Solar Energy

Community Solar Energy Alternative energy resources are being closely evaluated because of the depletion of nonrenewable resources, such as fossil fuels. Fossil fuels and other nonrenewable resources have damaged earth because of the amount of pollution that is released some, in which is known as Carbon Dioxide. Massive amounts of Carbon Dioxide are that is released into our environment every year further damaging our planet. Scientist has been effectively working on ways of conserving energy that is also affordable and renewable. Alternative energy sources that are also renewable are considered a ‘free’ energy source and can greatly reduce the amount carbon emissions released into the environment. ‘Free’ energy sources such as, Biomass Energy, Wind Energy, Geothermal Energy and Hydroelectric Energy are all vital ways of creating a ‘free’ way of producing energy (Davison, 2012). Solar energy has surpassed and outstood them all by becoming the most resourceful and efficient method renewable energy to date. Fossil fuels are considered a nonrenewable source even though our environment creates it. Fossil fuels take millions of years to form and our reserves are being depleted. There are more being taking from our resources than what is going in back in. According to the US Every Information Administration (EIA), “fossil fuels meet around 82 percent of the U.S. Energy demand” (Institute for Energy Research, 2012). Furthermore makes it the leading consumer product globally, and is one of the harshest on the planet by letting an extreme amount of pollution into the environment. Because of its high demand globally, “78% of our electrical energy needs are met by fossil fuels and nuclear energy” (Quantum Solar Power, 2012). Nonrenewable energy resources are created from fossil fuels including coal, oil and natural gas. These resources are not only difficult and dangerous to retrieve but also expensive as well. Coal in comparison with oil and natural gas

References: Ataei, E. E., Afshari, R. R., & Rahimpour, E. E. (2011). Design and Implementation of an Intelligent Solar Power Plant Based on Fuzzy Logic. International Review Of Automatic Control, 4(6), 938-942. Davison, A. (2012). Solar Power. Retrieved from http://www.altenergy.org/ Energy Saving Trust. (2012). Solar panels (PV). Retrieved from http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-your-own-energy/Solar-panels-PV Institute for Energy Research. (2012, July). Fossil Fuels. Retrieved from http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/energy-overview/fossil-fuels/ Quantum Solar Power. (2012). Solar vs. Fossil Fuels. Retrieved from http://quantumsp.com/en/solar-energy/solar-vs-fossil-fuels/ SunShare LLC. (2012). A new kind of community garden. A new way to go solar... Retrieved from http://www.mysunshare.com/how-community-solar-works SunShot, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). (2012, May 17). A Guide to Community Shared Solar: Utility, Private, and Nonprofit Project Development (Book). Retrieved from http://www.nwseed.org/documents/ComSolarGB_2012.pdf Wiedman, J. F., & Fox, K. T. (2010). Developing Policies to Expand Opportunities in Community Solar. Natural Gas & Electricity, 26(12), 15-20.