This week we are learning renewable energy. I knew that some are use for house as well as large companies, but I didn't know that there are places that use solar energy that actually generate electricity and power on a much larger scale often enough to satisfy the needs of an entire city or village. An example of a place that uses solar energy on a large scale include the Mojave Desert. The Mojave Desert is located in California and is the world’s largest solar power installation. It generates enough electricity to power the homes of more than half a million people. The maintenance cost is very low, which usually the cost to make the solar panels. Although the state of Illinois is not entirely ecofriendly, some cities are using other alternatives for energy. Solar powered energy is mostly seen in the west coast, but Chicago homeowners and businesses are increasingly turning to solar power.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity sponsors a Solar Energy Rebate Program that reimburses for as much as 30 percent of solar project costs up to $10,000, for photovoltaic and solar thermal systems. What used to be a 60-40 split in favor of solar thermal systems is now the opposite, photovoltaic power systems are gaining popularity.
PROS:
* no pollution
*production of energy is quiet
*ability to harness electricity in remote locations that are not linked to a national grid (space)
*easy area placements such as rooftops
*low cost maintenance (high price installations, but it is payed up in a few years from no light bills)
CONS:
*initial cost is high (some household may require 2 rather than 1)
*weather can affect the efficiency of the solar cells
*electricity is mainly generated during the daytime only
*heavy polluted areas can affect the solar cells efficiency (not good for industrial or major businesses)
What I've enjoyed mostly about my environmental class everything!!! :)
One of the most important issues that concerns me is about our food industry. Yes, we do have the power to eat organic, but not everyone can afford it. I believe one of the reasons why the rate of cancers has increased, is due to the contents of our foods; such as pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, chemicals, some genetically modifications). We need to come up with a better solution, such as more farmers market places. Grow our food locally, build some type of green house that we could grow vegetables in. The government should step in and take part of this. Many will benefit from it and I bet the cancer rates would start to drop.
The most interesting thing that I learned in this class, which made complete sense, was that floods occur from all of the roads that we have developed. I mean, where do we expect the water to go? There are any more dirt roads. The water can't be absorbed by the soil. We are causing all the damage to our selves and it's sad that eventhogh we know what the outcome of building roads could cause, we still continue to build them, because we have become dependent on them and refuse to go back to the old ways, such as public transportation, bike riding, walking, etc...This class has made a great impact in my life, and I will continue to educate or update my self with more environmental knowledge. I will teach my loved ones all that I've learned and will continue to do so. At least I could say, that I TRIED!! :)
