2. Garret Erskine: Comparing Clean
Energy Sources
Garret Erskine is an avid proponent of solar energy solutions, and he has
patented his own reflective solar lighting system, the SkyLiter™. Solar energy
is a part of the broader spectrum of exciting clean alternatives to burning
fossil fuels for energy. Here is a side-by-side comparison of three of the most
promising clean energy sources.
3. Garret Erskine: Comparing Clean
Energy Sources
1. Solar. One of the best-known clean energy sources, solar energy is
electricity or heat generated by converting the energy from the sun's rays.
Although photovoltaic (solar electric) energy is the better-known
technology, solar-thermal heating for residential hot water supplies is also
becoming popular. The cost of converting solar energy into useful energy
continues to decrease steadily.
4. Garret Erskine: Comparing Clean
Energy Sources
2. Wind. Wind energy is harvested by huge turbines, set together in areas
known as “wind farms,” that use propellers to turn them. Although wind
energy, like solar, is 100% clean, there are a number of issues still being
worked out with the technology, including noise and vibration from the
turbines, as well as the high initial cost of installing them.
5. Garret Erskine: Comparing Clean
Energy Sources
3. Hydroelectric. Hydroelectric power is generated by turbines that are
turned by the flow of water , usually from a river passing through them.
Some 20% of the world's energy is generated through hydroelectric plants,
and it continues to be a practical choice for development in terms of cost
and availability of resources. However, the damming required for
hydroelectric power on a large scale has led to decades of serious
environmental concerns that engineers are still working to address.
