| We have all heard the analysis about the remaining life | | | | not lucky enough to live in an area blessed with |
| of our oil based energy needs, the earth's consumption | | | | sunshine then it is more likely that the best choice could |
| is continually being pushed higher and higher while at | | | | be wind energy. |
| the same time the supply will eventually run out. There | | | | Some pros of Solar energy are: |
| is conflicting reports about when exactly we will meet | | | | Once installed, relatively low cost to maintain |
| our energy crisis but one thing is for sure, if we do not | | | | If designed well can be less intrusive on the landscape |
| change our behavior we will eventually run out of oil. | | | | or in your garden |
| Ironically the more we are asked to pay for oil then the | | | | Is easily Scalable - you can add additional solar panel |
| more economically it will be for the oil companies to | | | | to increase energy capacity |
| drag it out from further and further inside the earth's | | | | Cons of Solar Energy: |
| core. | | | | May need a battery to store energy during evening or |
| It is incumbent on us all to therefore reduce our own | | | | cloudy conditions |
| reliance on oil based energy. Each of us can put in a | | | | Some pros of Wind energy are: |
| little effort to use renewable energy sources. Wind | | | | More efficient than solar |
| and Wave are effectively free energy sources; all we | | | | Can operate day or night - less downtime |
| have to do is harness then to produce electricity. | | | | Cons of Wind Energy: |
| We all need to decide which type of energy is best | | | | Wind turbines are much more mechanical and |
| suited to our own energy needs and indeed our own | | | | therefore can break down more easily than solar PV |
| location. | | | | panels |
| Both Wind and solar energy have their own pros and | | | | Depending on location, wind can be intermittent |
| cons but really the choice comes down to the | | | | For both wind and solar energy there are much more |
| prevailing conditions at your particular site. For example | | | | positives than negatives, in fact the decision to use |
| if you lived in a valley which was pretty much | | | | either must take into account the possible negative |
| sheltered from the wind then the only real option is | | | | aspects and the user should try to overcome these |
| solar energy. On the other hand (and as an Irish man | | | | by site locations and materials. |
| this generally applies to homes in my county) if you are | | | | |