Renewable Energy Essay

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Question 1: How does solar energy compare with fossil fuel energy in satisfying basic energy needs? What are the three fundamental problems in harnessing solar energy? Solar energy basically does the same as fossil fuel in providing for and satisfying basic energy needs. Example, flat plate collectors are used in warm climates to collect the suns heat and store it to be used to warm up water, solar energy can also be used and converted to provide electricity. Solar energy is more cost efficient and cleaner than the use of fossil fuels. Due to the limited supplies of fossil fuels and the polluting impacts on global climates and the air, a renewable energy future is absolute essential(Wright and Boorse). Much of the worlds required energy can be supplied directly by solar power. The biggest difference between solar energy and fossil fuel is that solar energy has not been stored in the form of chemical energy as it has been for fossil fuels. The three fundamental problems with solar energy are: collection, solar energy is widely scattered and so large areas must be covered for collection. (Wright and Boorse). Conversion: converting the energy into one that can be used example for electricity. Storage: solar energy is not constantly around. It is only available during the day; if it is cloudy or overcast, there is no sunlight to be exposed, therefore a way to collect the sun energy to be used on those days have to be put in place. Question: In your opinion, from what sources does a sustainable society obtain its energy needs? Taking into consideration conventional and alternative sources, discuss each in its long term sustainability. In a sustainable society, the sources that energy is obtained from are renewable energy sources. The sun, the wind, geothermal, and water. Solar energy: The Sun will exist for a long time, but at any given place on the Earth's surface

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