The first step toward a brighter, eco-friendlier future is understanding the different types of clean energy. Allow this article to serve as your guide.
Renewable energy has become an increasingly important issue in recent years. In fact, many homes and corporations now prioritize using sustainable energy sources for their daily operations. Luckily, there are many different types of clean energy that make it much easier for individuals to make the switch to a more environmentally friendly future. This guide to understanding the different types of clean energy explores the most common clean energy sources currently in use and the benefits each brings to the table.
Solar energy
Solar power is one of the most common types of clean energy currently in use, and with good reason. Solar panels utilize silicon photovoltaic cells to transform sunlight into usable electricity, whether that’s in the form of heat, hot water, or light. Solar power is often the most accessible form of clean energy, and more and more people are now using it to power their own homes. One major benefit of solar panels is that they’re very sustainable options throughout the course of their long lifespans. Once they’re no longer in working condition and they can no longer produce clean energy, most solar panels can be recycled completely. A solar panel must first be broken down into its base materials of glass, plastic, metal, and silicon, which can then be safely recycled and put to use in other products. However, the process to break down a solar panel can be quite complex, so it should always be completed by a professional. Recycling the elements used in a solar panel reduces the amount of waste deposited in landfills each year.
Wind energy
Wind turbines are common sights in many rural towns across the United States. Wind energy is most commonly used in industrial settings, though some people may also use small turbines to help power their homes. Rural wind farms are commonly used to power many different organizations in a community simultaneously. Wind energy is an entirely clean energy source, and it produces no air pollution. Because wind turbines don’t produce carbon dioxide or release any other harmful products, this form of clean energy is one of the least harmful to the environment.
Hydropower
Water has been used to power technology for many years, from water mills to old-fashioned riverboats. Today, water is used to create clean energy in the form of hydropower. The most well-known application for this type of clean energy is dams. The water that flows through the dam’s turbines produces pumped-storage hydropower, which can be used to power a variety of projects. Hydropower is very versatile, and it can be used in small and large projects, as is the case with the Hoover Dam.