Solar Power vs Wind Power for Individuals - Henrik Frank

Is it a better solution for “carbon neutral” homes to utilize on-site solar or

wind power or should these be provided in

commercial scale farms.By Henrik Frank

IntroductionWhy compare these two energy sources?

Many factors which are still debatableWhich of these two energy sources is more available?

Which is more landscape competent?

Which is more efficient?

Misinformation about both energy resourcesIt is claimed that wind turbines cause noise and disturb nearby residents (Wind

power)

Wind turbines accused of harming bats and bird populations of the locality (Wind power)

Higher number of birds are killed by other factors such as power lines, cars and high rise buildings. (www.conserve-energy-future.com/various-wind-energy-facts.php)

It’s a bad Investment (Solar power)

It destroys roofs (Solar power)

Cloudy days mean power outages (Solar power)

http://longhornsolar.com/five-common-myths-about-solar-power



Issues of wind and solar power Wind Power disadvantages:

Expensive to buildHigh testing costsNeed large production sites

Unreliable energy (wind is not constant)Need transformer to transform the

inconstant energy into socket energyVisual and noise pollution

Placed at natural sites Up to 70 dB loud

Safety hazardFor birds and low altitude aircrafts

High manufacturing pollutionHigh maintenance costs

For checking the device

Solar Power disadvantages:Installing solar panels on a house is

expensive and requires experienced people

Often too expensive for the average homeowner

Giant solar farms built in desert regions Far away from area where power is

needed, therefore expensive transmission lines are needed

High maintenance costs and timesSolar panel must be kept clean and clear

of debris for them to operate at their most efficient.

The efficiency of solar cells currently ranges from around 20% up to a top range of around 40%

Article 1: Reasons to be cheerful: a full switch to low-carbon energy is in sight

Change between past and nowUnthinkable technology developmentRenewable energy seemed inaccessible

Due to the lack of technologyAnd the high costs

Solar Power costs around the world fell 15% in 2016

Problems of one individualThe end consumer does not often really think about how to minimize their footprintPeople were not very optimistic about renewable energy, because it was very expensive and inconvenient

Storage of energyThe storage technology of electrons is not yet properly developedWind and solar power are not consistent

Author / Date: Chris Goodall, 19 Jan. 2017Citation: Goodall, Chris. "Reasons to Be Cheerful: A Full Switch to Low-carbon Energy Is in Sight."The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 19 Jan. 2017. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.

<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/19/reasons-to-be-cheerful-full-switch-low-carbon-energy-in-sight#img-1>.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/19/reasons-to-be-cheerful-full-switch-low-carbon-energy-in-sight#img-1

Article 2: Solar power cheaper than fossil fuels in most

capital cities: Climate Council

Solar power costs Fall a further 40% - 70% by 2040 "In Australia, solar is now cheaper than new fossil fuels and nuclear power”

Advantages of Solar PowerHigher usage at lower costsSolar power developed to power in 600,000 householdsSolar power was more secure from extreme weather eventsSolar Panels 30% at home roofsClimate councillor Andrew Stock said:

Solar power is cheaperHas no fuel costsIs non-pollutingWill be a key of Australia's future

World DistributionChina, the US and Japan at the forefront of solar technology20 solar power plants in Australia slated to be built

Author / Date: Michael Collett, 23 Feb. 2017Citation: Collett, Michael. "Solar Power 'cheaper than Fossil Fuels in Most Capital Cities'." ABC News. N.p., 23 Feb. 2017. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.

<http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-23/solar-power-cheaper-than-coal-climate-council-finds/8296232>.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-23/solar-power-cheaper-than-coal-climate-council-finds/8296232

Article 3: How Australia can become a renewable energy superpower

Renewable power growthEstimated Growth: $US 390 billion in 2013, to $US 2.3 trillion by 2035

To limit the global warming to 2°CDuring the energy transition phase it would be the best opportunity to change from non- to renewable energyA higher competitor to non-renewable energy industries

Non-renewable industries changeProblems such as global warming increased rapidlyThe temperature overshoot the 2C targetFossil fuel resources are “fast” disappearingHigh costs

Author / Date: Sophie Vorrath, 19 Oct. 2015Citation: Vorrath, Sophie. "How Australia Can Become a Renewable Energy Superpower." Renew Economy. N.p., 19 Oct. 2015. Web. 27 Mar. 2017.

<http://reneweconomy.com.au/how-australia-can-become-a-renewable-energy-superpower-35215/>.

http://reneweconomy.com.au/how-australia-can-become-a-renewable-energy-superpower-35215/

Australia's Renewable Energy

AdvantagesAbundant

Low-cost renewable energy

Land availability

Proximity to the emerging Asian

Australia has one of the best renewable energy resources in the world

DisadvantagesOutdated and gold-plated electricity

network has acted as a ball and chain to progress.

Fossil fuel resources are fast disappearing


Most potential in:● Australia● Generally in Africa

○ North-East Africa● Chile



Article 4: Energy alternatives: Electricity without Carbon

Capacity for wind power:The United States added 5.3 gigawatts of wind capacity in 2007

35% of the country's new generating capacity Has another 225 gigawatts in the planning stages

According to the Global Wind Energy Council, global capacity has risen by nearly 25% in the past five years

Wind Power Monthly estimates that the world's installed capacity for wind as of January 2008 was 94 gigawatts. If growth continued at 21%, that figure would triple over six years.

