What Is Better: Solar Energy Or Wind Energy

This is a question that is being asked not only by those who have committed to a green lifestyle but also by those who are just starting out. The zealous want to get of on the right foot and they feel this is as good a place as any to start. Certain states have even mandated the use of clean energy sources to be used by local utilities. They set in motion a mandate that requires a percentage of all the power created for public consumption is made from clean energy sources.

There are advantages to both and also disadvantages with both. The biggest disadvantage for both is the high cost of producing it. Coal remains by far the cheapest way to create energy. But if you cut the cost of the building and maintenance of the coal plants you will see that it cost a lot of time and money to get the entire country electrified in the first place. If the project were to be spread out over a number of years the cost would not seem quite as great.

Wind and solar power are also not quite as available as other sources. We cannot accurately predict when the sun will be shining. Oh, the meteorologist are good at what they do but there are always those freakish days that no one ever suspects.

Then there is the fact that wind is dependent on the sun, which makes it a form of solar energy as well. The wind flows in currents created by the sun heating the atmosphere in some place a few degrees more than in others. To harness the energy of the wind requires that we build very tall turbines that work a lot like windmills. The turning of the turbines create a kinetic energy, this is then converted into mechanical energy and finally electricity.

The heat ( energy) from the sun is collected by photovoltaic panels, and is turned into DC electricity that needs to sent to an inverter to transform it into the usable AC electricity required by most homes.The biggest obstacle is not that one is a better form of energy than the other. The factor that has kept both of these as alternative energy sources instead of he main source is the cost factor. Companies do not see it as being very cost effective and if it doesn't make a profit they aren't really interested in pursuing it.

Solar power does have one factor that stands out above wind power and that there is sunshine all over the world. There is always some sun somewhere. Solar energy can power everything from a solar fountain to a solar powered sprinkler system driven by a chain of rain barrels. There are days when the winds do not blow. We have attempted to give you enough information for you to decide for yourself which you think is better.

source: http://EzineArticles.com/6245647