The Different Options for Renewable Energy

Jan. 28, 2010 - PRLog -- With modern day concern that global warming is for real there is an increasing demand by business and householders for information on the renewable energy options that are available.

Renewable energy can be described as a form of sustainable energy that is a product of the earths natural environment. Any source of energy that can provide an ongoing flow and/or be replaced by nature falls into the category of renewable energy. Where as fossil fuels are in limited or finite supply, the supply of renewable energy will never be totally exhausted. The various sources of renewable energy include solar, wind, water, biomass, wood waste, geothermal, photovoltaic, and solar thermal energy.

Energy is such an essential requirement of our daily lives that we all have to take it seriously. Energy is needed to provide lighting, heating, air conditioning, cooking, transport and to power all the technologies in the family home or business premises. The benefits of renewable energy can make a real contribution in most of these areas of energy usage.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of such energy is the potential for it to provide clean sources of power generation that is also affordable for both home owners and businesses. Secondly, in the case of solar energy, the maintenance required is low as cleaning of the panels is low cost and relatively easy. Businesses benefit from a clean energy image that renewable presents through its ability to reduce pollution and have a positive effect on the environment. Home owners can benefit from such renewable energy concepts as solar powered lighting for walkways and solar covers on swimming pools.

While particularly in countries with strong sunlight, solar hot water systems are great for a cleaner low cost water heating system. Furthermore, in many areas of the world governments now offer generous rebates for solar energy installations and power generators will often agree to buy excess power from households with their own solar electricity installations.

Many people considering an alternative energy installation may wonder whether to choose solar or wind energy. In the case of businesses, urban locations have a number of problems for wind energy:

- Lack of wind speed

- Council or planning restrictions; and

- Buildings not designed to withstand the level of vibration that wind turbines can cause.

- Suburban and inner city homes face similar problems with wind energy:

- Government planning restrictions

- The unreliability of urban wind speeds and consistency; and

- Structural problems with attachment of wind turbines to a home.

As a result, solar energy through the use of solar panels would be the best option for businesses and home owners alike.

As more people decide to take the initiative and do something to contribute to a greener future, http://app-products-info.webs.com a home with green energy will become a big advantage when selling. International surveys indicate that buyers will pay up to a minimum of 5 per cent more for a home with solar/renewable energy compared to a low energy assessment rating. This is because energy pricing is becoming a real consideration in all areas of construction. This is yet another reason to consider the "benefits of renewable energy" option.

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Anthony P Parker: I have a background in business as well as having worked for a boss in various employment from politics to the civil service. I am currently involved in a consultancy where I advise on business start-ups in the renewable energy and building sectors.