Author: Quirin Schiermeier, 13 August 2008Citation: Schiermeier, Quirin, Jeff Tollefson, Tony Scully, Alexandra Witze, and Oliver Morton. "Energy Alternatives: Electricity without Carbon." Nature News. Nature Publishing Group, 13 Aug. 2008. Web. 29 Mar. 2017. <http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080813/full/454816a.html>.

http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080813/full/454816a.html


Costs for wind power:Installation costs onshore around $1.8 million per megawattInstallation costs offshore between $2.4 million and $3 million per

megawatt$0.05–0.09 per kilowatt-hour (1981: $0.40 per kwh)

Competition to coal




Capacity for solar power:Solar photovoltaic panel can convert 20-30% of the energy of

sunlight into useable electricity;Solar currently has the lowest capacity factor, at about 14%.Earth receives about 100,000 TW of solar power at its surfaceEnough energy every hour to supply humanity's energy needs for a

year. The world's entire primary energy needs could be served by less

than a tenth of the area of the Sahara.


Costs for solar power:Manufacturing cost of solar cells is currently US$1.50–2.50 for a

watt's worth of generating capacityInstallation costs are extra

The price of a full system is normally about twice the price of the cells.

Photovoltaic solar power: $0.25–0.40 per kilowatt-hourConcentrated solar thermal power: about $0.17 per kwh


Britain Energy Consumption vs Solar CoverageIn Britain one might expect an annual insolation of about 1,000 kilowatt-hours per metre on a south-facing panel tilted to take account of latitude: at 10% efficiency, that means more than 60 square metres per person would be needed to meet current UK electricity consumption.



Article 5: Wind Turbines versus Solar Panels (?)

ApplicationWind power is better in commercial scale power production than solar

powerLarge scale wind turbines are efficient and effectiveAt various location; far out to seaModern turbines are virtually silent Wind turbines are needed to be mounted high upAre often too loud for householdsGreat for small boats

Author: Michael Boxwell (No Date named)Citation: Boxwell, Michael. "Wind Turbines vs Solar Panels." Wind Turbines vs Solar Panels. Solarelectricity Handbook, n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2017. <http://solarelectricityhandbook.com/Solar-Articles/wind-turbines.html>.

http://solarelectricityhandbook.com/Solar-Articles/wind-turbines.html

Article 5: Wind Turbines versus Solar Panels

PowerWind power needs constant wind to produce efficient energySmall wind turbines start generating electricity at around 8 km/hLargest wind power systems can generate 2 megawatts (power over

2,000 homes)

Author: Michael BoxwellCitation: Boxwell, Michael. "Wind Turbines vs Solar Panels." Wind Turbines vs Solar Panels. Solarelectricity Handbook, n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2017. <http://solarelectricityhandbook.com/Solar-Articles/wind-turbines.html>.



LocationWind turbines are very site specificSituated where more wind is blowingNeed to watch out against turbulent airWind power works best near coastNeed to watch out against turbulent air




Stating the obviousA solar panel can generate electricity during the daytime when the

wind is not blowing.Some concentrated solar thermal systems get around this by storing up

heat during the day for use at night (molten salt is one possible storage medium)

A small wind turbine can generate electricity in a breeze when the sun's not shining





Unsuitable location:● Near to tree● Not high enough● To close to roof● Neighbouring properties

● Too loud; can be heard through roof


Main obstacles and issues

Finding hard data of individual homes

To answer the question and not to fade

Handling bias data of authors and not mixing them up

Having good facts supporting my argument

Resources"Problems With Solar Energy - Why It Is Not More Widely Used." Solar Power. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2017. <

http://www.solarpoweristhefuture.com/problems-with-solar-energy.shtml>.

Frank, Henrik. "Energy Source: Wind." Google Docs. N.p., 14 Mar. 2017. Web. 27 Mar. 2017. <https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1b3SCGLEAVf20FcYDZX1xh8Alu7FlI-qMCIxH6qI8mRM/edit#slide=id.p3>.

"Wind Energy Basics." Wind Energy Basics. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2017. <http://windeis.anl.gov/guide/basics/>.

"Solar Power | Environment." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2017. <https://www.theguardian.com/environment/solarpower>.

Imboden, Photograph By Otis. "Solar Power Has Benefits as a Source of Alternative Energy." Solar Power Has Benefits as a Source of Alternative Energy. N.p., 24 Mar. 2017. Web. 27 Mar. 2017. <http://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/solar-power/>.

"35 Facts About Wind Energy." Conserve Energy Future. N.p., 05 Jan. 2017. Web. 27 Mar. 2017. <http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/various-wind-energy-facts.php>.

Rinkesh. "40 Facts About Solar Energy." Conserve Energy Future. N.p., 24 Dec. 2016. Web. 27 Mar. 2017. <http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/various-solar-energy-facts.php>.

Boxwell, Michael. "Wind Turbines vs Solar Panels." Wind Turbines vs Solar Panels. Solarelectricity Handbook, n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2017. <http://solarelectricityhandbook.com/Solar-Articles/wind-turbines.html>.

Schiermeier, Quirin, Jeff Tollefson, Tony Scully, Alexandra Witze, and Oliver Morton. "Energy Alternatives: Electricity without Carbon." Nature News. Nature Publishing Group, 13 Aug. 2008. Web. 29 Mar. 2017. <http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080813/full/454816a.html>.

Vorrath, Sophie. "How Australia Can Become a Renewable Energy Superpower." Renew Economy. N.p., 19 Oct. 2015. Web. 27 Mar. 2017. <http://reneweconomy.com.au/how-australia-can-become-a-renewable-energy-superpower-35215/>.

http://www.solarpoweristhefuture.com/problems-with-solar-energy.shtml

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1b3SCGLEAVf20FcYDZX1xh8Alu7FlI-qMCIxH6qI8mRM/edit#slide=id.p3

http://windeis.anl.gov/guide/basics/

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/solarpower

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/solar-power/

http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/various-wind-energy-facts.php

http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/various-solar-energy-facts.php



http://reneweconomy.com.au/how-australia-can-become-a-renewable-energy-superpower-35215/