Solar Panels and Wind Fans - Essay Example

The free electrons move into a circuit all through a module of 60 cells, and they flow back through a solid contact layer into the cell at the bottom. The flow creates a closed circuit of electricity (Boxwell, 2010).

A solar panel has various advantages. It provides free and clean energy that is environment-friendly and available in any place with sunlight. Unlike generators for electricity, solar panels produce no noise and emissions that pollute the environment. Solar panels are less expensive with lower operating and maintenance costs than renewable energy systems (Rassie, 2002). On the other hand, solar panels bear some disadvantages. Solar panels are normally very delicate and can be easily damaged compared to other energy systems. They also require more equipment such as an inverter to convert direct electricity to alternating current to aid electricity usage on the power network. The energy from solar panels is more inclined to intermittent issues due to unpredictable weather. During cloudy and rainy weather, solar energy using home may run short of energy. Therefore, these issues make this energy unreliable.

Fan energy: Long before the 20th century, wind turbines were used to harness the force of the wind to grind grain and pump water. With the advancement of technology, giant fans are made today to produce electricity. On top of every wind turbine, there is a box called a nacelle with three blades attached to it. These propeller-like blades connect to the rotor. Also, there is an anemometer on the nacelle to measure wind direction and speed. During the windy periods, the wind rotates the nacelle to face the direction of the wind. The kinetic energy from the wind (wind energy) turns the blades to create mechanical energy around the rotor. This rotor is connected to a shaft that rises from the generator housing - where a magnetic rotor rotates inside the loops made of copper wire. The magnetism and movement inside the loops cause electrons to flow inside the cooper, creating electrical energy - electricity (Moselle, Padilla & Schmalensee, 2010).

The generation of electricity from wind energy does not cause air pollution like in the case of fuel energy. Wind turbines are very tall, and the land where they are located can be used for farming. Wind farms form interesting landscapes and can attract tourists to the region. Unlike fuel energy, wind energy is free to harness and in case of a breakdown, no experts are required to repair the system. The wind energy system is affordable and cheap to maintain compared to fuel energy. Fan energy has various disadvantages. The wind turbines used are very noisy and disturb people who reside around. The generation of electricity depends entirely on the presence of the wind as well as its strength. There is no electricity produced in calm weather. A flat location is required to harness the wind energy – hilly regions are not suitable for setting up a wind power system. A large tract of land is needed to produce a large amount of electricity from wind energy (Wagner & Mathur, 2013).