Alternative Energy – An Important Part of Our Future

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By TnFlash

The news is full of information about alternative energy. Whether you have hopped on the alternative energy bandwagon or not, it's definitely not a fad. Alternative energy is the way of the future. Why don't we examine precisely what alternative energy is, why it is essential and how you are able to utilize it to enhance your life as well as the world’s environment?


Wind Turbines
Wind Turbines

Wind Turbines

GudCraft WG400 400 Watt 12-Volt 6-Blade Wind Generator With Charge Controller
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GudCraft 10W 15W Max Vertical Wind Turbine Wind Generator
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FatCat FCP1052 White Solar Rechargeable Desktop Wind Turbine
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Sunforce 45455 Wind Generator 30' Tower Kit
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Thames & Kosmos Wind Power 2.0
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Windmax HY400 500 Watt Max 12-Volt 5-Blade Residential Wind Generator Kit
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What's Green Energy?

Eco-friendly energy is energy that creates little if no by products that damage the environment. For instance, fossil fuels like oil are costly to mine, harmful to the environment during the actual drilling process and produce many toxic byproducts. These very same by products are directly adding to green house gases and climatic change as well as polluting our waterways and air.

Eco-friendly energy, like solar, wind, and geothermal power don't cause destruction of the environment either during their harvesting phase or as a by product. If you use solar cells for instance to store and create energy, you are utilizing energy directly from sunlight. There is no by product created and no waste.


Advantages of Eco-friendly Energy

The advantages of eco-friendly energy are vast. At first you may think about two primary environmental advantages. They include no waste or pollution from your energy sources or emissions. Getting rid of harmful pollutants would significantly improve our planet’s outlook and practically eliminate global warming triggered by green house gases. 

Additionally, eco-friendly energy means no more destruction of the earth as we harvest fossil fuels. No more oil spills, digging in the midst of our pristine wilderness and destroying our natural resources. We are even polluting our waterways.  There are many warnings out about eating certain fish due to the high levels of mercury. Many counties use fish as the main source of meat in their diets. Fish provide a high protein low fat source of food. 

However, beyond the immediate and obvious environmental advantages, over time eco-friendly energy is considerably more economical. Imagine if your entire home ran on energy from direct sunlight?  Just how much per month would that help you save in heating your home and in your utility bill?

Over the course of a year you would save a thousand dollars or maybe more, correct?  How about over the course of 10 years?  Yes, at first it will cost to move your energy supply from fossil fuels to eco-friendly energy resources, but that initial cost is generally paid for within a few years.

Eco-friendly energy is infinitely sustainable and economically sound. That is why it's the wave of the future.


Cost of a Solar System

Utilizing Alternative Energy

The good thing is that alternative energy can be employed in smaller increments. It's not necessary to change your whole home over to sustainable fuel sources in one fell swoop. You can add a few solar power panels, use passive solar, and support environmentally friendly practices. Some energy companies even offer a membership where you can specify a certain amount of your energy come from wind or solar. This depends upon where you live but check it out. Lastly, you can support companies that make use of eco-friendly energy.

It could take a while to spread around the world, however alternative energy is more than a passing phase, it's the wave of the future.


Thin Film Solar

Comments by TnFlash

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Comments

eovery profile image

eovery 2 years ago

I hope these become more feasable. If it wasn't for government funding, these systems would not be economical to use. Hopefully technology will improve. Wind turbines here in Iowa started out at 500 kwatts per unit, but are now up to 1.5 megawatt each, which lowers the cost per kw for installation. But here in North Iowa, they are still building wind turbines, and shutting others down because the transmission lines are overloading. Why build more when we are already overloaded. Sounds like some to do with government.

Keep on hubbing!

BJBenson profile image

BJBenson 2 years ago

I think these are great but they do ruin a good view in some of the places I have seen them around the world. But we need power.

Pamela99 profile image

Pamela99 Level 7 Commenter 2 years ago

This is an interesting article and I think the wave of the future But,they have to become affordable. It is very expensive put solar panels on your roof and I would hope they will be able to produce them at a cheaper rate in the future. Good hub.

lelanew55 profile image

lelanew55 2 years ago

Thank you for a great hub TNflash. You helped me to update my knowledge of this subject. It will be costly at first but it is worth the cost. But anyway as you said it is what has to happen in the near future. We don't have any other choice and it is a good thing.

TnFlash profile image

TnFlash Hub Author 2 years ago

eovery, BJBenson, Pam, & lelanew58 Thanks for the comments! Yes, Alternative energy is still on the expense side. In my humble opinion the way to go would be to start small and add on as time and money permit. I cannot afford a system to totally replace my electric bill but a panel or two will help to start knocking the bill down and would be a starting point.

vox vocis profile image

vox vocis Level 5 Commenter 2 years ago

Renewable energy systems based on wind and solar power are the best invention in the last - don´t know how many years - and I really hope more and more countries will turn to these sources. Wind turbines are very nice to see, especially when it is very windy, and they turn around fast. Indeed, they save a lot of energy and our money too!!!

TnFlash profile image

TnFlash Hub Author 2 years ago

vox vocis, Thanks for the comment! Wind and Solar power will be prominent all over the world soon, except here in the US. Our government is paying lip service to alternate energy but still giving big oil tax breaks and will allow them to drill in the Gulf of Mexico soon.

katiem2 profile image

katiem2 2 years ago

What a great topic! You just keep coming up with such great and informative stuff. I'd love to start up a green company doing this sorta thing, cool :) Peace :)

TnFlash profile image

TnFlash Hub Author 2 years ago

katiem2, Thanks for the comment. Alternative energy is one of my favorite topics.

Becky Puetz profile image

Becky Puetz 16 months ago

I was curious as to the cost of installing solar power to a home and I'm shocked to find that it cost as much as it does. I appreciate you writing on this subject, so that more people can be informed, I especially enjoyed the first video; he laid the cards on the table and told about the complete cost of setting up his system. Hopefully, in the near future, the cost will come down and not be so outrageous. I feel that most people would like to utilize solar energy, if only it were more affordable. I know I would be the first in line. Thanks for an excellent informative Hub.

TnFlash profile image

TnFlash Hub Author 16 months ago

Becky, Currently the cost of solar panels is high due to the cost of manufacturing and installation. As cheaper and better technology evolves the cost should come down considerably. As more contractors become knowledgeable about installation this price will come down also. Power companies are requiring license workers for an on-grid installation.

jwilliford profile image

jwilliford 14 months ago

Alternative energy- I am all for it! It would be really nice if we could find a good replacement for Jet Fuels being used. Their emissions cause so many health issues. Thanks for the post!

TnFlash profile image

TnFlash Hub Author 14 months ago

@jwillford, Thanks for the comment.

bagsofwater profile image

bagsofwater Level 1 Commenter 5 months ago

great stuff TriFlash, alternative energy sources and a devotion to developing all of these would change a lot of lives

homesteadpatch profile image

homesteadpatch Level 4 Commenter 4 months ago

Let's home some day we won't call it "alternative" energy. Hopefully we get to the point where someone generating power for us off site will be considered an "alternative" rather than the norm. Voted up.

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