Each Type Of Proposed Renewable Energy Has Its Benefi 498038

Each Type Of Proposed Renewable Energy Has Its Benefits And Drawbacks

Each type of proposed renewable energy has its benefits and drawbacks. For this assignment, select one renewable resource to examine its benefits and drawbacks. Using this module’s readings, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet, respond to the following: Describe the sources of this renewable resource. Explain how this renewable resource is harnessed for energy.

Considering that it takes energy to make energy, identify the kind of energy needed to make electrical energy from this resource. State the average amount of energy this renewable source produces. For example, on average, how much energy does a single wind turbine produce in a year? Or, how much energy does a dam produce in a year? Or, how many wind turbines would be needed to produce the same amount of energy as the average dam?

Compare and contrast the benefits and drawbacks of the renewable energy resource. Support your statements with scholarly references and appropriate examples. Write your initial response in a minimum of 350–400 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Given the associated benefits and drawbacks, explain whether this particular renewable resource was best for your classmate’s community.

How would this renewable energy resource replace the current energy resources in your classmate’s community? What are some reasons why this energy resource not already been harnessed in your classmate’s community? If the renewable energy resource that your classmate described is used to replace the nonrenewable energy sources, who would benefit the most?

Paper For Above instruction

Renewable energy sources are essential components of sustainable development, offering alternatives to finite fossil fuels while reducing environmental impacts. Among these, solar energy stands out due to its abundance, technological maturity, and decreasing costs. This paper evaluates solar energy as a renewable resource, exploring its sources, harnessing methods, energy output, benefits, drawbacks, and its applicability to communities.

Sources and Harnessing of Solar Energy

Solar energy originates from the sun, which releases vast quantities of energy through nuclear fusion processes. This radiant energy reaches the Earth constantly and can be captured using various technologies. The primary method of harnessing solar energy involves photovoltaic (PV) panels, which convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. Another method includes solar thermal systems that use sunlight to generate heat, which then produces electricity through steam turbines.

To produce electricity, solar panels require solar radiation as their primary input, along with converters, inverters, and batteries for storage and distribution. The energy required to manufacture solar panels is significant, encompassing raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, and transportation. However, studies suggest that within 2-4 years of operation, solar panels offset the energy used in their production through the electricity they generate, resulting in a favorable energy return on investment (IRENA, 2019).

Energy Production and Comparative Metrics

On average, a standard residential solar panel system of 5 kilowatts (kW) can produce approximately 6,000 to 8,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, depending on geographic location and weather conditions (NREL, 2020). Larger solar farms can generate hundreds of megawatt-hours (MWh) yearly; for example, a 100-MW solar plant can produce around 180,000 MWh per year. To compare, this is roughly equivalent to the annual energy output of a small coal or natural gas power plant.

For community-scale applications, dozens of solar panels can collectively meet a neighborhood's electricity needs, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. As such, a solar farm's output can replace traditional energy sources like coal, contributing to cleaner energy portfolios and lower greenhouse gas emissions (IPCC, 2018).

Benefits and Drawbacks of Solar Energy

Solar energy’s benefits include its renewable nature, minimal operational emissions, and scalability from small residential systems to large solar farms. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels, thus combating climate change (Ren21, 2021). Furthermore, technological advances have decreased costs significantly over the past decade, making solar increasingly accessible.

However, drawbacks include its intermittency—solar power depends on sunlight availability, leading to fluctuations in energy production—necessitating energy storage solutions or backup systems (Lund et al., 2015). Additionally, manufacturing solar panels involves environmental concerns related to mining and waste disposal, and large solar farms require significant land use, which may impact ecosystems and local communities (Fthenakis, 2018).

Application to Communities and Barriers to Adoption

In many communities, the adoption of solar energy is hindered by factors such as upfront costs, lack of technical knowledge, regulatory hurdles, and limited access to favorable financing options. Despite these challenges, integrating solar power can significantly reduce reliance on nonrenewable sources like coal or natural gas, particularly in sun-rich regions.

For my community, using solar energy could replace aging fossil fuel plants, reduce greenhouse emissions, and promote local economic development through new job opportunities in installation and maintenance. If adopted widely, the greatest beneficiaries would include residents who experience lower electricity costs and reduced health impacts from air pollution.

Conclusion

Solar energy presents a promising renewable resource, with significant environmental and economic benefits. While challenges such as intermittency and initial investments exist, technological innovations and supportive policies can mitigate these barriers. Transitioning to solar power can lead to a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape, directly benefiting communities and the global environment.

References

• Fthenakis, V. (2018). Environmental impacts of solar power. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 81, 764-771.
• International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2018). Global warming of 1.5°C. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
• International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (2019). Renewable energy dispatched in 2019. IRENA.
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). (2020). Solar Resource Data and Reports. NREL Publications.
• Ren21. (2021). Renewables Global Status Report. Ren21.
• Lund, P., et al. (2015). Integrating renewable energy in existing power systems. Energy Policy, 86, 412-422.