Renewable energy is a collective term for energy resources that regenerate and are inexhaustible. Most common sources of renewable energy are the sun, wind and water. Using these types of energy resources is a good way to conserve natural resources such as fossil, fuels and oil. These resources are not regenerative and may be depleted, although the timeline is still unknown.
In the past, the main source of renewable energy has been the sun. Large windows have been used to collect heat from the sun while wide and mud walls collect and trap heat for use during the cold winter nights. Today, although the concept may be the same, advances in technology play a big role in effectively trapping heat for use in electrical appliances.
In Arizona, the main focus of renewable energy is the sun since it benefits from more sunny days compared to most states. The solar energy from the sun is used to heat water and power household heating system for cooler months, instead of common energy resources such as fuel, natural gas and oil. Using solar power has a two-fold effect to the community of Arizona: first, the harmful effects of the use of oil and fuel are reduced and second, exhaustible energy resources are conserved.
Residential Solar Energy Systems
Most homes in Arizona now have solar panels, which are contraptions that trap heat from the sun. Solar panels then turns heat into direct current which is in turn converted to alternating current or AC in the system.
Alternating current can be utilized by electrical appliances and batteries which can be used during blackouts or at night. The drawback with using solar panels is that it cannot be used at night or in instances when there is no sunlight. Also, it cannot serve as a heating system unless you have an electrically powered heating system.
Commercial Electric Companies Going Green
Utility companies in Arizona commissioned studies to determine the types and amount of renewable energy available in the state. Aside from solar energy, Arizona has the capacity to produce more than 25,000 megawatts of electricity from wind energy, especially in northern Arizona.
Currently, these utility companies are offering renewable energy or green choices to its community. One of these utility companies is the Arizona Public Service or APS which offers the community choices between different packages of solar, wind and geothermal resources.
The Arizona community are given three options for source of electricity. Two of these green choices are a combination of three energy resources while the third choice is a power package that comes from pure solar energy only.
Using green choices or renewable energy resources is not only a great way to conserve exhaustible resources but a good way to avoid their harmful effects as well. The use of coal and oil has harmful effects to the environment and even related to global warming. And since green choices are renewable, we are ensured of a life-time supply of these types of energy sources provided that technology and funds needed to harvest them are available.
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