The Benefits of Solar and Wind Power for New England

Abundant


-Solar and wind energy are widely distributed across the planet, unlike fossil fuels or rivers by which hydroelectric power is generated. 

-Although New England does not receive tremendous amounts of solar energy, the amounts are enough to generate significant amounts of energy.

-Germany is the leading installer of photovoltaic panels worldwide, and New England receives significantly more sunlight than Germany. Therefore, solar power is feasible in New England.

 -New England receives some of the strongest prevailing winds across the United States, particularly off the coasts. 



Renewable


-Unlike fossil fuels or uranium, solar power comes from the energy provided to our planet by the sun, which will not extinguish for another 5 billion years.

 -The sun drives the convection currents which create wind, so wind power will remain as long as there is the sun. 

 -Cannot be used up or consumed - limitless amounts of sunlight and wind. 






Clean and Emission Free


 -Solar and wind energy release no toxic chemicals or pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur oxide.

 -Do not rely on the combustion of fossil fuels to generate power. Coal fired plants release additional emissions of fly ash and mercury which are very harmful to the environment. 

 -Do not create radioactive waste as nuclear power plants do. 


Minimal Impacts of Construction on Environment

 -Solar panels fit onto the roofs of homes and businesses, and do not massively affect wildlife as hydroelectric dams or coal mines do.

 -Solar power plants, such as the Nellis Solar Power Plant in Nevada (area = 0.57 km2), consist of rows of photovoltaic panels or solar concentrator troughs which have few impacts on the area and do not release toxic chemicals. 

  -Solar cells are long lasting and require little maintenance.

 -Wind turbines have been shown in studies to have minimal effects on the surrounding wildlife. Bird and bat deaths caused by the turbines are being studied by companies to correct the problem.

 -when compared to the combustion of fossil fuels, wind and solar energy have very few detrimental effects.

-No risks associated from power generation, unlike the potential for a nuclear meltdown possessed by nuclear plants.


Easily Connected to Existing Power Grid


-Solar panels installed on top of individual houses or businesses are linked to the energy grid, and therefore homes can receive energy from power companies even during cloudy periods. Also, if excessive energy is produced from solar panels, this energy can be transferred to other homes in the area and the owner of the panels will be reimbursed.

- Energy collected can be stored in large batteries for use during cloudy periods. A workhouse battery stores up to 50 kilowatt hours of power, enough to power a home for a month.

 -Solar panels can be installed in increments as a community grow to meet the growing demand for power. 

 -Wind farms are also attached to the power grid, and in some cases provide for an entire area's energy needs.

 -Wind turbines can be used residentially as well, and are often seen on farms. 



Economics

 -Solar and Wind generated power are expensive to install, but save large amounts of money over the long run.

 -Do not require materials mined and refined for power generation (such as coal, uranium). Wind and sunlight are free.

 -Wind and sunlight are plentiful in New England and do not have to be shipped in from other areas, like fossil fuels are. 


Politics

-The use of wind and solar power in New England would reduce America's dependence on foreign oil for heating homes,  as well as coal and natural gas for power generation. 

 -This way, if other countries stopped their exports of fossil fuels to our country, our infrastructure would not collapse.