource to harness it, we have a potentially huge source of energy.
3) Windmills occupy space vertically and occupy very less surface area. Thus the land on the surface can be used for various purposes including agriculture.
4) Windmills are a blessing for remote areas. In such areas, they can very efficiently create electricity for the population, with windmills of various capacities available.
5) According to some people, windmills add to the aesthetics of the land.
The disadvantages of windmills
1) Electricity production from windmills can be erratic based on wind speeds that vary from storm force to zero. Sometimes they may not produce any electricity.
2) According to some, the natural aesthetics of the countryside should not be marred by the modernity of windmills.
3) Wind turbines produce less electricity than fossil fuel facilities.
4) The noise from windmills, similar to a small jet, can be very disturbing to surrounding areas.
5) The initial cost of setting up a windmill is higher than the cost of setting up a fossil fuel facility. Federal tax credits and state incentives reduce this cost, though.
The advantages of solar panels
1) Once installed, the power of the sun is yours to use, for free!
2) Solar energy results in zero pollution after installation – a zero carbon footprint.
3) Due to advances in technology, the returns from solar energy are high compared to cost.
4) Most solar energy systems are zero-maintenance.
5) They have a life span of between 30 and 40 years and have full warranties for a period of between 20 and 30 years.
6) Newer systems are sleeker and fit in well.
7) Solar energy can be used directly for water heating, indoor heating, and outdoor lighting without conversion to energy.
8) Decentralized power with solar panels and self-sufficient houses is a big advantage.
9) The price volatility of fossil fuel markets can be avoided when you use solar energy.
The disadvantages of solar panels
1) The greatest disadvantage of solar panels is that they are unusable at night. Therefore energy produced during the day needs to be stored elsewhere, perhaps in batteries.
2) It is often heard that solar energy is inefficient. However, modern technology is producing more and more solar energy per surface area.
3) Large upfront costs of solar panels are a major hindrance to their widespread use.
4) You need a place with plenty of sunlight for solar power.
5) Bad performance in hot climates.
In the end, which is better – windmills or solar panels – is a difficult question to answer. It depends both on the location and the application. Some locations are better suited for windmills while others are better suited for solar panels. For smaller scale uses of electricity, solar panels are often found to be better while windmills work if you want to add power to the national grid.
Whatever your need, with the improving technology, one of these two systems of natural energy may be the best investment you make, for yourself, the environment, and for society.
About the Author
This is a guest post by Kate Simmons, a part-time guest-blogger and a full-time energy efficiency enthusiast.When not in office, Kate likes to travel a lot; her favourite destinations are the hidden places of Asia and Polynesia.
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