Is Wind Going Green - Essay Example

This means that wind is going green. This article will discuss how wind energy is said to be going green. Wind energy can be defined as the conversion of kinetic energy to a useful form of power. This is achieved through the use of wind turbines, windmills, and wind pumps. Compared to other energy sources, wind power has several advantages hence; it is a better alternative. Wind energy is plentiful, renewable, produces no emissions, and it is widely distributed (Walker & Jenkins, 1997). Therefore, wind power has no effects on the environment, compared to other sources of energy.

By 2010, wind energy production was over 2.5% world wide. This is a growth of more than 24% per annum. Wind power generation has become a popular energy generation. However, the construction of wind farms is not universally welcomed. Of late, most of the cities in the world have started taking the initiative to go green. Nowadays, it is clearly evident that most commercial buildings have small wind turbines which are used for power generation. These buildings only use renewable sources of power that are naturally found; therefore, they are referred to as green buildings.

The phrase ‘going green’ is now globally recognized as efforts aimed at protecting the depletion of the ozone layer (Rhodes, 2011). Research asserts that state investment tax credits have significantly reduced the burden of individuals who invest in wind power. This credit provided allows the wind investors to reduce their tax obligation by some part of the invested amount in a wind project. A good example of an incentive program is the Orcas Power and Light Cooperative (OPALCO) program (Walker & Jenkins, 1997).

This program offers upfront payments for installation of small wind turbines. Moreover, this program has received an unusually high client participation rate. In the recent past, many states have drawn concerns about utilizing renewable energy. Small